Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Which term describes a combination of decreased circulating blood volume with excess fluid in a body cavity?

1. a. dehydration.

2. b. hypovolemia.

3. c. third-spacing.

4. d. water retention.

The correct answer is: c. third-spacing.

The term that best describes a combination of decreased circulating blood volume and excess fluid in a body cavity is third-spacing. This phenomenon occurs when fluid shifts from the intravascular space (which is the part of the body that contains circulating blood) to other compartments, such as the interstitial spaces or body cavities. In third-spacing, despite an overall deficiency in effective circulating volume that could lead to hypovolemic states, there is an accumulation of fluid in tissues or cavities, such as in cases of edema or ascites. This can result from various conditions such as trauma, surgery, inflammation, or certain disease processes that cause the body to improperly distribute fluids. Recognizing third-spacing is important because it distinguishes the clinical implications of fluid balance; while the total volume might remain, the effective blood volume that's available for circulation diminishes, leading to potential complications such as hypotension or organ dysfunction. Other terms refer to different concepts. Dehydration indicates a loss of body water, hypovolemia specifically refers to reduced blood volume without implying fluid has moved elsewhere, and water retention suggests an increase in fluid without specifying the balance with blood volume or compartment changes. This highlights the distinct nature of third-spacing in relation to fluid dynamics in the body