Final answer:
If "free water" is given to a patient intravenously, it can lead to water intoxication or water poisoning. This can disrupt the body's electrolyte balance and cause symptoms such as nausea, headache, confusion, seizures, and even coma or death.
Step-by-step explanation:
If "free water" is given to a patient intravenously, it can lead to a condition called water intoxication or water poisoning. This occurs when there is an excessive intake of water, leading to an imbalance in the body's electrolyte levels. The excess water dilutes the electrolytes in the blood, disrupting proper cell function and potentially causing symptoms such as nausea, headache, confusion, seizures, and in severe cases, coma or even death.
In a medical setting, intravenous fluids are carefully balanced with electrolytes to maintain the body's normal physiology. Giving plain water intravenously can disrupt this delicate balance and have serious consequences.
For example, in the case of hyponatremia, where there is already a low sodium level in the body, giving "free water" intravenously can further exacerbate this condition and worsen the symptoms.
Learn more about Water intoxication