How does hypotonic solution work

Because hypotonic solutions have the potential to cause sudden fluid shifts from blood vessels into cells, don't administer them indefinitely. Stop infusing a hypotonic solution once the patient can drink enough to meet his fluid needs. Failing to do so could cause cardiovascular collapse from intravascular fluid depletion and increased ICP from fluid shift into brain cells. Don't give hypotonic fluids to patients already at risk for increased ICP, such as those being treated for stroke or head trauma and those who've had neurosurgery.

Also avoid giving hypotonic solutions to patients at risk for third-space fluid shifts, such as those with severe burns, traumatic injuries, or low-serum protein levels from malnutrition or liver disease. When they shrink at the I. Hypertonic solutions, used to help reestablish equilibrium in electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, include electrolyte replacement solutions and parenteral nutrition solutions.

If you're unsure of a solution's final concentration, check with your pharmacy. Closely monitor any patient receiving a hypertonic solution for circulatory overload.

Don't give hypertonic solutions to a patient with any condition that causes cellular dehydration, such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Nor should any patient with impaired heart or kidney function receive an infusion of hypertonic solution-his system just can't handle the extra fluid. Infusion Nurses Society. Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice. Norwood Mass. Kee JL. Stamford, Conn. Weinstein S. Philadelphia, Pa.

All rights reserved. And if the water starts to move into the red blood cells, then those red blood cells can swell like water balloons! Too much hypotonic fluid, and those red blood cells will start popping like water balloons, too. If a patient has diabetic ketoacidosis, their bloodstream is going to be overfilled with ketones and glucose, making it relatively hypertonic compared to normal blood.

Starting to see a pattern here? The red blood cells in particular are concerning, because they are basically swimming in a hypertonic solution… and you only have to take one look at what happens to an egg placed in hypertonic solution to see that it is not a good situation!

Just like the egg, water will soon start exiting the red blood cells. Without any intervention, they will become severely dehydrated and likely start dying. In order to correct this imbalance, we might choose to administer a hypotonic IV solution with the intention of diluting the bloodstream and ultimately driving the water back into the red blood cells. This will cause water to start moving back into the red blood cells via osmosis. Typically, if a patient needs a hypotonic solution then they will receive 0.

This happens when patients develop diabetic ketoacidosis DKA or hyperosmolar hyperglycemia. Important : Watch out for depleting the circulatory system of fluid since you are trying to push extracellular fluid into the cell to re-hydrate it. Never give hypotonic solutions to patient who are at risk for increased cranial pressure can cause fluid to shift to brain tissue , extensive burns , trauma already hypovolemic etc.

When hypertonic solutions are used very cautiously…. In addition, it is prefered to give hypertonic solutions via a central line due to the hypertonic solution being vesicant on the veins and the risk of infiltration. Disclosure and Privacy Policy This website provides entertainment value only, not medical advice or nursing protocols.