Common Causes
Isotonic is a term used to describe solutions and chemistry and, sometimes, muscles in human biology. In chemistry, a solution is said to be isotonic when it has the same concentration of solutes as another solution across a semipermeable membrane.
Related Conditions
Isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions are widely used in the healthcare setting and as a nurse you must know how each of the solutions work on the body and why they are given. In nursing school and on the NCLEX exam, you will be required to know what type of IV fluids are considered isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic.
What is isotonic?
Isotonic solution is given to ensure that the cells remain in the extracellular compartment. Goal is to increase the intravascular volume. We want to treat low extracellular fluid so it makes sense that we’d use isotonic solution to keep cells in the extracellular compartment.
What are isotonic hypotonic and hypertonic fluids?
An isotonic saline solution is most commonly administered to patients experiencing extreme dehydration. Unlike hypertonic and hypotonic saline solutions, isotonic saline solutions have the same concentration of NaCl as cellular fluids in the human body.
Why is isotonic solution used in Intravascular Therapy?
What is isotonic saline solution?
Is vomiting hypertonic?
The most common causes of hypertonic dehydration are diarrhea, high fever, and vomiting.
What is isotonic dehydration?
Isotonic dehydration is loss of water with preserved normal effective osmolality of body fluids. Causes include loss of isotonic fluids via the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or skin (burns); loss of blood; or as a result of fluid sequestration in the “third space” (eg, the peritoneum).
Is dehydration hypotonic or hypertonic?
Hypertonic dehydration is one of three types of dehydration. Hypotonic dehydration, In contrast with hypertonic dehydration, refers to a decrease in electrolyte concentration in the extracellular fluid.
Which electrolyte is lost in vomiting?
Electrolytes and acid-base disorders The vomiting of gastric or intestinal contents most commonly involves the loss of fluid that contains chloride, potassium, sodium, and bicarbonate. The sequelae of these losses include dehydration along with hyponatremia, hypochloremia, and hypokalemia.
Is sweat isotonic or hypertonic?
Primary sweat is nearly isotonic with blood plasma (e.g. approximately 135–145 mmol/L Na+, approximately 95–110 mmol/L Cl−, and approximately 4–5 mmol/L K+) [29, 46–49].
Does vomiting cause dehydration?
A prolonged bout of diarrhea or vomiting can cause the body to lose more fluid than it can take in. The result is dehydration, which occurs when your body doesn't have the fluid it needs to function properly.
What are isotonic fluids?
Isotonic solutions are IV fluids that have a similar concentration of dissolved particles as blood. An example of an isotonic IV solution is 0.9% Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl).
How does vomiting cause hypernatremia?
A convenient way to classify hyponatremia is by volume status. Hypovolemic hyponatremia can result from GI or renal losses of fluid. It was previously noted that vomiting and diarrhea typically involves fluid loss which has sodium + potassium concentration less than that of plasma and may result in hypernatremia.
Why is isotonic solution used for dehydration?
Isotonic IV solutions restore fluid volume because they fill the tissues and maintain fluid volume more effectively than hypertonic or hypotonic solutions.
Does vomiting decrease sodium?
Chronic, severe vomiting or diarrhea and other causes of dehydration. This causes your body to lose electrolytes, such as sodium, and also increases ADH levels.
Which fluid is given in vomiting?
If vomiting persists, infusion of oral rehydration solution via a nasogastric tube may be temporarily used to achieve rehydration. Intravenous fluid administration (20-30 mL/kg of isotonic sodium chloride 0.9% solution over 1-2 h) may also be used until oral rehydration is tolerated.
Do you lose potassium when you vomit?
Vomiting, diarrhea or both also can result in excessive potassium loss from the digestive tract. Occasionally, low potassium is caused by not getting enough potassium in your diet.
Why is isotonic solution used for dehydration?
Isotonic IV solutions restore fluid volume because they fill the tissues and maintain fluid volume more effectively than hypertonic or hypotonic solutions.
