An IV infusion of mannitol (a hypertonic sugar solution)is used to decrease intracranial pressure in a head-injured patient because the mannitol

A) provides calories for the healing of the injured brain.
B) is absorbed by the injured brain cells and pulls water into the brain cells from the tissue fluid.
C) pulls water out of the interstitium of the brain into the capillaries, thereby relieving edema.
D) "clumps" the plasma proteins together, thereby severely diminishing plasma oncotic pressure.