Final answer:
True, drinking a large amount of water can be fatal due to water intoxication or hyponatremia, which causes critical electrolyte dilution. The case of Jennifer Strange illustrates the severe consequences of excessive water consumption. In medical scenarios, if red blood cells burst after an isotonic saline injection, the solution was likely hypotonic, not isotonic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Drinking an excessive amount of water can indeed be harmful and potentially fatal, aligning with the idea that 'the dose makes the poison'. This is due to a condition known as water intoxication or hyponatremia, where too much water intake dilutes the electrolytes in the blood, particularly sodium, to dangerously low levels. This dilution can impair brain, muscle, and heart function.
For instance, water intoxication tragically occurred in Jennifer Strange's case, where consuming six liters of water in a short time led to a fatal outcome. The risk of dehydration is the opposite concern, particularly highlighted in situations of high environmental temperatures, during prolonged physical activity, or in illnesses causing significant fluid loss, like diarrhea or vomiting.
As for the scenario with the administered isotonic saline solution, if the autopsy showed that red blood cells had burst, the solution administered was most likely not isotonic. If it were truly isotonic, the red blood cell volume would remain stable. The bursting of the cells suggests the solution might have been hypotonic, causing water to rush into the cells, leading to lysis or bursting.