Question

Cholera patient is administered by ‘saline drip’ because
A. Na+ ions are essential for the transport of substances across the membrane.
B. Na+ ions are helpful to conserving water in the body
C. Cl- ions are helpful in the formation HCL for digestion
D. Cl- ions is significant component of blood plasma

Answer 1

Hint:- Cholera is a bacterial disease of the small intestine and is caused by Vibrio cholera. Vibrio cholerae is a gram-negative comma shaped bacteria. The disease is transmitted by contaminated water. The characteristic features of cholera are excessive vomiting and diarrhea with watery stools, which leads to excessive dehydration in the body.

Complete step-by-step solution:-
The treatment for Cholera aims at replacing the lost water, fluids, and electrolytes with a solution known as oral rehydration salts (ORS). The oral rehydration solution is available in powder form that can be easily reconstituted with boiled or bottled water. This treatment is called rehydration therapy. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics are advised to the severely dehydrated cholera patients who are severely ill.Administration of saline aids in Na-K pump but also symports glucose with sodium inside the cells
Hence, the cholera patients are administered by saline drip i.e NaCl as the sodium ions in it help in retaining the water in the human body. The supplementation of zinc is also advised because it shortens the duration of diarrhea. So, the correct answer to the question is option B.ie., Na+ ions are helpful to conserving water in the body

Note:- Vibrio produces a toxin which causes a series of metabolic reactions which leads to activation of adenylate cyclase in the intestines. The increased level of cAMP causes increased secretion of chloride ions, bicarbonate ions, and water into the intestinal lumen. It requires immediate symptomatic treatment or else can lead to death in a few hours due to severe dehydration which leads to electrolyte imbalance and death.