What term describes the dilution of clotting proteins, platelets and red blood cells due to excessive intravenous fluid administration?

• A. Hemodilution
• B. Hypovolemia
• C. Edema
• D. Anemia

Answer: (A)

When large amounts of IV fluids are given, the plasma becomes more diluted, so clotting proteins, platelets, and red blood cells are present in lower concentrations. This reduces the blood’s ability to clot and can lead to a dilutional disruption of hemostasis, or dilutional coagulopathy. The term for this dilution of blood components due to fluid administration is hemodilution. Other options describe different conditions: hypovolemia is a decrease in overall circulating blood volume, edema is fluid buildup in tissues, and anemia is a low red blood cell count.