Question

A glucose solution being administered with an IV has a flow rate of4.00cm3/min. What will the new flow rate be if the glucose is replaced by whole blood having the same density but a viscosity 2.50 times that of the glucose? All other factors remain constant.

(a) 4.00 cm³/min
(b) 1.60 cm³/min
(c) 10.00 cm³/min
(d) 16.00 cm³/min

Answer 1

The new flow rate of whole blood with 2.50 times the viscosity of glucose through the same IV will be 1.60 cm³/min, as flow rate is inversely proportional to viscosity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The flow rate of a fluid through a tube depends on various factors, including the fluid's viscosity. According to Poiseuille's law, the flow rate (Q) is inversely proportional to the viscosity of the fluid (η). When the viscosity increase by a factor of 2.50, we can expect the flow rate to decrease by the same factor, provided all other conditions such as pressure and tube dimensions remain constant. The original flow rate of the glucose solution is 4.00 cm³/min. Therefore, the new flow rate of the blood would be 4.00 cm³/min divided by 2.50, resulting in a new flow rate of 1.60 cm³/min.