A patient is in need of hydration. Which type of solution are the patient's cells most likely in?

• A. Isotonic solution
• B. Hypertonic solution
• C. Supersaturated solution
• D. Hypotonic solution

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definitions of the terms: Isotonic, Hypertonic, Supersaturated, and Hypotonic solutions. Isotonic solutions have equal concentrations of solutes inside and outside the cell, Hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell, Supersaturated solutions are not biologically relevant in this context, and Hypotonic solutions have a lower concentration of solutes outside the cell.
2. Consider the effect of each type of solution on the movement of water across the cell membrane. Water moves by osmosis from areas of lower solute concentration to areas of higher solute concentration.
3. Analyze the patient's need for hydration. If the cells are dehydrated, it suggests that water has moved out of the cells, which typically happens in a hypertonic solution where the solute concentration outside the cell is higher than inside.
4. Eliminate options that do not match the scenario. Supersaturated solutions are not relevant to cell hydration, and isotonic solutions would not cause dehydration as they maintain equilibrium. Hypotonic solutions would cause water to move into the cells, not out.
5. Conclude that the patient's cells are most likely in a hypertonic solution, as this would explain the dehydration and the need for hydration.