hypertonic and hypotonic?

Question

Why is it important that solutions administered to hospital patients through an I.V. be isotonic? What would happen if the solution was hypertonic to the patient’s blood? What would happen if the solution was hypotonic?

Answer 1

The osmolarity of body fluid is tightly regulated. When you drink too much water, the excess water is removed by the kidney. When the body is dehydrated, you are urged to drink more water. Saline is a isotonic solution. meaning it has the same osmolarity as the body fluid. A hypertonic solution is one that is more concentrated than saline. A hypotonic solution is one that is more dilute than saline.

When a hypertonic solution is injected to a patient by iv, the water inside the cells moves out by osmosis. The cells will shrink and become dehydrated. When a hypotonic solution is injected to a patient by iv, excess water enters the cells, causing them to swell. The cells may burst as a result. Red blood cells are particular sensitive to osmosis.