Extracellular Compartments

Water is essential in keeping the body in balance. There are two significant compartments of the body that exchange fluids and electrolytes to maintain homeostasis, which are intracellular and extracellular. These two spaces continually interchange electrolytes, particles, and water to sustain the same pressure. (PP chap42 pg935) This paper will describe three machinimas that assists in maintaining homeostasis, four main categories of IV therapy, and nursing consideration in relation to infusing IV. There are many methods the body uses to retain equal pressure between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. The body has many mechanisms to maintain fluid balance between extracellular and intracellular compartments. The only …show more content…
This difference in concentration causes fluids within the cell to shift into the vascular space. Patients that have severe hyponatremia or cerebral edema benefit from an IV infusion of this solution. The infusion should be administered at a slow rate to prevent any edema formation and fluid volume overload. The solutions that contain high osmolality are 5% dextrose in half normal saline, 10% dextrose in water, and 5% dextrose in normal saline. This type of solution is not recommended for patients who are dehydrated because it will make the condition worse. Nurses infusing hypertonic solutions should take careful precautions. …show more content…
Colloid solutions are known as volume expanders because it draws the fluid from the interstitial space and into the intravascular compartment. The advantage of utilizing colloid solution is that it holds a slower duration of action and remains inside the intravascular space for longer. Five percent albumin, Low-molecular weight dextran, high-molecular dextran, and hydroxyethyl starches are all colloid solutions. The albumin solution is most commonly used and is able to pull in four times its volume into the vascular system within 15 minutes of administration. Five percent albumin should not be given to patients with heart failure or severe anemia. Low-molecular weight dextran contains polysaccharide and used for patients who has experienced burns, hemorrhage, surgery, or trauma. This type of solution is given during surgery because it inhibits the thickening of blood. High-molecular weight dextran also contains polysaccharides and no electrolytes. It is not recommended for patients in hemorrhagic shock. Hydroxyethyl Starches is another form of colloid solution used for hemodynamic volume replacement after surgery. Colloid solutions can cause hypervolemia and nurses should closely observe the