A patient arrives in the hospital extremely dehydrated. In order to fill his cells with fluid what type of
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Hypotonic solution
Explanation (300 words):
When a patient arrives at the hospital extremely dehydrated, the primary concern is restoring fluid balance both in the bloodstream and within the body’s cells. To rehydrate the cells specifically, a hypotonic solution is used.
A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes (like sodium and other electrolytes) than the fluid inside the cells. As a result, it has a higher concentration of water relative to the inside of the cells. When this type of solution is infused intravenously, water moves from the extracellular space (blood plasma) into the cells by osmosis—the natural movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration.
This inward flow of water causes the cells to rehydrate and swell, which is especially important in severe dehydration, where cellular function is impaired due to fluid loss. Common examples of hypotonic solutions used in clinical settings include 0.45% sodium chloride (also called half-normal saline) and 5% dextrose in water (D5W), though D5W becomes hypotonic only after the sugar is metabolized.
It is crucial, however, to administer hypotonic solutions cautiously. If too much is given too quickly, it can lead to cellular overhydration (cell swelling), which may result in cell lysis (rupture) or cause dangerous swelling in vital organs like the brain—a condition called cerebral edema.
In summary, hypotonic solutions are ideal for treating dehydration at the cellular level because they encourage water to enter the cells, correcting the fluid deficit inside them. Proper assessment and monitoring by medical professionals are essential to ensure safe and effective rehydration therapy.