RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 215 of 2368

A client is hypovolemic after heavy bleeding. Why is 5% dextrose in water a poor choice for fluid resuscitation?

  1. It is hypertonic and immediately pulls water out of the blood vessels into the cells
  2. It contains too much sodium, which would raise blood pressure too high in this client
  3. After dextrose is metabolized it is hypotonic and leaves the vessels, causing brain swelling
  4. It raises the blood pH above 7.5 and worsens alkalosis in a client who is bleeding
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Correct answer: After dextrose is metabolized it is hypotonic and leaves the vessels, causing brain swelling

D5W starts isotonic, but once the dextrose is used it acts as a hypotonic fluid. Water then shifts out of the intravascular space.

Source: Nursing Fundamentals, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2024), Fluids and Electrolytes: Hypertonic Solutions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026