Patients who enter the emergency room dehydrated are usually given sterile saline solution intravenously. The solution administered is isotonic to prevent cell damage. What would happen if the solution was hypotonic?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypotonic solutions have a lower osmotic pressure compared to the inside of cells, causing water to move into the cells, which can lead to cell swelling and potentially hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells).

Patients Who Enter the Emergency Room Dehydrated Are Usually Given