Which drug can crystallize if exposed to very low temperatures?

Which drug can crystallize if exposed to very low temperatures?

• A. Dextrose
• B. Sodium chloride
• C. Mannitol
• D. Potassium chloride

Answer: (C)

Freezing or very cold storage can push a solution beyond what can stay dissolved, causing the solute to come out as crystals. Mannitol is a high-concentration IV solute with relatively limited solubility in water, so when its solution is cooled, it can precipitate into crystals. This crystallization creates particulates that can be harmful if infused, so temperature control is important for mannitol preparations. Dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride remain dissolved more easily at low temperatures given the concentrations typically used in IV solutions, so they are far less likely to crystallize under ordinary cold storage.

Freezing or very cold storage can push a solution beyond what can stay dissolved, causing the solute to come out as crystals. Mannitol is a high-concentration IV solute with relatively limited solubility in water, so when its solution is cooled, it can precipitate into crystals. This crystallization creates particulates that can be harmful if infused, so temperature control is important for mannitol preparations. Dextrose, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride remain dissolved more easily at low temperatures given the concentrations typically used in IV solutions, so they are far less likely to crystallize under ordinary cold storage.