Which term describes swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues?

Which term describes swelling caused by excess fluid in body tissues?

• A. Edema
• B. Overhydration
• C. Hypernatremia
• D. Alkalosis

Answer: (A)

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces of body tissues. This happens when the forces that move fluid between blood vessels and tissues become imbalanced or when drainage is impaired. For example, higher capillary hydrostatic pressure (as in venous congestion or heart failure) pushes more fluid into tissues; lower plasma oncotic pressure (from low albumin) reduces the pull of fluid back into vessels; increased capillary permeability (inflammation) allows more fluid to escape; or lymphatic obstruction prevents drainage of interstitial fluid. Edema can be localized or widespread and may present as pitting swelling in some cases. The other terms refer to different issues—overhydration is too much total body water, hypernatremia is high blood sodium, and alkalosis is a blood pH imbalance—so they do not specifically describe the tissue-fluid accumulation that defines edema.

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid accumulating in the interstitial spaces of body tissues. This happens when the forces that move fluid between blood vessels and tissues become imbalanced or when drainage is impaired. For example, higher capillary hydrostatic pressure (as in venous congestion or heart failure) pushes more fluid into tissues; lower plasma oncotic pressure (from low albumin) reduces the pull of fluid back into vessels; increased capillary permeability (inflammation) allows more fluid to escape; or lymphatic obstruction prevents drainage of interstitial fluid. Edema can be localized or widespread and may present as pitting swelling in some cases. The other terms refer to different issues—overhydration is too much total body water, hypernatremia is high blood sodium, and alkalosis is a blood pH imbalance—so they do not specifically describe the tissue-fluid accumulation that defines edema.