Thu18November0303AM 7

In a normal adult woman weighing 60 kg which of the following is true about the extracellular fluid (ECF)?

(Please select 1 option)

Has a total volume of about 12 litres Correct

Contains no protein

Is isotonic throughout the body

Has a sodium concentration of 125-135 mmol/L

Forms a greater proportion of the total body weight in the obese than in the lean woman

Explanation

Total body water is about 60% of body weight (50% to 70% depending on how much fat is present). In the obese ECF is relatively contracted.

In this person total body water is approximately 36 litres (0.6 × 60), of which 1/3 is ECF (12 litres) and 2/3 (24 litres) intracellular fluid.

The simple rule is 60-40-20.

Normal sodium concentration is approximately 135-145 mmol/L.

ECF is composed of intravascular fluid and extravascular fluid. Both contain plasma proteins.

Answer Statistics

1

51%

2

1%

3

19%

4

11%

5

20%

Times answered: 249