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?
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.
c. Their red blood cells would absorb water across their cell membrane and begin to swell.
Since the IV solution has a higher concentration of sodium chloride than the red blood cells, water would move into the red blood cells through the process of osmosis, causing them to swell. Eventually, this could lead to bursting of the cells if the solution is not adjusted to be more isotonic with the red blood cells.