Balance and Capillary Levels

Question 1

explain capillary hydrostatic pressure “push”

Answer 1

at the arterial end of the capillary, hydrostatic pressure is higher than oncotic pressure in the capillary so fluid gets PUSHED into the interstitial space

Question 2

explain capillary colloidal osmotic pressure “pull”

Answer 2

at venous end, when fluid goes into interstitial space, solutes get left behind, this creates high osmotic pressure which PULLS fluid from the interstitial space back to the vessel

Question 3

what particles move from vessel into interstitial space an create interstitial colloidal osmotic pressure, pulling fluid into the interstitial space?

Answer 3

glucose and electrolytes

Question 4

what is excess interstitial fluid taken up by?

Answer 4

lymphatics and returned to circulation

Question 5

what is fluid balance determined by?

Answer 5

push and pull of fluids across the semi permeable capillary membrane

Question 6

normal movement of fluids depends on what?

Answer 6

integrity of the capillary membrane

Question 7

what two things cause fluid imbalance in the capillary?

Answer 7

1. increased hydrostatic pressure causes higher amounts of fluid to leave capillary (pushed out)
2. hydrostatic pressure also increases if there is any back up of blood flow

Question 8

what is an example of back up of blood flow in the capillary?

Answer 8

if DVT might obstruct venous blood flow, resulting in higher than normal pressure at the venous end

Question 9

what happens when there is a lack of sufficient capillary oncotic pressure?

Answer 9

there is not enough oncotic pressure to pull fluid back into the capillary - at venous end

Question 10

what is the most prevalent colloid/solid in the plasma?

Answer 10

albumin

Question 11

any situation that results in decrease albumin can result in what?

Answer 11

result in a decrease of capillary oncotic pressure

Question 12

what are common diagnosis associated with low albumin?

Answer 12

burns, liver disease, malnutrition and excessive wound drainage

Question 13

explain increased interstitial colloidal osmotic pressure

Answer 13

when solutes (particles) escape from the vessel into the interstitial fluid, they will take fluid with them and hold that fluid in the interstitial space

Question 14

describe leaky capillaries

Answer 14

the capillary membrane allows only some solutes to escape out of the capillary

Question 15

capillary permeability increases in response to what?

Answer 15

chemical mediators of the inflammatory process

Question 16

explain the increase in tissue hydrostatic pressure

Answer 16

obstructive of lymph flow - this happens when the lymphatics are obstructed and do not remove excess fluid and is complicated by increased tissue oncotic pressure which continues to pull fluid from vessel

Question 17

when does lymphatic obstruction occur?

Answer 17

in liver disease or bc of physical obstruction from surgery