Questions and Answers
What is the term for the ratio of the weight (mass) of a solution compared to the weight (mass) of an equal volume of water?
Specific gravity
What does plasma oncotic pressure refer to?
Colloid osmotic pressure
What is hydrostatic pressure?
The pressure that a fluid exerts on the walls of its container
What is exudate?
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What is transudate?
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Which of the following features is most consistent with fluid being an exudate?
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Which of the following features is most consistent with fluid being a transudate?
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Albumin is responsible for most of the oncotic pressure within capillaries.
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What is the normal amount of pericardial fluid?
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What is the term for inflammation of the pericardium?
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Name one cause of acute pericarditis.
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What characterizes drug-related pericarditis?
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A patient with 15 ml of thin clear fluid in the pericardial sac has a pericardial effusion.
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Which of the following are key symptoms of acute pericarditis? (Select all that apply)
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Study Notes
Definitions and Concepts
- Specific Gravity (SG): Ratio of a solution's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water; pure water has an SG of 1.000.
- Plasma Oncotic Pressure: Also known as colloid osmotic pressure; largely generated by albumin, which accounts for 70-80% of this pressure in capillaries, pulling fluid into circulation.
- Hydrostatic Pressure: The pressure fluids exert against container walls that drives fluid out of the circulatory system; normal capillaries are semipermeable.
- Exudate: Fluid resulting from increased blood vessel permeability during inflammation; characterized by >3 gm/dL protein content, specific gravity > 1.020, and cellular debris, often containing pus with neutrophils.
- Transudate: Fluid from increased hydrostatic pressure or decreased oncotic pressure; characterized by low protein content (<3 gm/dL), specific gravity < 1.012, and lacking significant cellular material.
Clinical Features
- Hypercellular Fluid: Indicative of an exudate; significant if found during pericardial effusion assessment.
- Transudate Features: Identified by a specific gravity of 1.002 and low protein content during fluid tap analysis.
Key Facts about Albumin
- Albumin is the primary contributor to oncotic pressure within capillaries, essential for maintaining fluid balance.
Pericardial Fluid Characteristics
- Normal pericardial fluid volume ranges from 15 to 50 mL, consisting of a thin, clear, yellow plasma ultrafiltrate secreted by mesothelial cells.
Conditions and Their Descriptions
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, can be classified into acute and chronic forms.
- Acute Pericarditis Types: Includes serous, fibrinous, purulent, hemorrhagic, and caseous pericarditis.
- Chronic Pericarditis Types: Includes constrictive pericarditis and adhesive pericarditis.
Causes and Drug-Related Issues
- Acute Pericarditis Causes: Varied and specific causes not detailed in the notes.
- Drug-Related Pericarditis: Certain medications, like procainamide and hydralazine, can induce pericarditis by mimicking systemic lupus; symptoms usually resolve after discontinuation of the drug.
Pericardial Effusion Specifics
- Defined as an abnormal fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac, which can be abnormal in volume and/or composition.
- A minimal volume (15 mL) of thin clear fluid, as in some cases of acute pericarditis, does not constitute a pericardial effusion.
Symptoms of Acute Pericarditis
- Chest Pain: May mimic myocardial infarction; typically pleuritic, retrosternal, and alleviated by sitting forward, while worsened in supine position; may radiate to various areas.
- Associated Symptoms: Fever, dyspnea related to chest pain, palpitations, cough, runny nose, joint swelling/pain if URI present.
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Test your knowledge on key concepts related to pericardial effusion through these flashcards. Learn definitions and examples of important terms like specific gravity and plasma oncotic pressure. Perfect for medical students or anyone interested in cardiovascular health.
