Amount of Dextrose in D5 Normal Saline IV Fluid
A liter of D5 normal saline IV fluid contains 50 grams of dextrose. 1
Composition Breakdown
- D5 refers to 5% dextrose solution, which means 5 grams of dextrose per 100 mL 1
- When calculated for a full liter (1000 mL), this equals 50 grams of dextrose 1
- The normal saline component consists of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (9 grams of sodium chloride per liter) 1
Clinical Applications
- D5 normal saline is commonly used in various clinical scenarios:
Important Considerations
- The 50 grams of dextrose in a liter of D5NS can significantly affect blood glucose levels 2
- In non-diabetic patients undergoing elective surgery, even 500 mL of D5NS can cause transient hyperglycemia with glucose levels exceeding 10 mmol/L in 72% of patients 2
- When used for hypoglycemia treatment, D5 solutions provide a more gradual increase in blood glucose compared to D50 (50% dextrose) solutions 3, 4
- The osmolarity of D5NS is higher than plasma due to both the dextrose and saline components 5
Clinical Cautions
- D5NS should be used cautiously in patients at risk for cerebral edema as the dextrose component may worsen brain edema 5
- In patients with hyperkalemia being treated with insulin, the dextrose component (50g/L) may not be sufficient to prevent hypoglycemia in certain patient populations 6
- When used as a vehicle for medications like vasopressors, the dextrose content must be considered in patients with diabetes or other glucose metabolism disorders 1
Remember that while D5NS contains 50 grams of dextrose per liter, the clinical impact of this dextrose load depends on the rate of administration, the patient's metabolic status, and concurrent medications.