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Some time ago in a teaching hospital far, far away, a familiar IV bag sparked an unfamiliar question. Why does a fluid that contains lactate not worsen lactic acidosis? Why is it safe in septic shock — and even preferred? And why do its electrolytes matter more than most of us were ever taught? 

In this episode of The Clinical Etymologist, we follow an emergency department encounter to unpack the physiology, history, and misconceptions behind Lactated Ringer’s.