What might happen to red blood cells if distilled water was used by mistake?

Question

This is if a patient has been in an accident and needs extra fluids by way a vein in the arm.

Answer 1

If a red blood cell is placed in a solution that is more diluted than water will rush through the cell membrane by osmosis to try and restore equilibrium. If the solution is dilute enough, enough water will rush in that the cell membrane comes under too much pressure and the cell in question will in the simplest terms, explode.

However, fluids given IV are not just affected red blood cells - they affect every living tissue in the body. not only blood, but extra celllular fluid and lymph will become diluted and the isotonic balance in the body will be disrupted. The body's response to this is to get rid of the excess fluid to restore the concentration. So, depending on how much is given, it'll probably be excreted via the kidneys and balance, but there are cases where so much fluid has been intaken that the person has literally drowned in their own fluid (although these are usually associated with cases of drug intake where the drug not only impairs kidney function but also judgement)

Answer 2

Hello,

If distilled water was used by mistake (depends upon the amount or volume of water given and the condition of the patient). Then the blood would become thinner, meaning the volume of fluid in the blood increased and therefore the % or number of red blood cells in the blood went down. Which then means the blood would be less effiecent at carrying oxygen to the required organs & parts of the body.

**Meaning a reduction in oxygen saturation levels, which yes! could potentially have life threatening results depending upon the case/patient. (say if the patient was already in a critical state, say in ITU in hospital). It really does depend upon the health of the person to start with, its relative in my opinion.

**If the volume of water given was small it wouldnt be life critical or life threatening & the person would probably recover from any adverse reaction/s.

IR

Answer 3

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Answer 4

It would cause the red cells to absorb water by osmosis and burst open under internal pressure!

Answer 5

they would haemolyse, explode becuase they have no cell walls to limit the amount of water that diffuses in and distilled water is less concetrated so it difuses in

Answer 6

It will ppted