Asked by Brendan Nicholas on May 20, 2024
Verified
A patient who has had a severe hemorrhage accidentally receives a large transfusion of distilled water directly into a major blood vessel. What effect will this have on the patient?
A) It will have no unfavorable effect as long as the water is free from bacteria.
B) It will have serious, perhaps fatal consequences because there would be too much fluid to pump.
C) It will have serious, perhaps fatal consequences because the red blood cells could shrink.
D) It will have serious, perhaps fatal consequences because the red blood cells could swell and burst.
E) It will have no serious effect because the kidney could quickly eliminate excess water.
Distilled Water
Water that has been purified by distillation, removing impurities and minerals.
Hemorrhage
The escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, which can occur internally or externally.
Red Blood Cells
The cells in the blood responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returning carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
- Detail the consequences of osmotic pressure on cellular environments.
Verified Answer
SA
Sofia AntillonMay 21, 2024
Final Answer :
D
Explanation :
Infusing distilled water directly into the bloodstream will lead to hypotonic conditions, causing red blood cells to swell and potentially burst (hemolysis), which can have serious or fatal consequences.
Learning Objectives
- Detail the consequences of osmotic pressure on cellular environments.