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Silver Nitrate


- Silver nitrate is applied as a 0.5% solution in saturated multilayered dressings;
- although the solution is painless, the dressings may be uncomfortable and will decrease patient mobility;
    - it is usually applied as multilayered soaks;
- silver nitrate solution has a broad antibacterial spectrum;
- it precipitates on contact with tissues and does not penetrate the eschar;
- electrolyte abnormalities, alkalosis,, and water loading are common;
- there is typically a loss of sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium, into the dressings;
- hyponatremia may develop with suprising speed;
- nitrate reducing bacteria may metabolize Silver Nitrate into Methemo-globinemia