Question

When a severely dehydrated patient is brought to the hospital, an intravenous drip of saline is started immediately. Sterile deionized water is not used because______-

Answer 1

Severely dehydrated patients are given an isotonic saline solution intravenously to maintain osmolarity and prevent hemolysis, ensuring safe and effective rehydration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sterile deionized water is not used for rehydration of severely dehydrated patients because it can lead to potentially dangerous cellular imbalances. Instead, isotonic saline solution is used as an intravenous drip because it matches the osmolarity of the body's fluids, preventing the destructive phenomenon of hemolysis (rupture of red blood cells). When rehydration therapy is needed, an isotonic saline solution ensures that the electrolyte balance is maintained, thereby supporting the correction of dehydration without adverse effects on the patient's red blood cells or overall physiology.