PLASMA SUBSTITUTES Meaning and
Definition
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Plasma substitutes are artificial solutions or substances designed to mimic or replace the functions of natural blood plasma in the human body. Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood that carries various substances, such as nutrients, hormones, and waste products, throughout the body. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining blood volume and regulating blood pressure.
Plasma substitutes are typically used in medical settings when there is a need to replenish blood volume or stabilize blood pressure in patients who have suffered significant blood loss due to trauma, surgery, or other medical conditions. They are also employed in emergency situations when there is limited access to a ready supply of blood for transfusions.
These substitutes are composed of a combination of fluids, electrolytes, and other components that closely resemble the composition of blood plasma. They are administered through intravenous infusion, allowing them to rapidly reach the circulatory system and perform essential functions, such as maintaining adequate blood pressure and delivering nutrients to cells.
Plasma substitutes can be classified into two main types: crystalloid solutions and colloid solutions. Crystalloid solutions, such as normal saline or Ringer's lactate, contain small molecules that can easily diffuse across blood vessels. Colloid solutions, on the other hand, consist of larger molecules, such as albumin or starches, which are unable to freely cross blood vessel walls. Colloid solutions tend to remain in the bloodstream for longer periods, thereby sustaining blood volume more effectively.
While plasma substitutes provide temporary support and can be life-saving in certain situations, they are not intended to completely replace natural blood volume or its functions. Moreover, their use is subject to careful consideration by healthcare professionals, as their effectiveness and potential side effects may vary depending on the individual patient and specific medical scenario.
Common Misspellings for PLASMA SUBSTITUTES
- olasma substitutes
- llasma substitutes
- -lasma substitutes
- 0lasma substitutes
- pkasma substitutes
- ppasma substitutes
- poasma substitutes
- plzsma substitutes
- plssma substitutes
- plwsma substitutes
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- plaama substitutes
- plazma substitutes
- plaxma substitutes
- pladma substitutes
- plaema substitutes
- plawma substitutes
- plasna substitutes
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Etymology of PLASMA SUBSTITUTES
The term "plasma substitutes" has a straightforward etymology.
The word "plasma" originated from the Ancient Greek word "plassein", meaning "to mold" or "to form". In the medical context, it refers to the liquid component of blood that carries red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances throughout the body.
The word "substitutes" comes from the Latin word "substitutus", which means "put in place of" or "replace". It refers to something that is used as a replacement or alternative for another item or substance.
Therefore, "plasma substitutes" refers to substances or solutions that are used as replacements for natural plasma in medical treatments or procedures. These substitutes are designed to provide similar functionalities and properties as plasma, such as volume expansion or transportation of nutrients, but they are not derived from human donors.
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