What are the three types of dehydration?
There are three main types of dehydration: hypotonic (primarily a loss of electrolytes), hypertonic (primarily loss of water), and isotonic (equal loss of water and electrolytes). The most commonly seen in humans is isotonic.
What are isotonic fluids?
Isotonic solutions are IV fluids that have a similar concentration of dissolved particles as blood. An example of an isotonic IV solution is 0.9% Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl).
Are isotonic drinks good for dehydration?
Isotonic drinks empty from the stomach at a rate similar to water, reducing urine output and encouraging fluid retention to prevent dehydration.
Pathophysiology of Dehydration
The total body water is distributed into extracellular and intracellular compartments. The extracellular compartment contains one-third of total bo...
Evaluation of Tbna+ Status
1. Decreased TBNa+ produces signs of volume depletion 1. Dry mucous membranes 2. Decreased skin turgor (i.e. skin tenting when the skin is pinched)...
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
Most patients with dehydration present with: 1. Thirst 2. Headaches 3. Fatigue 4. Constipation, dry mouth, dry skin, dizziness and low urine volume...
Isotonic and Hypotonic Fluid Disorders: Summary
1. Hypovolemic shock: Severe dehydration will lead to low blood volume and hypovolemic shock. It can lead to major end organ damage with acidosis a...
Prevention of Dehydration
Adequate hydration is recommended during all activities to prevent dehydration. Water intake is the key to replacing water loss during exercise, in...
Which motor correlates with vomiting and nausea?
ReviewDigestive tract motor correlates of vomiting and nausea.
What happens when you vomit?
Vomiting produces dehydration, metabolic alkalosis, and hypokalemia. One to two liters of stomach secretions containing up to 150 MEq of hydrogen and sodium ion per liter and an isoelectric quantity of chloride ion are produced each day. Distention increases the volume of gastric secretion. During vomiting episodes, bicarbonate ion generated by gastric acid production remains in the vascular space and initiates metabolic alkalosis. Vomiting decreases intravascular volume and increases reabsorption of sodium and water by the proximal renal tubule. Since the intravascular concentration of bicarbonate is increased relative to chloride, high concentrations of bicarbonate are delivered to the kidney. Bicarbonate is reabsorbed as the major anion accompanying sodium throughout the renal tubule, and alkalosis is maintained. Increased tubular concentrations of bicarbonate and increased reabsorption of sodium in the distal tubule promote potassium loss in the urine.
What is the vomiting center?
The vomiting center (VC) is located in the dorsolateral medulla adjacent to the ascending reticular activating system and the medullary centers controlling cardiovascular and respiratory reflexes. Afferent connections from the cortex, limbic system, hypothalamus, vestibular centers, gut, and other viscera are known. The VC integrates input from central and peripheral afferents and modulates the autonomic and somatic motor response to noxious stimuli. The chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), located in the floor of the fourth ventricle, provides specific receptors for circulating toxins in the blood, and cerebrospinal fluid and relays this information to the VC. Ablation of the CTZ abolishes vomiting produced by increased intracranial pressure or elevated serum levels of digitalis, but does not diminish the emetic response to staphylococcal enterotoxin or gastric distention. In contrast, ablation of the VC destroys the emetic response to vestibular stimulation, exogenous or endogenous toxins and drugs, and mucosal irritation or distention of the gut.
What is the forceful retrograde expulsion of gastric contents from the body?
Vomiting, or emesis, is the forceful retrograde expulsion of gastric contents from the body. Nausea is the unpleasant sensation that precedes vomiting. Nausea frequently is relieved by vomiting and may be accompanied by increased parasympathetic nervous system activity including diaphoresis, salivation, bradycardia, pallor, and decreased respiratory rate. Retching ("dry heaves") is the simultaneous contraction of the abdominal muscles and muscles of inspiration that may occur with vomiting.
