Which term is the liquid in which a solute is dissolved?

Which term is the liquid in which a solute is dissolved?

• A. Solute
• B. Solvent
• C. Standing orders
• D. Synthetic

Answer: (B)

In solutions, the liquid that dissolves another substance is called the solvent. The substance being dissolved is the solute. So the liquid in which a solute is dissolved is the solvent, which is why this term fits best. In prehospital pharmacology, you often dissolve a drug in a solvent such as sterile water or normal saline before administration; the solvent determines the final concentration and compatibility of the preparation. Solute refers to the dissolved substance itself, not the liquid. Standing orders are clinical protocols, not a chemical term. Synthetic describes the origin or nature of a compound, not the dissolving medium.

In solutions, the liquid that dissolves another substance is called the solvent. The substance being dissolved is the solute. So the liquid in which a solute is dissolved is the solvent, which is why this term fits best. In prehospital pharmacology, you often dissolve a drug in a solvent such as sterile water or normal saline before administration; the solvent determines the final concentration and compatibility of the preparation.

Solute refers to the dissolved substance itself, not the liquid. Standing orders are clinical protocols, not a chemical term. Synthetic describes the origin or nature of a compound, not the dissolving medium.