Question

Calculate the amount of dextrose and/or sodium chloride in each of the following IV solutions: 0.5 L D5 1/4 NS dextrose_______g $\mathrm{NaCl}$________g

Short answer

25 g of dextrose and 1.125 g of NaCl are in the solution.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the IV Solution Composition

The given IV solution is **D5 1/4 NS**. This means it contains 5% dextrose and 0.225% sodium chloride. This is a combination of dextrose in water and 1/4 normal saline.

Calculate the Dextrose Content

The 'D5' indicates 5% dextrose. This means there are 5 grams of dextrose per 100 mL of solution. Since the total volume of the solution is 0.5 L (or 500 mL), we calculate:$$\text{Dextrose}=5\text{g}/100\text{mL}\times 500\text{mL}=25\text{g}$$

Calculate the Sodium Chloride Content

The '1/4 NS' refers to 0.25 times a normal saline solution, where normal saline (NS) is 0.9% NaCl. Thus, 1/4 NS means 0.9% / 4, which equals 0.225% NaCl. This means there are 0.225 grams of NaCl per 100 mL of solution. So, for 500 mL:$$\text{NaCl}=0.225\text{g}/100\text{mL}\times 500\text{mL}=1.125\text{g}$$

Key concepts

Dextrose Calculation

Dextrose is commonly used in intravenous (IV) solutions to provide calories and energy, especially when a patient is unable to eat. The label 'D5' refers to a solution containing 5% dextrose. This percentage is crucial for understanding how much dextrose is present in any given volume of solution.

In our example, we have a 0.5 L IV solution labeled D5. Here's the breakdown:

• D5 means there are 5 grams of dextrose in every 100 mL of the solution.
• We need to find out how many grams are in 0.5 L, which is equivalent to 500 mL.

By setting up a simple calculation, you can determine the dextrose content:

Start with the proportion derived from the percentage:
5 grams / 100 mL = x grams / 500 mL.

Solving for x gives:$$x=5\times \frac{500}{100}=25\text{ grams}$$This tells us there are 25 grams of dextrose in the entire half-liter solution. Calculations like these are fundamental for ensuring that the patient receives the correct amount of nutrients.

Sodium Chloride Calculation

Sodium chloride, often referred to as salt, is another essential component of many IV solutions. It's used to maintain the correct electrolyte balance in the body, which is crucial for bodily functions. In IV compositions, this is often indicated as 'NS' or normal saline.

• 'NS' translates to 0.9% sodium chloride.
• '1/4 NS' means one-quarter the strength, so 0.225% sodium chloride.

Let's analyze how to calculate the sodium chloride content in a 0.5 L D5 1/4 NS IV solution:
For every 100 mL of solution, there are 0.225 grams of sodium chloride. Given we have 500 mL:
$$\text{NaCl}=0.225\times \frac{500}{100}=1.125\text{ grams}$$By calculation, we find there are 1.125 grams of sodium chloride in the entire solution. Such calculations aid medical professionals in administering the precise balance of electrolytes to their patients.

Infusion Fluid Percentages

Understanding infusion fluid percentages is essential for comprehending the solution composition and its purpose. With this knowledge, healthcare providers can tailor treatments to the patients' needs.

The percentage signifies the concentration of a component, such as dextrose or sodium chloride, in the solution.

• A 5% solution like D5, contains 5 grams of a solute (dextrose) per 100 mL of solvent.
• A 0.225% solution indicates 0.225 grams of a solute (sodium chloride) per 100 mL of solvent.

Having a solid grasp of these percentages ensures that you can accurately compute the amount of each component, thereby administering the correct dosage to patients. For instance, knowing how these concentrations reflect proportions in different volumes helps manage fluid therapy effectively in various clinical scenarios.