HOSA Pathophysiology Assessment Practice Test

The term that describes the body losing both water and electrolytes from the extracellular fluid is hypovolemia. This condition occurs when there is a decrease in the volume of blood plasma and fluid in the body, which can result from various factors such as dehydration, excessive bleeding, or fluid loss due to vomiting or diarrhea.

When extracellular fluid is lost, the balance of electrolytes and the overall fluid balance in the body can be disrupted, leading to potential complications like decreased blood pressure, impaired kidney function, and electrolyte imbalances. This makes understanding hypovolemia critical, especially in clinical settings where maintaining fluid balance is vital for patient care.

The other terms presented refer to different medical conditions. Cellulitis, for instance, is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues, characterized by redness, swelling, and pain. Hematopoiesis is the process of blood cell formation within the body, particularly in the bone marrow. Hypoxia denotes a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues, which is unrelated to fluid and electrolyte balance.