You have a patient who is showing signs of edema (tissue swelling)all over his body.In addition to visible swelling in his hands,feet,and face,you can also see evidence of swelling around his organs when viewing his CAT scan images.Thinking about what you know about the factors that regulate fluid flow from the blood vessels.Which of the following causes of edema seem most likely?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Edema is caused by an imbalance of fluid movement between the blood vessels and the interstitial space. Plasma proteins are important in maintaining the osmotic pressure in the blood vessels, which helps to draw fluid back into the vessels. In liver failure, there is a decrease in the synthesis of plasma proteins, which can lead to decreased osmotic pressure and increased fluid leakage into the interstitial space, causing edema.

You Have a Patient Who Is Showing Signs of Edema