Question

Mrs. F's blood work has come back and shows that she has low plasma osmolarity and decreased levels of plasma proteins and plasma K+K+. The doctor says, "This explains her edema!"How are plasma proteins related to edema?

Drag the terms to complete the summary of Mrs. F's protein problems.

Answer 1

A deficiency in plasma proteins like albumin can lead to decreased colloid osmotic pressure, allowing fluid to move into tissues and causing edema, which explains Mrs. F's condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

Plasma proteins, particularly albumin, are essential for maintaining the colloid osmotic pressure which counterbalances the hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries. A decrease in plasma proteins, as seen in Mrs. F's blood work, leads to a reduction in osmotic pressure. This imbalance allows water to move from the blood plasma into the interstitial spaces, causing edema. This condition, where excess fluid accumulates in tissues, can arise from various causes including liver disease, kidney damage, or decreased plasma protein production.