Question

What responses does the nurse expect as a result of infusing 500 mL liter of a 3% saline intravenous solution into a client over a 1-hour time period?

A. Plasma volume osmolarity increases; blood pressure increases
B. Plasma volume osmolarity decreases; blood pressure increases
C. Plasma volume osmolarity increases; blood pressure decreases
D. Plasma volume osmolarity decreases; blood pressure decreases

Answer 1

Infusing a hypertonic 3% saline solution is expected to increase plasma volume osmolarity and blood pressure due to the fluid shift from cells to the bloodstream.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expected response after infusing 500 mL of a 3% saline intravenous solution into a client over a 1-hour time period is that the plasma volume osmolarity increases; this is because the 3% saline solution is hypertonic compared to the body's plasma. A hypertonic solution will draw water out of the cells and into the plasma, increasing the osmolarity. As a result of this fluid shift, the blood pressure also increases due to the increased blood volume.