What does it mean when you vomit blood?
Vomitus that contains blood or coffee ground-like material usually indicates bleeding from a source proximal to the ligament of Treitz, but swallowed blood from oropharyngeal or pulmonary lesions may simulate upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding. In the patient who develops vomiting after surgery for peptic ulcer disease, bile-stained vomitus may be a clue to gastric inflammation produced by reflux of alkaline duodenal contents into the stomach. Obstructive lesions of the small bowel may be associated with vomitus containing recognizable food or clear intestinal secretions, depending on the location of the obstruction and the time of the last food taken. Feculent vomitus suggests a gastrocolic fistula or a fistula between the colon and duodenum. Motility disorders producing stasis and bacterial overgrowth may also be associated with feculent vomitus.
Why do I throw up in the morning?
Projectile vomiting, particularly on arising from sleep, may be due to increased intracranial pressure. Early morning nausea and vomiting is associated with pregnancy. Adverse reactions to medications are among the commonest causes of nausea or vomiting; the symptoms may be acute or chronic, constant or intermittent. Nausea and vomiting can be learned and elicited by previously neutral stimuli, such as the sight of a hospital or physician's office.
What is the resting tone of the gastric fundus?
The resting tone of the gastric fundus establishes a pressure gradient that promotes emptying of liquids into the duodenum. Following ingestion of solids, the pressure at the esophagogastric and gastroduodenal junctions increases and the antral "pump" macerates gastric contents until the mean particle size is less than 1 mm in diameter. Postprandially, the coordinated action of the antrum and pylorus allows small aliquots of gastric contents to be emptied into the duodenum. In the fasting state, the "migrating motor complex" produces regular episodes of increased peristalsis that sweeps undigested solids into the small bowel and propels them distally.
Why is isotonic solution used?
Isotonic solution is given to ensure that the cells remain in the extracellular compartment. Goal is to increase the intravascular volume. We want to treat low extracellular fluid so it makes sense that we’d use isotonic solution to keep cells in the extracellular compartment.
How to understand hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic?
To understand hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic, you must understand the process of osmosis. With osmosis, just remember LOW to HIGH. Osmosis is the process of molecules moving from a less concentrated solution to a higher concentrated solution by passing through a semipermeable membrane.
What are the symptoms of hypovolemia?
You should know understand and be aware of signs and symptoms of hypovolemia: Poor urine output. Poor skin turgor. Tachycardia. Hypotension. Dehydration. Fluid therapy can be lifesaving and is given when there is a loss of body water. Remember that it can cause a lot of harm when give in the wrong situation.
How to treat IV fluids as a medication?
Treat IV fluids as a medication by observing for allergy response, administering to the right patient, right dosage, right route, right order, and at the right time
Does hypotonic solution lower sodium levels?
Hypotonic solutions lower serum sodium levels so it’s essential to monitor sodium levels.
What is isotonic in biology?
Isotonic Definition. Isotonic is a term used to describe solutions and chemistry and, sometimes, muscles in human biology. In chemistry, a solution is said to be isotonic when it has the same concentration of solutes as another solution across a semipermeable membrane. The use of isotonic in human anatomy is used more rarely.
Why are push ups not isotonic?
They produce isotonic muscles because they work both sides of the body equally, when performed correctly. To clarify, push-ups are not isotonic in the sense that they are of the same concentration or tone as another exercise. However, they produce isotonic muscles, which have the same tone.
What is hypertonic solution?
Hypertonic – A solution having a greater concentration of a solute than a solution across a semipermeable membrane, or a muscle having greater tone than another, like muscle.
What is isotonic saline solution?
An isotonic saline solution is most commonly administered to patients experiencing extreme dehydration. Unlike hypertonic and hypotonic saline solutions, isotonic saline solutions have the same concentration of NaCl as cellular fluids in the human body.
Why are bicep curls considered isotonic?
