Dehydration in Children
Dehydration in Children ( 29 Questions)
The nurse is preparing to start an intravenous (IV) infusion.
Which of the following IV fluids is the most appropriate for this client?
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl). Rationale: Normal saline is the most appropriate choice for a client with dehydration and hyponatremia. It provides a balanced solution with sodium and chloride, which can help correct hyponatremia and rehydrate the client. It is an isotonic solution and is commonly used for fluid resuscitation.
Half normal saline (0.45% NaCl). Rationale: Half normal saline is also an isotonic solution, but it contains less sodium than normal saline. In a case of hyponatremia, it's better to use a solution with a higher sodium concentration, making choice A (normal saline) more appropriate.
Lactated Ringer’s. Rationale: Lactated Ringer's is another isotonic solution, but it may not be the best choice for a client with hyponatremia. It contains lactate, which can be metabolized to bicarbonate, potentially worsening the client's hyponatremia. Therefore, it's not the most appropriate option in this case.
D5W (5% dextrose in water). Rationale: D5W is a hypotonic solution and should not be used for rehydration in a client with hyponatremia. It can exacerbate the electrolyte imbalance and is not suitable for addressing dehydration.
Choice A rationale:
Normal saline (0.9% NaCl).
Rationale: Normal saline is the most appropriate choice for a client with dehydration and hyponatremia.
It provides a balanced solution with sodium and chloride, which can help correct hyponatremia and rehydrate the client.
It is an isotonic solution and is commonly used for fluid resuscitation.
Choice B rationale:
Half normal saline (0.45% NaCl).
Rationale: Half normal saline is also an isotonic solution, but it contains less sodium than normal saline.
In a case of hyponatremia, it's better to use a solution with a higher sodium concentration, making choice A (normal saline) more appropriate.
Choice C rationale:
Lactated Ringer’s.
Rationale: Lactated Ringer's is another isotonic solution, but it may not be the best choice for a client with hyponatremia.
It contains lactate, which can be metabolized to bicarbonate, potentially worsening the client's hyponatremia.
Therefore, it's not the most appropriate option in this case.
Choice D rationale:
D5W (5% dextrose in water).
Rationale: D5W is a hypotonic solution and should not be used for rehydration in a client with hyponatremia.
It can exacerbate the electrolyte imbalance and is not suitable for addressing dehydration.