IV Solution Cheat Sheet Type Description Osmolality Use Miscellaneous 0.9% NaCl in Isotonic Increases Replaces losses without Water circulating altering fluid concentrations. (308 mOsm) plasma volume Crystalloid Helpful for Na+ replacement Normal Saline when red cells Solution (NS) are adequate 0.45% NaCl in Hypotonic Raises total Useful for daily maintenance Water fluid volume of body fluid, but is of less value (154 mOsm) for replacement of NaCl deficit. Crystalloid 1/2 Normal Solution Helpful for establishing renal Saline (1/2 function. NS) Fluid replacement for clients who don’t need extra glucose (diabetics) Normal saline Isotonic Replaces fluid Normal saline with K+, with and buffers pH Ca++, and lactate (buffer) (275 mOsm) Lactated electrolytes and Often seen with surgery Ringer’s (LR) buffer Dextrose 5% in Isotonic (in Raises total Provides 170-200 water the bag) fluid volume. calories/1,000cc for energy. Crystalloid Helpful in Physiologically hypotonic solution hypotonic rehydrating -the dextrose is metabolized D5W and excretory quickly so that only water (260 mOsm) purposes. remains - a hypotonic fluid Dextrose 5% in Hypertonic Replaces fluid Watch for fluid volume 0.9% saline sodium, overload (560 mOsm) D5NS chloride, and calories. Dextrose 5% in Hypertonic Useful for daily Most common postoperative 0.45% saline maintenance of fluid (406 mOsm) body fluids and D5 1/2 NS nutrition, and for rehydration. Dextrose 5% in Hypertonic Same as LR for fluid volume Lactated plus provides overload (575 mOsm) D5LR Ringer’s about 180 calories per 1000cc’s. Normosol Isotonic Replaces fluid pH 7.4 and buffers pH (295 mOsm) Contains sodium, chloride, calcium, potassium and Normosol-R magnesium Common fluid for OR and PACU
IV Solution Cheat Sheet Type Description Osmolality Use Miscellaneous Normal Saline (NS) 0.9% NaCl in Water Crystalloid Solution Isotonic (308 mOsm) Increases circulating plasma volume when red cells are adequate Replaces losses without altering fluid concentrations. Helpful for Na+ replacement 1/2 Normal Saline (1/2 NS) 0.45% NaCl in Water Crystalloid Solution Hypotonic (154 mOsm) Raises total fluid volume Useful for daily maintenance of body fluid, but is of less value for replacement of NaCl deficit. Helpful for establishing renal function. Fluid replacement for clients who don’t need extra glucose (diabetics) Lactated Ringer’s (LR) Normal saline with electrolytes and buffer Isotonic (275 mOsm) Replaces fluid and buffers pH Normal saline with K+, Ca++, and lactate (buffer) Often seen with surgery D5W Dextrose 5% in water Crystalloid solution Isotonic (in the bag) hypotonic (260 mOsm) Raises total fluid volume. Helpful in rehydrating and excretory purposes. Provides 170-200 calories/1,000cc for energy. Physiologically hypotonic -the dextrose is metabolized quickly so that only water remains - a hypotonic fluid D5NS Dextrose 5% in 0.9% saline Hypertonic (560 mOsm) Replaces fluid sodium, chloride, and calories. Watch for fluid volume overload D5 1/2 NS Dextrose 5% in 0.45% saline Hypertonic (406 mOsm) Useful for daily maintenance of body fluids and nutrition, and for rehydration. Most common postoperative fluid D5LR Dextrose 5% in Lactated Ringer’s Hypertonic (575 mOsm) Same as LR plus provides about 180 calories per 1000cc’s. for fluid volume overload Normosol-R Normosol Isotonic (295 mOsm) Replaces fluid and buffers pH pH 7.4 Contains sodium, chloride, calcium, potassium and magnesium Common fluid for OR and PACU