Terminology used to describe volume expanding resuscitation fluid

SummaryMany published reports state that the type of resuscitation fluid to be used for volume expansion should be “isotonic crystalloid” or “isotonic fluid”. Generally, this terminology refers to normal saline (NS) and lactated Ringer's (LR) solution. This terminology is suboptimal technically since not all “isotonic” crystalloids are sufficient volume expanders. A total of 48 reference books from the areas of general pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine, emergency medicine, pediatric critical care, pediatric surgery, general surgery, internal medicine, family medicine, adult critical care, obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, and life support course manuals were reviewed. The description of fluids for hypovolemic shock, trauma, and diabetic ketoacidosis resuscitation was accurate in 46% of the time.