Liver disease often results in the reduced production of plasma proteins. What effect will the resulting hypoproteinemia (low protein in the blood) have on fluid distribution in the body?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fluid shifts out of the blood into the interstitial fluid when plasma protein levels are low because plasma proteins, particularly albumin, help maintain the blood's osmotic pressure. A decrease in osmotic pressure leads to fluid moving out of the blood vessels and accumulating in the interstitial spaces, causing edema.

Liver Disease Often Results in the Reduced Production of Plasma