© 2026 Mnemonic Rose RN. All rights reserved.
, HYPERTONIC SOLUTIONS STUDY SHEET
HYPERTONIC SOLUTIONS
"Water Walks Out"
Easy Way to Remember
When a solution is hypertonic, there are more particles outside the cell than inside. Water
naturally moves toward the area with more particles.
? Think:
"Water walks out to where the crowd is."
What Happens?
CELL ➜ WATER LEAVES ➜ CELL SHRINKS
Common Hypertonic Fluids
• 3% Sodium Chloride
• D5NS
• D10W
• D5LR
Why Are Hypertonic Fluids Used?
• Severe hyponatremia
• Cerebral edema
• Increased intracranial pressure
• Situations where fluid needs to move out of swollen cells
Assessment Findings
• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Restlessness
• Irritability
, HYPERTONIC SOLUTIONS STUDY SHEET
HYPERTONIC SOLUTIONS
"Water Walks Out"
Easy Way to Remember
When a solution is hypertonic, there are more particles outside the cell than inside. Water
naturally moves toward the area with more particles.
? Think:
"Water walks out to where the crowd is."
What Happens?
CELL ➜ WATER LEAVES ➜ CELL SHRINKS
Common Hypertonic Fluids
• 3% Sodium Chloride
• D5NS
• D10W
• D5LR
Why Are Hypertonic Fluids Used?
• Severe hyponatremia
• Cerebral edema
• Increased intracranial pressure
• Situations where fluid needs to move out of swollen cells
Assessment Findings
• Thirst
• Dry mouth
• Dry skin
• Restlessness
• Irritability
