West Coast EMT Block One Exam

What term best describes a state of excessive fluid in the tissue?

1. edema

2. inflammation

3. hemorrhage

4. ischemia

The correct answer is: edema

The term that best describes a state of excessive fluid in the tissue is edema. Edema occurs when there is an increase in the volume of fluid present in the interstitial spaces, which can happen for various reasons, such as injury, inflammation, or conditions that affect circulation or lymphatic drainage. This accumulation of fluid can lead to swelling and can occur in specific parts of the body or be widespread. Inflammation, while it can involve fluid accumulation, is a broader response by the body to injury or infection and includes redness, warmth, and pain, not just excess fluid. Hemorrhage refers to the escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, which involves blood rather than fluid in the tissues. Ischemia is a different condition characterized by a reduction in blood flow to an area of the body, leading to tissue damage, but it does not directly relate to fluid accumulation. Thus, edema is the correct term for describing excessive fluid in the tissue.