Question

Low Osmolar contrast media:

a. typically has the same concentration of particles as the blood
b. typically has a higher concentration of particles compared to blood
c. tends to cause more adverse reaction than high osmolar
d. is never used in CT

Answer 1

Low osmolar contrast media typically has a higher concentration of particles compared to blood and is commonly used in CT scans to enhance visibility of internal structures while causing fewer adverse reactions than high osmolar contrast media.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question involves understanding the properties of low osmolar contrast media as they relate to medical imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT). Low osmolar contrast media (LOCM) typically has a higher concentration of particles compared to blood, which is generally considered isotonic with an osmolarity of about 300 mOsm. The osmolarity of a solution is a measure of the number of particles dissolved in it which contribute to its osmotic pressure.

Contrast media are used to improve the visibility of internal structures in medical imaging. LOCM causes fewer adverse reactions than high osmolar contrast media (HOCM) due to its closer osmolarity to that of bloodstream, limiting the disturbance of normal osmotic balances within the body. Therefore, answer b. "typically has a higher concentration of particles compared to blood" is the correct answer in relation to LOCM. It is worth noting that LOCM is commonly and effectively used in CT scans, thereby refuting answer d.