Question

In the previous question, the edema is most likely due to fluid shifting from the intravascular space into interstitial spaces secondary to all the following EXCEPT?

1) hypertonicity of the plasma space.
2) hypotonicity of the plasma space.
3) hypoosmolality of the blood.
4) diminished osmotic pressure of the blood.

Answer 1

Hypertonicity of the plasma space is least likely to cause edema as it would result in fluid moving into the blood, reducing edema, unlike hypotonicity, hypoosmolality, and diminished osmotic pressure which contribute to fluid shift into interstitial spaces.

Step-by-step explanation:

The edema is most likely due to fluid shifting from the intravascular space into interstitial spaces secondary to all the following EXCEPT hypertonicity of the plasma space. Edema is the accumulation of excess water in the tissues and can be caused by various factors, such as a decrease in osmotic pressure due to a decrease in plasma proteins, which are manufactured by the liver. When the liver is unable to produce enough plasma proteins, there is a decrease in the colloid osmotic pressure, which normally counterbalances hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries.

Hypertonicity of the plasma space, on the other hand, results in the flow of fluid from the tissues into the blood, not out of the blood vessels, which would reduce edema rather than cause it. Items such as hypotonicity of the plasma space (hypoosmolality of the blood) and diminished osmotic pressure of the blood would contribute to the fluid shift into interstitial areas, leading to edema.