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A 10% dextrose solution is isotonic to plasma (T/F?)

User Max Linke
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Final answer:

A 10% dextrose solution is not isotonic to plasma; it is actually hypertonic because typical isotonic solutions are either 0.9% saline or 5% dextrose solutions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is asking whether a 10% dextrose solution is isotonic to human plasma. Isotonic solutions have the same osmotic pressure as the fluid found inside cells, typically the blood plasma in the human body. According to LibreTexts, typical isotonic solutions include 0.9% saline (NaCl) solution or a 5% dextrose solution. Therefore, a 10% dextrose solution would be hypertonic rather than isotonic. When red blood cells are placed in a hypertonic solution, they undergo crenation, which means they shrink due to the flow of water out of the cell being greater than the flow into the cell. As a result, the assertion that a 10% dextrose solution is isotonic is false.

User Asaf Nevo
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