Healthcare EOPA Practice Exam

A deficiency of tissue fluid leads to dehydration, which is characterized by an imbalance in the body's water levels resulting in insufficient fluid in the body’s tissues. This condition can occur due to various factors, including inadequate fluid intake, excessive loss of fluids through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea, and certain medical conditions that affect fluid balance.

Dehydration can have various symptoms, such as dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, and decreased urine output, as the body struggles to maintain essential functions without enough fluid. It impacts the overall health and function of both individual cells and the body as a whole, leading to potential complications if not addressed.

On the other hand, edema refers to an excess accumulation of tissue fluid, hypertension indicates high blood pressure, and hypotension refers to low blood pressure, all of which are not caused by a deficiency of tissue fluid, thus distinguishing dehydration as the correct answer in this context.