Human red blood cells contain 0.9% sodium chloride as a component of their cytoplasm. What would happen if an IV solution containing 1.5% sodium chloride is introduced into a person?

Question

a
The red blood cells will first lose water across their cell membrane, then absorb water across their cell membrane.
b
Their red blood cells would lose water across their cell membrane and begin to shrink.
c
The red blood cells would first absorb water across their cell membrane, then lose water across their cell membrane.
d
Their red blood cells would absorb water across their cell membrane and begin to swell.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

b. Their red blood cells would lose water across their cell membrane and begin to shrink.

When an IV solution with 1.5% sodium chloride is introduced into the bloodstream, it is hypertonic relative to the human red blood cells, which have a concentration of 0.9% sodium chloride. The higher concentration of sodium chloride in the IV solution will draw water out of the red blood cells through osmosis, causing the cells to lose water and shrink.