Question

Infusion of ______________ intravenous solutions promotes movement of water into cells, thus making the cells swell.

A.Isotonic

B.Hypertonic

C. Hypotonic

Answer 1

Infusion of Hypotonic intravenous solutions promotes movement of water into cells, thus making the cells swell.

Hypotonic solution has relatively lower concentration of solutes and lesser osmotic pressure. When a cell is surrounded by hypotonic solution, that results in inflow of extracellular water into the cell according to the water potential gradient to equalize the osmotic pressures inside and outside; ultimately cells start swelling.