← Chapter 11
Pharmacology · Chapter 11

Isotonic, Hypotonic & Hypertonic Fluids

An IV fluid can pull water into a cell, push it out, or leave it be — it all depends on how the fluid's solute concentration compares to the blood. Switch between the three tonicities and watch the red cell respond.

A red cell in the fluid

Water always moves toward the saltier side. Compare the fluid to the blood to predict which way it flows.
Three tonicitiestap one to compare