A Patient Has Questioned the Nurses Administration of IV Normal

A patient has questioned the nurses administration of IV normal saline, asking whether sterile water would be a more appropriate choice than saltwater. Under what circumstances would the nurse administer electrolyte-free water intravenously?

A) Never, because it rapidly enters red blood cells, causing them to rupture.
B) When the patient is severely dehydrated resulting in neurologic signs and symptoms
C) When the patient is in excess of calcium and/or magnesium ions
D) When a patients fluid volume deficit is due to acute or chronic renal failure