Final answer:
The new flow rate of whole blood with 2.50 times the viscosity of glucose is 1.60 cm³/min, calculated by dividing the original glucose flow rate (4.00 cm³/min) by the increase in viscosity (2.50).
Step-by-step explanation:
If we are given a flow rate of a glucose solution via an IV as 4.00 cm³/min and we are asked to calculate the new flow rate when glucose is replaced with whole blood of the same density but with a viscosity 2.50 times that of glucose, we need to understand that the flow rate of a fluid through a tube is proportional to the inverse of its viscosity, assuming all other factors are constant, according to Poiseuille's law. Since the only changing factor is viscosity, we can predict that the flow rate of blood would be reduced.
The new flow rate can be calculated by dividing the original flow rate by the factor of increase in viscosity. So, we take the original flow rate of glucose, which is 4.00 cm³/min, and divide it by 2.50, which gives us the new flow rate for the whole blood.
4.00 cm³/min ÷ 2.50 = 1.60 cm³/min
Thus, the new flow rate when infusing whole blood with 2.50 times the viscosity of glucose, while keeping all other factors constant, will be 1.60 cm³/min.