Which term means swelling?

Prepare for the SkillsUSA Medical Terminology Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions that include hints and explanations to boost your confidence for exam success!

Multiple Choice

Which term means swelling?

Explanation:
Swelling is described by the term edema. Edema means excess fluid has accumulated in the tissue spaces, causing puffiness or swelling that can occur in a localized area like the ankle or more generalized, such as throughout the body. It helps to know what drives edema: factors that push fluid out of vessels into the surrounding tissue, such as higher capillary pressure, lower blood protein levels, or blocked lymphatic drainage. In clinical practice, edema is a sign to look for and quantify, sometimes by pressing on the skin to see if it pits. The other terms describe different concepts. A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that often occur together but don’t specify a single cause. Remission refers to a reduction or disappearance of disease symptoms. Diagnosis is the process of identifying what disease or condition is present.

Swelling is described by the term edema. Edema means excess fluid has accumulated in the tissue spaces, causing puffiness or swelling that can occur in a localized area like the ankle or more generalized, such as throughout the body. It helps to know what drives edema: factors that push fluid out of vessels into the surrounding tissue, such as higher capillary pressure, lower blood protein levels, or blocked lymphatic drainage. In clinical practice, edema is a sign to look for and quantify, sometimes by pressing on the skin to see if it pits.

The other terms describe different concepts. A syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that often occur together but don’t specify a single cause. Remission refers to a reduction or disappearance of disease symptoms. Diagnosis is the process of identifying what disease or condition is present.

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