Final answer:
To treat hypovolemic shock, a physician would likely order an isotonic IV fluid like 0.9% normal saline to help restore blood volume without causing red blood cell damage or fluid balance issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
To treat hypovolemic shock, a physician would most likely order an intravenous (IV) fluid that is isotonic with body fluids. The correct option is a. 0.9% normal saline. This is because normal saline is isotonic to the body fluids and will help in restoring the blood volume without causing shifts in fluid balance that could potentially harm cells. Isotonic solutions like normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution are specifically designed to match the osmolarity of the body fluids (approximately 300 mOsm) to prevent red blood cell damage from changes in fluid volume inside versus outside the cell membrane.
For correction of dehydration due to fluid loss high in Na and HCO3, a mixture of 2/3 isotonic saline and 1/3 Na lactate should be administered intravenously. This combination helps in replenishing electrolyte losses as well as the fluid. In the event of an isotonic IV solution causing red blood cell destruction, as stated in some hypothetical scenarios, it would imply that the solution was actually not isotonic, with a high likelihood of it being hypotonic.