A hospital pharmacy keeps a 5.0 M stock solution of NaCl on hand
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Amount of substance · Amount of substance
Problem
A hospital pharmacy keeps a 5.0 M stock solution of NaCl on hand. A pharmacist intends to prepare two new solutions:
• Solution A: 500 mL of 0.15 M NaCl (physiological saline)
• Solution B: 250 mL of 0.30 M NaCl
During preparation, an intern accidentally combines 15 mL of the 5.0 M stock with water and brings the total volume to 250 mL, labeling the mixture as "Solution B."
(a) Calculate the actual concentration (in M) of NaCl in the mislabeled "Solution B."
(b) Without calculating an exact numerical value for Solution A, compare the concentration you found in part (a) with the intended concentration of Solution A and state which is higher.
(c) Provide a reasoned assessment of the potential physiological consequences if the mislabeled "Solution B" were administered intravenously under the assumption that it was 0.30 M.