A 22-year-old dialysis patient presents to the ER with chest pain and palpitations. Laboratory tests reveal a Potassium (K+) level of 7.0 mEq/L. Which electrolyte imbalance is the patient suffering from?

C. Dextrose 5% in water is a hypotonic solution that contains 5 grams of dextrose in each 100 mL of water. It provides free water without adding significant sodium, which helps to dilute the elevated sodium levels in hypernatremia. This solution is effective in correcting hypernatremia by promoting water movement from the intravascular space into the cells and extracellular space.

A. Albumin solutions are primarily used for volume expansion and to increase oncotic pressure in conditions like hypoalbuminemia or shock. They do not provide free water and are not typically used for treating hypernatremia.

B. Dextrose 10% in water is a hypertonic solution used primarily for providing calories and treating hypoglycemia. It does not correct hypernatremia because it does not significantly affect sodium levels or provide sufficient free water to dilute sodium.

D. Dextran 40 is a colloid solution that is used for volume expansion in hypovolemia or shock. It does not provide free water and is not indicated for correcting hypernatremia.

A. 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is isotonic, meaning it has the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma. It is used to expand intravascular volume and replace fluids and electrolytes.

B. "Hypnotic" refers to medications that induce sleep and has no relevance to IV solutions. This term does not apply to IV solutions.

C. A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to normal body fluids. Examples include 0.45% sodium chloride (half-normal saline) or 5% dextrose in water (D5W). 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is not hypotonic; rather, it is isotonic.

D. A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to normal body fluids. Examples include 3% sodium chloride or 5% dextrose in 0.9% sodium chloride. 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) is not hypertonic; rather, it is isotonic.