A person is admited into the hospital an unknown ailment. The patient is seen by Triage and immediately put on intravenous liquid or more commonly known as an IV by a brand new nurse Unfortunately for the patient the nurse did not property prepare the IV and hooked the patient to an IV fluid line consisting only of distilled water.

What will mostly likely occur to this patient’s red blood cells if the IV dispenses its contents in its totality?

A) The environment in the patient’s blood will be isotonic if the cells and their environment have reached equilibrium, cells will remain the same size.

B) The environment inside and outside the patient’s cells will be isotonic and may cause the cells to burst.

C) The environment around the patients cells will be hypotonic and cause the cells to shrink.

D) The environment inside the patient’s cells will be hypertonic and may cause the cells to burst.