What is a potential complication of administering hypotonic IV fluids?

Administering hypotonic IV fluids can lead to cellular edema and possible hemolysis because these types of solutions have a lower concentration of solutes compared to the fluids inside cells. When hypotonic fluids are infused, the osmotic gradient shifts, causing water to move from the extracellular space into the intracellular space in an attempt to balance solute concentrations. This influx of water can lead to swelling (edema) of cells. If the cells take in too much water, they may rupture, leading to hemolysis, particularly in red blood cells, where the result can be a release of hemoglobin into the plasma and potential complications in the patient.

In contrast, dehydration refers to a deficit of body water, which would not typically result from hypotonic fluid administration; rather, it occurs when fluid loss exceeds intake. Similarly, constipation is unrelated to fluid administration directly in this context, and while infection at the IV site is a risk associated with any IV therapy, it does not specifically result from the type of fluid administered.