why is it important for the intravenous fluids to have the same solute concentration as your blood?
Answer:
If the intravenous fluids did not have the same solute concentration, then the red blood cells would shrink, if the intravenous fluids were hypertonic or they would expand and possibly burst if the intravenous fluids were hypotonic.
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http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_hypertonic_and_hypotonic_and_isotonic_mean
Your answer is correct, but let me explain further how to get to that answer.
To understand why it is important for intravenous fluids to have the same solute concentration as your blood, we first need to understand the concept of tonicity. Tonicity refers to the relative concentration of solutes in a solution compared to another solution, typically the concentration of solutes in the blood.
When a solution has the same solute concentration as your blood, it is referred to as being isotonic. This means that the fluid inside and outside your red blood cells are in equilibrium, and there is no net movement of water. As a result, your red blood cells maintain their normal shape and function.
If the intravenous fluids were hypertonic, meaning they have a higher solute concentration than your blood, water will move out of the red blood cells into the solution to try to balance the concentration gradient. This causes the red blood cells to shrink, leading to potential damage and impairing their ability to carry oxygen.
On the other hand, if the intravenous fluids were hypotonic, meaning they have a lower solute concentration than your blood, water will move into the red blood cells to try to equalize the concentration gradient. This can cause the cells to swell and potentially burst, which can be dangerous and lead to complications.
Therefore, having intravenous fluids with the same solute concentration as your blood is crucial to ensure the proper balance of water and solutes in your body and to prevent any adverse effects on your red blood cells.