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Multiple Choice
If the fluid surrounding a patient's red blood cells is depleted in electrolytes, is crenation or hemolysis more likely to occur?
A
crenation
B
hemolysis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concepts of crenation and hemolysis: Crenation occurs when cells shrink due to water loss in a hypertonic solution, while hemolysis occurs when cells swell and burst in a hypotonic solution.
Identify the condition of the fluid surrounding the red blood cells: The problem states that the fluid is depleted in electrolytes, which suggests a hypotonic environment.
Relate the hypotonic environment to the behavior of red blood cells: In a hypotonic solution, water moves into the cells due to osmosis, causing them to swell.
Determine the likely outcome for the red blood cells: Since the fluid is hypotonic, the red blood cells are more likely to undergo hemolysis, where they swell and potentially burst.
Conclude that hemolysis is the correct answer: Given the hypotonic condition, hemolysis is more likely to occur than crenation.