Final answer:
The administration of isotonic crystalloid solutions like normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution is crucial in medical treatments to maintain osmotic balance and avoid hemolysis or cell shrinkage. These fluids should be isotonic to prevent red blood cell damage, which would indicate an inappropriate solution was used if hemolysis occurred. The correct answer is True
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement in question refers to the administration of isotonic crystalloid solutions, which are commonly used in medical settings to treat or prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. When a human patient is dehydrated, they are often given fluids intravenously that are isotonic with respect to body fluids. This helps to ensure that the fluids do not cause a significant shift in the balance of electrolytes in the patient's blood, which can be dangerous. Both normal saline and lactated Ringer's solution are isotonic and are routinely used for IV administration. It's essential that isotonic solutions such as these are used because they have the same concentration of solutes as the blood, which helps maintain osmotic balance and prevents red blood cells from either bursting (in a hypotonic solution) or shrinking (in a hypertonic solution). For instance, if a patient's red blood cells burst after being injected with a solution that was supposed to be isotonic, it suggests that the solution was actually hypotonic, because a hypotonic solution would cause water to move into the cells, leading to them bursting, a condition known as hemolysis.