Anesthesia Technician Practice Exam

What is the effect of crystalloid solutions in the body?

1. Expand interstitial volume

2. Increase blood viscosity

3. Decrease osmotic pressure

4. Stabilize heart rhythm

The correct answer is: Expand interstitial volume

Crystalloid solutions primarily serve to expand interstitial volume in the body. These solutions, which include isotonic saline and lactated Ringer’s solution, are used to replenish fluids and electrolytes in patients, particularly in cases of dehydration or during surgery. When administered, crystalloid solutions increase the volume of fluid in the vascular space and help restore intravascular volume. As they are distributed throughout the body's compartments, they effectively increase the interstitial fluid volume, aiding in maintaining proper tissue hydration and function. In contrast, increase in blood viscosity is more typically associated with the administration of colloid solutions or certain pathological conditions rather than crystalloid solutions, which have a more fluid-like characteristic. Additionally, crystalloid solutions do not inherently decrease osmotic pressure; instead, they are designed to maintain osmotic balance within the body's fluids. Stabilizing heart rhythm is unrelated to the function of crystalloid solutions; this effect would be more aligned with medications or interventions directly impacting cardiac electrical activity. Thus, the primary effect of crystalloid solutions in the body is their ability to effectively expand interstitial volume.