A fluid overload can impair bodily functions because it increases the distance for exchange of nutrients and waste. Which statement describes this consequence?

A fluid overload can impair bodily functions because it increases the distance for exchange of nutrients and waste. Which statement describes this consequence?

• A. It improves bodily functions by increasing nutrient exchange
• B. It reduces tissue distance for nutrient exchange
• C. Edema reduction occurs with overload
• D. Impaired body processes due to increased distance for nutrient and waste exchange

Answer: (D)

Fluid overload causes edema, which increases the space between capillaries and cells. Nutrients, oxygen, and wastes move mainly by diffusion, so when the diffusion distance gets longer, this exchange slows down. That slower exchange impairs cell metabolism and organ function, translating to impaired body processes. So the best description is that bodily processes are impaired due to increased distance for nutrient and waste exchange. The other ideas contradict physiology: increasing distance does not improve function, edema isn’t reduced with overload, and tissue distance isn’t decreased.

Fluid overload causes edema, which increases the space between capillaries and cells. Nutrients, oxygen, and wastes move mainly by diffusion, so when the diffusion distance gets longer, this exchange slows down. That slower exchange impairs cell metabolism and organ function, translating to impaired body processes. So the best description is that bodily processes are impaired due to increased distance for nutrient and waste exchange. The other ideas contradict physiology: increasing distance does not improve function, edema isn’t reduced with overload, and tissue distance isn’t decreased.