Sodium Content in Normal Saline
One liter (1 unit) of Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl) contains 154 mmol (or mEq) of sodium.
Composition Details
Normal saline is a 0.9% sodium chloride solution, which translates to specific sodium content 1:
- Sodium concentration: 154 mmol/L (or 154 mEq/L)
- Chloride concentration: 154 mmol/L (or 154 mEq/L)
- Total osmolarity: Approximately 308 mOsm/L
Practical Calculation
For different volumes of normal saline 1:
- 1 liter (1000 mL): 154 mmol sodium
- 500 mL: 77 mmol sodium
- 250 mL: 38.5 mmol sodium
- 100 mL bolus: 15.4 mmol sodium
Clinical Context
Normal saline is isotonic and commonly used for 1:
- Volume resuscitation in hypovolemic states, where 1-2 liters may be administered to adults at 5-10 mL/kg in the first 5 minutes
- Initial fluid replacement in anaphylaxis, where crystalloids up to 7 liters might be necessary
- Treatment of hypovolemic hyponatremia, where the 154 mmol/L sodium concentration helps restore both volume and sodium balance
Comparison to Other Solutions
To provide context 2:
- 3% hypertonic saline: 513 mmol/L sodium (more than 3 times the concentration of normal saline)
- 0.45% saline (half-normal): 77 mmol/L sodium (half the concentration of normal saline)
- Lactated Ringer's solution: 130 mmol/L sodium (slightly less than normal saline)