Question

A patient who has diarrhea receives a 3% saline solution intravenously to replace the sodium and chloride lost in the stool. What effect will this fluid replacement have on cells?

A. Become hydrated
B. Swell or burst
C. Shrink
D. Divide

Answer 1

C. Shrink. The 3% saline solution given to a patient with diarrhea will cause the cells to shrink.

Step-by-step explanation:

The 3% saline solution given to a patient with diarrhea will have the effect of causing the cells to shrink. This is because the solution is hypertonic, meaning it has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the cells. In a hypertonic solution, water will leave the cells, leading to cell shrinkage.