Answer to Question #126657 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for Ramseyer Brace

Question

When a person receives intravenous fluids to help build up blood volume, why is it important for the fluid to be isotonic?

Answer 1

An isotonic solution is one that has the same osmotic pressure a the tissue fluids. It does not attract water from the tissue or blood cells and neither will water pass from it to the tissues and expect by the normal process of filtration.