Question

_Why is it a bad idea to give a patient an IV solute of pure water. Dont just describe what will happen to the patient when given the IV, make sure to explain clearly Why it will happen (include the words OSMOLARITY, TONICITY, DIFFUSION, OSMOSIS)

_What might be some symptoms your patient would experience from this IV solution and why would they experience these symptoms?

Answer 1

Pure water is hypotonic solution that contains lower salt concentration than external environment. Osmosis is the net mvement of water into the cell from high to low concentration. Since, pure water is hypotonic, water may enter the cell and the cells may become swollen and burst. The osmolarity of cell supplied with pure water is reduced because of water flow into the cells. The cell's tonicity is increased due to permeation of water into cells. The diffusion of water occurs from external environment into cells or high concentration to low concentration.

In patients given IV solute with pure water may result in swelling of cells and tissue resulting accumulation of water in interstitial spaces of tissue leading to edema and the red blood cells hemolysis due to intravenous supply of pure water or hypotonic solution.