A patient experienced great blood loss. In an attempt to quickly replenish body
ID: 202784 • Letter: A
Question
A patient experienced great blood loss. In an attempt to quickly replenish body fluids, a volume of distilled water equal to the blood lost was introduced directly into a blood vein. What is the most likely result of this treatment?
The red blood cells are in danger of bursting because they were subjected to a hypotonic environment.
The red blood cells should be fine because they were subjected to an isotonic environment.
The red blood cells are in danger of shrinking because they were subjected to a hypertonic environment.
The red blood cells are unaffected because distilled water shares the same pH with the intracellular region of red blood cells.
a-The red blood cells are in danger of bursting because they were subjected to a hypotonic environment.
b-The red blood cells should be fine because they were subjected to an isotonic environment.
c-The red blood cells are in danger of shrinking because they were subjected to a hypertonic environment.
d-The red blood cells are unaffected because distilled water shares the same pH with the intracellular region of red blood cells.
Explanation / Answer
a. The red blood cells are in danger of bursting because they were subjected to a hypotonic environment.
Usually normal saline infusions are given instead of distilled water infusions. Distilled water would be hypotonic relative to the contents of the blood cells and could causes the cells to burst.
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