What type of solutions are D5LR and D5NS?

D5LR (5% dextrose in lactated Ringer's solution) and D5NS (5% dextrose in normal saline) are classified as hypertonic solutions. When these solutions are administered, their osmolarity is higher than that of body fluids.

Hypertonic solutions are characterized by having a higher concentration of solute outside of the cell compared to the concentration within the cell. This can lead to a net movement of water out of the cells, causing them to shrink as the fluid is drawn into the vascular space. The addition of dextrose in these solutions adds to the osmolarity, making them hypertonic in nature.

In clinical practice, hypertonic solutions like D5LR and D5NS are often used in specific scenarios such as when rapid expansion of the intravascular volume is needed or to correct certain electrolyte imbalances. It's important for nurses to understand the properties of these solutions for safe and effective patient management.

On the other hand, isotonic solutions have osmolarities similar to serum, while hypotonic solutions have lower osmolarities, which would lead to fluid moving into the cells. Colloidal solutions involve larger molecules that exert oncotic pressure but do not apply