An emergency room staff has been alerted by an ambulance of the imminent arrival of a patient who nearly drowned at a nearby beach.The ER staff should expect that the patient will have inhaled a large amount of water,and consequently will need to treat the patient for the effects of highly:
A)hypotonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell rupture.
B)hypotonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell dehydration.
C)hypertonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell dehydration.
D)hypertonic intracellular fluid, including possible cell rupture.

Question

An emergency room staff has been alerted by an ambulance of the imminent arrival of a patient who nearly drowned at a nearby beach.The ER staff should expect that the patient will have inhaled a large amount of water,and consequently will need to treat the patient for the effects of highly:​ 
A)hypotonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell rupture. 
B)hypotonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell dehydration. 
C)hypertonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell dehydration. 
D)hypertonic intracellular fluid, including possible cell rupture.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a person inhales a large amount of water, the water moves from the hypotonic extracellular fluid (in the lungs) into the hypertonic extracellular fluid (in the surrounding tissues). This leads to cell dehydration and can cause electrolyte imbalances, pulmonary edema, and other complications. Therefore, the ER staff should expect to treat the patient for the effects of hypertonic extracellular fluid, including possible cell dehydration.

An Emergency Room Staff Has Been Alerted by an Ambulance