Crystalloid Solutions
Description:
Solutions of inorganic ions and small organic molecules dissolved in water are referred to as crystalloids. The main solute is either glucose or sodium chloride (saline) and the solutions may be isotonic, hypotonic or hypertonic with respect to plasma. Isotonic saline has a concentration of 0.9% w/v (containing 0.9g NaCl in each liter of water). Potassium, calcium, and lactate may be added to more closely replicate the ionic makeup of plasma (Table 1). Crystalloids with an ionic composition close to that of plasma may be referred to as “balanced” or “physiological”.
