| Name of Solution | Type of Solution | Ingredients in 1-Liter | Uses | Complications |
| 0.45% Sodium Chloride Shorthand Notation: ½NS | Hypotonic pH 5.6 | 77 mEq Sodium 77 mEq Chloride | hypotonic hydration; replace sodium and chloride; hyperosmolar diabetes | if too much is mixed with blood cells during transfusions, the cells will pull water into them and rupture |
| 0.9% Sodium Chloride Shorthand Notation: NS | Isotonic pH 5.7 | 154 mEq Sodium 154 mEq Chloride | isotonic hydration; replace sodium and chloride; alkalosis; blood transfusions (will not hemolyze blood cells) | None known |
| 3% Sodium Chloride | Hypertonic pH 5.0 | 513 mEq Sodium 513 mEq Chloride | symptomatic hyponatremia due to excessive sweating, vomiting, renal impairment, and excessive water intake | rapid or continuous infusion can result in hypernatremia or hyperchloremia |
| 5% Sodium Chloride | Hypertonic pH 5.8 | 855 mEq Sodium 855 mEq Chloride |
| 5% Dextrose in Water Shorthand Notation: D5W | Isotonic pH 5.0 | 5 grams dextrose (170 calories/liter) | isotonic hydration; provides some calories | water intoxication and dilution of body’s electrolytes with long, continuous infusions |
| 10% Dextrose in Water Shorthand Notation: D10W | Hypertonic pH 4.3 | 10 grams dextrose (340 calories/liter) | may be infused peripherally; hypertonic hydration; provides some calories |
| 5% Dextrose in 1/4 Strength (or 0.25%) Saline Shorthand Notation: D5¼NS | Hypertonic pH 4.4 | 5 grams Dextrose 34 mEq Sodium 34 mEq Chloride | fluid replacement; replacement of sodium, chloride and some calories | vein irritation because of acidic pH, causes agglomeration (clustering) if used with blood transfusions; hyperglycemia with rapid infusion leading to osmotic diuresis |
| 5% Dextrose in 0.45 Sodium Chloride Shorthand Notation: D5½NS | Hypertonic pH 4.4 | 5 grams Dextrose 77 mEq Sodium 77 mEq Chloride | hypertonic fluid replacement; replace sodium, chloride, and some calories |
| 5% Dextrose in Normal Saline Shorthand Notation: D5NS | Hypertonic pH 4.4 | 5 grams Dextrose 154 mEq Sodium 154 mEq Chloride | hypertonic fluid replacement; replace sodium, chloride and some calories |
| Ringer's Injection, U.S.P. | Isotonic pH 5.8 | 147 mEq Sodium 4 mEq Potassium 4 mEq Calcium 155 mEq Chloride | electrolyte replacement; hydration; often used to replace extracellular fluid losses | rapid administration leads to excessive introduction of electrolytes and leads to fluid overload and congestive conditions; provides no calories and is not an adequate maintenance solution if abnormal fluid losses are present |
| Lactated Ringer's Shorthand Notation: LR | Isotonic pH 6.6 | 130 mEq Sodium 4 mEq Potassium 3 mEq Calcium 109 mEq Chloride 28 mEq Sodium Lactate (provides 9 calories/liter) | isotonic hydration; replace electrolytes and extra- cellular fluid losses; mild to moderate acidosis (the lactate is metabolized into bicarbonate which counteracts the acidosis) | not enough electrolytes for maintenance; patients with hepatic disease have trouble metabolizing the lactate; do not use if lactic acidosis is present |
| 5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringer's Injection Shorthand Notation: D5LR | Hypertonic pH 4.9 | 5 grams Dextrose (170 calories/liter) 130 mEq Sodium 4 mEq Potassium 3 mEq Calcium 109 mEq Chloride 28 mEq Sodium Lactate (provides 9 calories/liter) | hypertonic hydration; provides some calories; replace electrolytes and extra- cellular fluid losses; mild to moderate acidosis (the lactate is metabolized into bicarbonate which counteracts the acidosis), the dextrose minimizes glycogen depletion |
