MannitolMannitol can be truly useful in clinical settings as a diagnostic agent, osmotic diuretic and urinary irrigant. The chemical class of mannitol is hexahydroxyl alcohol and is a category B pregnancy drug. Mannitol is a six-carbon sugar and is known by the generic name mannitol or Osmitrol, which is the most common brand name. Mannitol is usually available as a 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25% injection. Mannitol is considered a diuretic that promotes urine production. It is also useful for preventing kidney failure. It increases the osmotic pressure of the glomerular filtrate, inhibiting the reabsorption of water and electrolytes and creates an osmotic gradient in the glomerular filtrate and blood (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008, p.183). Mannitol has its main effect in the proximal tubule and the descending branch of the loop of Henle. The concentration of water is reabsorbed along the tubule, thus the concentration of mannitol increases. “The tubular sodium concentration is then reduced, creating a gradient for the black flow of sodium reabsorbed into the tubule, and natriuresis (albeit of a lesser magnitude) accompanies diuresis” (Ronco, Bellomo & Kellum, 2009, p. 552) . Mannitol produces excess diuresis in natriuresis, and if there is excessive water loss, there is a risk of hypernatremia and hyperkalemia. Mannitol is mainly used as prevention and treatment of the oliguric phase of renal failure. Additionally, it reduces ICP (intracranial pressure) and IOP (intraocular pressure) and is often used as a treatment for brain edema. Mannitol promotes the urinary emptying of toxic substances such as salicylates, bromides and lithium. It is also used as a diagnostic tool in measuring GFR (glomerular phil... center of paper... medication errors. Works CitedDrug Guide. (nd). ATI Nursing Education. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from http://www .atitesting.com/ati_next_gen/Student/DrugGuideSearchPage.aspx?TermHint=mannitolKarch, AM (2014) Lippincott Nursing Drug Guide Ambler, Pennsylvania: Lippincott William & Wilkins.Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2008 ). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.Pharmacokinetics (n.d.). Dictionary/PharmacokineticsRonco, C., Bellomo, R., & Kellum, JA (2009) Critical Care Nephrology (2nd ed.: Saunders Elsevier.Taylor, C. (2011) The Art and Science of Nursing (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.