NCLEX RN Practice Question # 571

NCLEX Examination.

Practice Question # 571.

Types of solutions

Isotonic solutions

• Have the same osmolality as body fluids
• Increase extracellular fluid volume
• Do not enter the cells because no osmotic force exists to shift the fluids

Hypotonic solutions

• Are more dilute solutions and have a lower osmolality than body fluids
• Cause the movement of water into cells by osmosis
• Should be administered slowly to prevent cellular edema

Hypertonic solutions

• Are more concentrated solutions and have a higher osmolality than body fluids
• Concentrate extracellular fluid and cause movement of water from cells into the extracellular fluid by osmosis

Colloids

• Also called plasma expanders
• Pull fluid from the interstitial compartment into the vascular compartment
• Used to increase the vascular volume rapidly, such as in hemorrhage or severe hypovolemia