NIC Esthetician Written ExamScientific ConceptsMedium
A client is experiencing symptoms of dehydration, including dry skin, thirst, and reduced urine output. Which of the following fluid compartments is primarily affected by this initial loss of water from the body?
- AIntravascular Fluid (Plasma)
- BIntracellular Fluid (ICF)
- CInterstitial Fluid
- DTranscellular Fluid
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Intravascular Fluid (Plasma)
In initial dehydration, the body first draws fluid from the intravascular compartment (plasma) to maintain blood pressure, leading to symptoms like thirst and reduced urine output. This is followed by shifts from interstitial and then intracellular fluid.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Intracellular fluid is the last compartment to lose significant volume during dehydration.
- C. Interstitial fluid loss occurs after intravascular fluid, contributing to skin turgor issues.
- D. Transcellular fluid compartments (e.g., cerebrospinal fluid) are generally less affected by general dehydration.
Fluid Compartments (Initial Dehydration)
The body's water is distributed across several compartments; in initial dehydration, the intravascular fluid compartment is primarily affected first.
- Total body water is about 60% of body weight.
- Intracellular Fluid (ICF) is about 2/3 of total body water.
- Extracellular Fluid (ECF) is about 1/3, split into Interstitial Fluid and Intravascular Fluid.
Memory trick: Blood first, then tissues, then cells.