Edema occurs when plasma protein level is below?
Correct Answer: 5 mg/dl
Description: Following conditions can cause edema:-
1) The increased hydrostatic pressure of capillaries: It causes an increase in outward driving force. It may be
due to impaired venous return e.g. in CHF or DVT.
2) Decreased plasma osmotic pressure of capillaries: It causes decrease in inward driving force.
It results from Hypoproteinemia. When total plasma protein is below 5 gm/dl (normal 6-8gm/dl) or
albumin is below 2∙5 gm/dl (normal 3.5-5 gm/dl) edema takes place. Conditions causing
hypoproteinemia are a nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis, protein-losing enteropathy, and PEM.
3) Defective removal of interstitial fluid by lymphatics: It is due to lymphatic obstruction, which may be inflammatory, neoplastic, post-surgical and post-irradiation.
4) Increased vascular permeability: It occurs in acute and chronic inflammation, and during angiogenesis (new vessels are leaky).
5) Sodium (salt) and water retention: It causes expansion of plasma volume (hydrostatic pressure) and dilution of plasma proteins (↓ osmotic pressure). The conditions responsible for this type of edema are ARF, acute glomerulonephritis, renal hypoperfusion, and increase renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) activity.
Category:
Pathology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now