Which fluid is considered isotonic crystalloid for initial septic shock resuscitation?

• A. 0.45% saline
• B. Hypertonic saline
• C. Normal saline
• D. Albumin

Answer: (C)

Isotonic crystalloids have an osmolality close to that of plasma and primarily stay in the intravascular space when given, making themIdeal for rapidly expanding circulating volume during septic shock resuscitation. Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is the classic isotonic crystalloid and serves as the first-line fluid to restore perfusion quickly. The other options don’t fit this role: hypotonic solutions would shift fluid into cells and potentially worsen perfusion deficits; hypertonic saline is more tightly controlled and used in specific scenarios, not as routine initial resuscitation; albumin is a colloid, not a crystalloid, and its use follows crystalloids in certain strategies rather than replacing them as the initial fluid choice.