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Crystalloids

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Crystalloids are a type of fluid and electrolytes therapy. They are water and salt solution that is made up of small molecules that may be dextrose or non-dextrose. The small molecules make it easier for its solution to transfer from the blood into the cells and body tissue and may increase the fluid volume in both interstitial and intravascular spaces. A crystalloids solution can be hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic. Hypotonic solutions are a diluted solution made up of mostly water with very little particles. They are used to treat patient with conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state that leads to intracellular dehydration. Once it enters into the body it works by the process of osmosis causing water to leave an area of low concentration to high concentration. The types of hypotonic solutions …show more content…

Women also have less body water than men and increase body fat can decrease water in the body. Assess patient vital before, during and after administration of a crystalloid IV therapy. Continuously monitor labs values (i.e. serum electrolytes) and notify the PCP of critical lab value. The nurse should assess catheter site for signs of infiltration or other complication. Priority nursing diagnoses include fluid volume excess, deficient Fluid Volume or water intoxication. When caring for patients, the nurse should plan to monitor weight daily and monitor for edema and dehydration. Educate the patients and their families about signs and symptoms of volume overload and dehydration, and instruct the patient to notify the nurse if they develop breathing or if they feel their heart is beating very fast, difficulties, swallowing, feel dizzy or malaise. The nurse should also elevate for the effectiveness of

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