(Here’s where you can read an UPDATED VERSION of this article about Hypotonic Solution)
If you’re looking for a list of IV solutions to memorize, then you’re in the wrong place.
But if you want to understand WHY and HOW IV solutions work the way that they do so that you can become a better nurse…here you go!
If you haven’t already seen the results of my osmosis experiment from last week, make sure to check that out, because I’ll be referring to it in all of my posts this week.
Hypotonic solutions contain less solute then blood does, which causes water to want to leave the hypotonic solution and enter an area that has a higher concentration of solute via osmosis.  When discussing IV fluids, that usually means that the water will want to leave the intravascular space and enter Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
The results of my osmosis experiment on the egg placed in the hypotonic solution there, but were not dramatic.  Definitely not as dramatic as the results for the egg placed in the hypertonic solution.  You can see in the picture that the hypotonic egg is only barely larger than the isotonic egg.  Unfortunately, this difference can be much more serious in RBCs.
 Notice how the normal disc-like shape of an RBC blows up like a balloon when placed in a hypotonic solution.  Remember, this occurs because the extra water in the blood vessels wants to move into the RBC via osmosis in an attempt to dilute the higher concentrate of solute found there.  Of course, that is not what’s best for the body in this case! If allowed to progress too far, the RBC can actually fill up so much with water that it “pops” and dies. (Side note: that’s a fun way to remember that the term “apoptosis” means cell death, by the way!)
The list of Hypotonic solutions is easy to remember, because it really only includes one true hypotonic solution (plus one “faker”):
- 0.45% Saline
- *5% Dextrose in Water (this is technically isotonic, but once the dextrose is absorbed then it acts on the body as if it were hypotonic)
The 5% Dextrose in Water is really isotonic (see more about that in my next article). Â However, once the dextrose (aka sugar) has been absorbed by the body, then only plain water is left in the intravascular space. Â And plain water is clearly hypotonic, so it can have the same effect on the body as 0.45% Saline.
Typically though, if a patient needs a hypotonic solution, then they will receive 0.45% Saline. Â Probably the most common reason to give 0.45% Saline is for true dehydration, which is when the body has lost water only, without losing any electrolytes (this is different from fluid volume deficit, when the body loses BOTH water AND electrolytes). Â In dehydration, the body already has a normal amount of electrolytes, so there is no need to provide more in the IV solution. Â The patient simply needs some of their water replaced!
I hope this gives you a better understanding of hypotonic IV solutions. Â Please leave a comment below to share one new thing that you learned about them!
Nicole Whitworth is the founder of Your Nursing Tutor. She has a BSN and an MA in Clinical Psychology, and has been a professional nursing tutor for over 12+ years. Nicole specializes in getting nursing students through school confidently and calmly so that everything finally “clicks”. She is also the creator of the Silver Bullet Study System, an easy-to-follow study method that automatically trains your brain to become a nurse at the same time that you study for your normal nursing classes.
Hypotonic solution is 0.18% normal saline and 4% dextrose -so if you remove 200 ml from a 11000ml 5% dextrose (glucose IV solution ) and replace that with 200 ml of IV Normal saline (0.9% ) you get a 0.18% in 4% glucose hypotononic solution
Awesome article!!! Thank so much for the information…
Thank you ,so much easier to understand.
Thank you so much my problem is solve
very helpful summery
if a person is dehydrated is do you have to use a hypotonic solution or hypertonic solution to increase the water level in the person
Very useful and informative. Thank you alot.
very very helpful
the explanation is very clear and brief, keep helping others.
Thanks a lot nicole…its really helpful for us…expecting more informations…
This is SO helpful! Thank you so much for explaining it!
very precise and concise information about hypotonic solutions
I do appreciate the information. I leant that fluid deals with solutes and solubles and the red blood cell
Very imformative, but what’s the difference between isotonic fluids and hypotonic fluids?,…..and in each case may you state when and why should a nurse decide to administer either an isotonic or a hypotonic fluid.
Thanks sisters great topic please kip in touch I’m a paramedic so I need topics which will keep me uptodate
How about 1/3 NS or D2.5W? Are those not hypotonic? I’m confused.
Oh and the way you explained poptosis made me think about the po in hypotonic as pop which helps me remember that the cell swells because the fluid goes inside it! Thanks for that. I always tend to it but this way I will never forget it!
Thank you so much for the clear and concise explanation!
I’m a medical student trying to get my head around fluid loss and dehydration, and this was the perfect article to aid my understanding.
Finally,I hv gotten it thanks a lot nurse.
Thank you so much! I have an exam in a couple days, and you really cleared this up for me. Excellent work, keep it up!
I want to thank you for taking the time to help others, your explanation was great! Happy New Year
thanks for the article.it is very much helpful.now i would like to know is it available everywhere &what are the indications?
Hello Nicole,
Your post very nice!!!
Still, I don’t understand something:
You wrote: “The 5% Dextrose in Water is really isotonic (see more about that in my next article). However, once the dextrose (aka sugar) has been absorbed by the body, then only plain water is left in the intravascular space. And plain water is clearly hypotonic, so it can have the same effect on the body as 0.45% Saline.”
I would like to understand why we can not say that about the normal saline for example?
the electrolytes absorbed and the water is left as hypotonic.
Very nice, this explanation just reminded me of why I learned Hypo=Hippo, thanks!
Really nice and good information very sample and easy to get it thanks a lot
this is so cool.
Thank you so much………. makes learning and understanding so much more fun and positive.
I realy appreciate this buh needs more explanation
Thank you so much for this. You make it so much easier to understand. I just have one question. When someone is dehydrated, why do we have them drink Gatorade and children Pedialyte? That’s confusing to me:-(
Great question. Most often, the dehydration involves loss of water AND electrolytes. And example would be vomiting or diarrhea (especially in kids). Vomiting and diarrhea cause the body to lose water (which can lead to the dehydration), but they ALSO cause the body to lose electrolytes. So we need to use an intervention that will replace both, which Pedialyte or Gatorade can do.
very good thanks
You’re welcome!
Thank u so much now i understand
I finally understand this topic thank you! 🙂
You are a genius.
thank you so much… I finally understand 🙂
it is very informative,thank u…………………..
Thank you so much for this article! This is the first time I actually understand this topic. You should become a teacher, if you aren’t already.
Thank you so much for the compliment! I love teaching, but much prefer to teach through Your Nursing Tutor rather than in a University setting…gives me much more flexibility to focus on the trickiest topics for nursing school, and helps me keep my “finger on the pulse” of nursing students across the country.
You’re welcome!
Really needed clarification and this sums it up thanks!
Very informative in a simple, easy to understand format. Thank you very much!!
Gud presentation