Bicep curls are an isotonic activity, because they involve raising the arm and lowering it, to build muscle. However, they may not contribute to isotonic muscles, because the person performing the exercise may dedicate more focus to the right or the left bicep.
Which solution has a lower concentration of a solute than a hypertonic solution?
Isotonic solutions have a lower concentration of a solute than hypertonic solutions. Hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration of a solute than a similar solution, while isotonic solutions have the same concentration of a solute as a similar solution.
Does isotonic saline help with heart failure?
A is correct. Isotonic saline solutions keep cells from shrinking, or becoming more dehydrated. They also keep cells from swelling which, if too severe, can contribute to heart failure.
When talking about isotonic and hypo/hypertonic, what are we talking about?
Remember when we are talking about isotonic and hypo/hypertonic we are talking about how it looks outside of the cell compared to inside.
How does tonicity work in osmosis?
First, let’s get familiar with the cell and how tonicity works through osmosis. The cell is divided into two parts: ( intracellular & extracellular ). Each part is made up of a solution and depending on the tonicity of the fluid you can having shifting of fluids from outside of the cell to the inside via osmosis.
What is the meaning of tonic?
Tonic: concentration of a solution. The cell has the same concentration on the inside and outside which in normal conditions the cell’s intracellular and extracellular are both isotonic. It is important to be familiar with what fluids are isotonic and when they are given.
When to use hypotonic solution?
Hypotonic solutions are used when the cell is dehydrated and fluids need to be put back intracellularly. This happens when patients develop diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperosmolar hyperglycemia.
Is 5% dextrose hypotonic or isotonic?
5% dextrose in water (D5W)**also used as a hypotonic solution after it is administered because the body absorbs the dextrose BUT it is considered isotonic) Isoto nic solutions are used: to increase the EXTRACELLULAR fluid volume due to blood loss, surgery, dehydration, fluid loss that has been loss extracellularly.
How to Replenish Electrolytes After Diarrhea or Vomiting
When suffering from dehydration, the first solution that might come to mind is to drink water. While this is a good way to restore lost fluids, pure water lacks other crucial minerals lost during diarrhea or vomiting — electrolytes.
Will an IV Help With Diarrhea?
IV therapy refers to the practice of delivering fluids, nutrients and medicine directly to a person’s body through their veins, usually in the arm. IV therapy is often used in cases of severe dehydration to quickly restore lost fluids and nutrients.
IV Fluids for Diarrhea and Vomiting
In the case of dehydration treatment, IV therapy usually involves a saline mixture that contains sodium, sugars like glucose or dextrose, and electrolytes such as potassium. IV solutions are made using crystalloid solutions, which aid water passage in your cells through osmosis.
Schedule a Mobile IV Medics Appointment Today
Diarrhea and vomiting are unpleasant enough on their own, and dehydration can make them even worse. While drinking water, juice or even oral rehydration solutions can help, there are other ways to restore lost fluids and nutrients. IV therapy is a fast, easy way to rehydrate and alleviate symptoms of dehydration.
Is oral fluids effective in the management of dehydrated children?
Given that oral fluids are effective in the management of the de hydrated child, as discussed in Section 5.2, the GDG considered that it was reasonable to assume that liberal fluid supplementation is effective in the prevention of dehydration.
Does oral fluid help with gastroenteritis?
Evidence, though limited, suggests that continued breastfeeds and provision of oral fluid supplementation to children with gastroenteritis reduces the risk of dehydration. The lack of available evidence was not surprising, given the ethical difficulties with undertaking an RCT comparing the administration and withholding of oral fluid supplementation. Given that oral fluids are effective in the management of the dehydrated child, as discussed in Section 5.2, the GDG considered that it was reasonable to assume that liberal fluid supplementation is effective in the prevention of dehydration. While it was recognised that some children may prefer other oral fluids, ORS solution has advantages ( Section 5.3) and so should be used if possible for children at increased risk of dehydration ( Section 4.1 ).
