Question

When a patient comes to a hospital with severe dehydration, doctors will give
them an IV filled with a salt-water solution called saline, which is isotonic with
the body's blood cells.
Why is the patient not given pure water?

Answer 1

Answer:

The red blood cells could burst.

Explanation:

If they are given pure water, the IV fluid will be hypotonic to the blood cells. That means water will end the red blood cells by osmosis, from a high concentration outside to a lower concentration inside.

This will result in the red blood cells becoming swollen and even potential  bursting.