D5W 1/2 NS in pulmonary embolism

Can anyone help me to explain why D5W1/2NS, continuous infusion, is used in the treatment of pulmonary embolism with complications of bilateral lobe infiltrates? Is it a hypertonic or hypotonic solution? How does it specifically work? Thanks!
Will defer to Daytonite. 8-(http://allnurses.com/nursing-student...-a-254946.html

Funny when I had PE's ten on one lung 12 in the other I did not get that treatment.

It's just maintenance fluid. Your not actually treating the PE, you are just giving it as part of standard care.

Quote from equinas82Can anyone help me to explain why D5W1/2NS, continuous infusion, is used in the treatment of pulmonary embolism with complications of bilateral lobe infiltrates? Is it a hypertonic or hypotonic solution? How does it specifically work? Thanks!

D51/2 NS is hypotonic, as is plain 1/2 NS. NS, LR and D5NS are the only 3 isotonic solutions I remember. I only ever learned fluids as they function upon introduction to the bloodstream.Please refresh this tired brain if I am wrong.

According to emedicine: "Fluid loading should be avoided unless the patient's hemodynamic condition is deteriorating rapidly, because IV fluids may worsen the patient's condition."

As far as I know, the maintenance fluid has nothing to do with the treatment of the PE. Heparin drip would.