Question

Why do the doctors administer saline (salt solution) only, but not the distilled water?

[Review question: Pg. No: 48]

Answer 1

1. Distilled water causes cells to lyse, so injecting distilled water into a vein will cause some degree of haemolysis.
2. Haemolysis is the rupture of red blood cells.
3. Large amount of distilled water would cause much more damage not just limited to haemolysis and also cause brain damage or cardiac arrest and death.
4. That is why fluids are administered to patients as saline (which include appropriate amount of salt)