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

Answer 1

When an IV solution containing 1.5% sodium chloride is introduced into a person, it is considered a hypertonic solution compared to the normal isotonic environment of 0.9% sodium chloride in human red blood cells.

In a hypertonic solution, water will move out of the red blood cells to try to equalize the solute concentration inside and outside the cells. As a result, the red blood cells would lose water and shrink.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

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