Composition of Crystalloid Solutions

These are some useful information on crystalloids and their contents. At least you know what you’re giving instead of giving them blindly.

Normal saline (0.9% saline)

• 154 mmol/L of Na
• 154 mmol/L of Cl
• Osmolalilty: 308 mosm/L
• pH 5.0
• Potential problems: hypernatraemia, hyperchloraemic acidosis

Half normal saline (0.45% saline)

• 77mmol/L of Na
• 77mmol/L of Cl
• pH 5.0

D5W (5% dextrose)

• 278 mmol/L of glucose
• pH 4.0

Hartmann’s solution (Sodium lactate)

• 131 mmol/L of Na
• 111 mmol/L of Cl
• 29 mmol/L of lactate (later converted to bicarbonate in liver…)
• 5 mmol/L of K
• 2 mmol/L of Ca
• Osmolality: 279 mosm/L
• pH 6.5
• Potential problem: hyperkalaemia

Ringer’s lactate (pretty similar to Hartmann’s)

• 130 mmol/L of Na
• 109 mmol/L of Cl
• 28 mmol/L of lactate
• 4 mmol/L of K
• 3 mmol/L of Ca

Fluid Therapy for the Needy

~ by eric on May 6, 2007.