Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is a type of crystalloid?

1. Dextrans

2. Albumin

3. 0.9% Sodium Chloride

4. Pentastarch

The correct answer is: 0.9% Sodium Chloride

Crystalloids are solutions that contain water, electrolytes, and other substances that can easily pass through cell membranes. They are commonly used in medical settings for fluid replacement and maintenance of hydration. Among the choices provided, 0.9% Sodium Chloride is a classic example of a crystalloid solution. 0.9% Sodium Chloride, also known as normal saline, is isotonic with blood plasma and is frequently used to restore fluid balance in patients. It helps in the promotion of hydration, maintaining blood volume, and correcting electrolyte imbalances. Its ability to distribute throughout the body's extracellular fluid makes it a fundamental choice in both resuscitation and routine fluid replacement. In contrast, dextrans and pentastarch are types of colloids, which contain larger molecules and are typically used to expand plasma volume due to their ability to draw water into the intravascular space. Albumin is also a colloid, often utilized for similar purposes in clinical practice but derived from blood plasma. These colloids differ from crystalloids in their mechanism of action and effects on fluid distribution in the body.