General Critical Care

Among the following IV solutions — D5 ½ NS, Albumin, Normal Saline (NS), and Lactated Ringer (LR) — the one with the highest osmolality is D5 ½ NS.

🔎 Here’s why:

• Osmolality reflects the number of dissolved particles in a solution.

• For electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, lactate), mEq/L ≈ mOsm/L.

Therefore:

• Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl): 154 Na⁺ + 154 Cl⁻ = 308 mOsm/L

I completed 💘Hemodynamic Manipulators!

A patient with Pica who aspirated a thumbtack while trying to swallow it, noted on CXR and CT on presentation. Removed with bronchoscopy.