8. Glucose and other Solutions for Nutrition

• What types of solutions are administered intravenously for nutrition?

  Glucose, amino acid, and homogenized fat solutions
• Why are glucose solutions widely used for intravenous nutrition?

  They provide essential nutrients for those unable to eat
• What is the purpose of adjusting the concentrations of osmotic substances in intravenous solutions?

  To maintain isotonicity and osmotic equilibrium
• What happens to excess water after glucose or nutrients are metabolized?

  It is usually excreted as dilute urine by kidneys
• What is the net result of administering glucose solutions?

  Only nutrients are added to the body
• What concentration of glucose solution is often used to treat dehydration?

  5 percent glucose solution
• Why can a 5 percent glucose solution be infused without causing red blood cell swelling?

  It is nearly isosmotic
• How does a 5 percent glucose solution affect extracellular fluid osmolarity?

  It reduces extracellular fluid osmolarity
• What is the effect of glucose being rapidly transported into cells during infusion?

  It helps correct dehydration-related osmolarity increase