A nurse is assessing a client who has fluid overload. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Choice A reason:

A hypertonic solution is one that has a higher concentration of solutes than the blood plasma. Administering a hypertonic solution to a client who has hypovolemia would cause water to move out of the cells and into the blood vessels, resulting in cellular dehydration and increased blood pressure. This could worsen the client's condition and cause complications such as cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, or heart failure.

Choice B reason:

A hypotonic solution is one that has a lower concentration of solutes than the blood plasma. Administering a hypotonic solution to a client who has hypovolemia would cause water to move from the blood vessels into the cells, resulting in cellular swelling and decreased blood pressure. This could also worsen the client's condition and cause complications such as fluid overload, hyponatremia, or hemolysis.

Choice C reason:

An isotonic solution is one that has the same concentration of solutes as the blood plasma. Administering an isotonic solution to a client who has hypovolemia would help restore the fluid volume and maintain the osmotic pressure of the blood. This could improve the client's condition and prevent complications such as shock, acidosis, or organ failure. Examples of isotonic solutions are 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) and lactated Ringer's solution.

Choice D reason:

A colloid solution is one that contains large molecules that do not cross the capillary membrane. Administering a colloid solution to a client who has hypovolemia would increase the oncotic pressure of the blood and draw water from the interstitial space into the blood vessels. This could also improve the client's condition and prevent complications such as shock, acidosis, or organ failure. Examples of colloid solutions are albumin, dextran, and hetastarch.

Choice A reason:

Increased hematocrit is not a finding of fluid overload, but rather of dehydration. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood volume. When the blood volume decreases due to fluid loss, the hematocrit increases.

Choice B reason:

Decreased heart rate is not a finding of fluid overload, but rather of fluid deficit. When the blood volume increases due to fluid retention, the heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output.

Choice C reason:

Crackles in the lungs are a finding of fluid overload. Crackles are caused by fluid accumulation in the alveoli, which interferes with gas exchange and produces a crackling sound on auscultation.

Choice D reason:

Sunken eyeballs are not a finding of fluid overload, but rather of dehydration. Sunken eyeballs are caused by loss of subcutaneous fat and tissue turgor due to fluid loss. Some additional sentences are.