Assignment task:
As you all should know, the body likes to stay in a state of homeostasis. When something within the body changes, something else follows suit to try and balance it out. Fluid balance plays a big role in maintaining homeostasis. So, let's talk about CELLS. Most cell walls are semi permeable membranes. This means they will allow the passage of solvents, but not solutes. This is how water (a solvent) is distributed throughout the body.
NaCl 0.9% is isotonic (Normal saline) This is normal tonicity in cellular fluid.
Hypertonic solutions have higher concentrations of solutes and less water.
Hypotonic solutions are just the opposite. If a cell is introduced to a hypotonic solution the cell will swell because water will pass through the membrane from area of higher water concentration to lower, in order to try and balance the solvent to solute ratio.
So why did I go way back to this? Because we can apply it clinically!
Given what you know please answer the following
- Physicians sometimes order nebulized NaCl at concentrations of 3%-10%
1. Would this be an example of hypertonic or hypotonic solution?
2. Explain what you think would happen at the cellular level if this solution where introduced.
3. What would be the clinical purpose of this order?