You are starting with an individual who has a total fluid volume of 3 liters (L)

Question

You are starting with an individual who has a total fluid volume of 3 liters (L) with an osmolarity of 280 milliosmoles (mOsM; mOsm/L). The fluid is divided among the body compartments such that the extracellular fluid (ECF) contains 1 L and the intracellular fluid (ICF) contains 2 L. the individual received a 1 L of 450 mOsM intravenous (IV) solution containing equal parts of saline (NaCl) and dextrose (a penetrating sugar).

a.) Identify whether the IV solution was hyposmolar, isosmolar or hyperosmolar. Briefly defend your answer.

b.) Identify whether the IV solution was hypotonic, isotonic or hypertonic. Briefly defend your answer.

Explanation / Answer

As intravenous (IV) solution contains equal parts of saline (NaCl) and dextrose (a penetrating sugar), the osmolarity will be 450 mOsM/2 = 225 mOsM

The osmolarity of intracellular fluid (ICF) of the body is 280 mOsM which is higher than the osmolality of IV solution, hence, the IV solution is hypertonic.

Similarly, the IV solution is hyperosmolar as plasma osmolality is high.

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