The diagrams represent various states of abnormal hydration. In each diagram, the normal state (solid lines) is superimposed on the abnormal state (dashed lines) to illustrate the shifts in the volumes (width of rectangles) and total osmolarities (height of rectangles) of the extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid compartments.

-Which of the diagrams represents the changes (after osmotic equilibrium) in extracellular and intracellular fluid volumes and osmolarities after infusion of a 2% solution of glucose (molecular weight of glucose = 180 g/mol)?

Question

The diagrams represent various states of abnormal hydration. In each diagram, the normal state (solid lines) is superimposed on the abnormal state (dashed lines) to illustrate the shifts in the volumes (width of rectangles) and total osmolarities (height of rectangles) of the extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid compartments.

-Which of the diagrams represents the changes (after osmotic equilibrium) in extracellular and intracellular fluid volumes and osmolarities after infusion of a 2% solution of glucose (molecular weight of glucose = 180 g/mol)?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infusion of a 2% solution of glucose would increase the extracellular fluid volume (ECV), as glucose does not penetrate the cell membrane, and it would attract water from inside the cells to the ECV. This is reflected in the diagram by an increase in the width of the ECV rectangle. The intracellular fluid volume (ICV) would decrease, as water would move out of the cells into the ECV, causing a decrease in the width of the ICV rectangle. The total osmolarity of the ECV would also increase, as glucose is an osmotic solute, and the increase in its concentration would attract water from the ICV. This is reflected in the increase in the height of the ECV rectangle. The total osmolarity of the ICV would decrease, as water is moving out of the cells, diluting the solutes that were previously concentrated in the ICV. This is reflected in the decrease in the height of the ICV rectangle. These changes are illustrated in diagram B.

The Diagrams Represent Various States of Abnormal Hydration