Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 728 of 2368
A client is receiving a 0.45% sodium chloride infusion. For which complication should the nurse monitor?
- Cellular shrinkage from water moving out of the cells
- Cerebral edema from water moving into the cells
- Fluid overload from water pulled into the blood vessels
- A rising serum sodium level from the high sodium content
Show answer
Correct answer: Cerebral edema from water moving into the cells
Hypotonic fluid moves water from the blood vessels into cells. Too much movement can cause cerebral edema and worsen hypovolemia.
Source: Nursing Advanced Skills (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Initiate IV Therapy: Hypotonic Solutions. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026