You are assisting an ALS provider to initiate IV therapy for a 62 year old with a probable ruptured spleen. She asks you to help prepare 0.9% normal saline with macrodrip tubing. While preparing the equipment you realize that she chose this combination because:

a. normal saline is an ideal solution for patients that require the administration of medications.
b. macrodrip tubing has a small needle within the chamber, which is ideal for the slow infusion of fluids.
c. normal saline acts as a catalyst that helps move drugs out of the bloodstream and into the tissues.
d. normal saline is an ideal volume expander that is useful in treating shock.

Answer: d