Could use some help on this project

[PharmPhanatic]

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Okay so i'm doing some research right now as a project and I need some advice. My job is to find out if IV solutions of normal saline, 1/2 normal saline or 1/4 normal saline affect the patient's blood lab results and if so, how? Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[busyizzy]

Not quite sure what this has to do with pharmacy school or its admissions process.

 

[PharmPhanatic]

Nothing. I'm an intern and I only work with IV meds. I haven't started pharmacy school yet (I start fall 2009) and I am trying to learn as much as I can throughout this internship. My pharmacists asked me to find out some info on this. I have been reading books that are in the pharmacy, but have had no luck finding information yet. Just wanted to know if anyone else who has worked with IV meds or any current students could give me some feedback.

 

[aboveliquidice]

Okay so i'm doing some research right now as a project and I need some advice. My job is to find out if IV solutions of normal saline, 1/2 normal saline or 1/4 normal saline affect the patient's blood lab results and if so, how? Anyone have any thoughts?

A normal patient will have 140 meq / L

Normal saline = 0.9% has 154 meq/ L = So administering this will increase the blood's Na content

If you give a patient 1/2 NS = 0.45% or 77 meq / L = So administering this fluid will decrease the blood's Na content.

If you give a patient 1/4 NS = 0.225 or 0.23% = 38.5 or 39 meq / L = So administering this fluid will rapidly dilute the blood in terms of Na and Cl.

When adding fluids, the goal is to normalize electrolytes by replacing what is missing while providing the necessary water and drug delivery. Caution is made when selecting the type of fluid because a patient should not have their blood Na changed by more than 10 meq / L / day.