A member asked:

Dangers of hypertonic solution? if someone with a chronic illness who may be underhydrated is put on 3% sodium chloride 500ml, what are the dangers?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Inappropriate: Hypertonic saline is not the proper solution to hydrate a patient as it would administer too much sodium chloride and worsen the patient's dehydration. Hypernatremia(excess serum sodium) is a dangerous condition. One uses dextrose in water, 1/2normal saline or, at times, dextrose in Normal Saline for hydration.

Answered 6/30/2014

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Dr. Victor Bonuel answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Limited amount of: Hypertonic solution is fine for patients who are severely dehydrated , with low serum sodium and with neurologic symptoms- lethargy, weakness, confusion. Overtreatment with Hypertonic Saline may cause the damage to the covering of the brain cells(myelin sheath) and may cause similar symptoms as undertreatment. Best wishes! http://www.Nlm.Nih.Gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000775.Htm.

Answered 6/25/2014

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