Question

A 10-year-old patient presents with vomiting and confusion after drinking an excess of water. The patient is diagnosed with hyponatremia.

What phenomenon may be displayed through analysis of the patient's cells?

Answer 1

Hyponatremia can cause cellular swelling or cell edema due to increased entry of water into cells by osmosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hyponatremia, a lower-than-normal concentration of sodium, can result in a phenomenon known as cellular swelling or cell edema. At the cellular level, hyponatremia causes increased entry of water into cells by osmosis. This occurs because the concentration of solutes within the cell exceeds the concentration of solutes in the now-diluted extracellular fluid (ECF). The excess water causes the cells to swell, including red blood cells and neurons in the brain, which can lead to brain damage or even death.