In administering IV fluids to address dehydration from diarrhea, which solution would help restore electrolyte balance?

The choice of 0.9% sodium chloride, also known as normal saline, is the most appropriate in restoring electrolyte balance in cases of dehydration due to diarrhea. This solution closely resembles the body's plasma in terms of sodium and chloride concentration, making it effective for fluid resuscitation.

When a patient experiences diarrhea, significant loss of fluids is accompanied by the loss of electrolytes, particularly sodium and chloride. Administering normal saline helps to rehydrate the patient while replenishing the critical electrolytes lost. It is isotonic, meaning it has the same osmolarity as blood plasma, which aids in ensuring effective fluid distribution in the extracellular space.

Other solutions, while useful in different contexts, may not provide the most balanced approach for restoring electrolytes after such losses. For example, 5% dextrose in normal saline contains glucose and water but may not adequately address the immediate electrolyte deficits from diarrhea. Hypertonic saline solutions, typically used for severe hyponatremia, could lead to complications, such as fluid overload or cellular dehydration, if not managed properly. Normal saline with potassium would be beneficial if there were a known potassium deficit, but truly addressing dehydration and electrolyte balance effectively relies primarily on sodium and chloride replacement initially.

Thus,