Tag: Intravenous fluid

While it may seem intuitive to use common intravenous fluids like normal saline (NS) or lactated Ringer’s (LR) to treat hypernatremia, neither is the primary choice for correcting the elevated sodium level. The therapeutic strategy depends heavily on the patient's volume status and requires a different approach using hypotonic solutions to safely restore fluid balance and lower sodium levels.

Intravenous fluids are broadly classified into crystalloids and colloids. When searching for an IV solution with an electrolyte balance that closely matches the body's natural fluids, a healthcare provider will consider specific types of crystalloids that are similar to plasma, such as Lactated Ringer's and Plasma-Lyte. These balanced solutions are designed to mimic the physiological composition of human blood plasma more closely than other options like normal saline.