What is the medical term for state of decreased blood volume?

• A. Hypovolemia
• B. Hypervolemia
• C. Anemia
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (A)

Decreased blood volume means there is less fluid circulating in the vessels, specifically a reduced intravascular volume. The term for this state is hypovolemia. It happens when there’s loss of whole blood or plasma, such as from hemorrhage or severe dehydration, and it can lead to reduced venous return to the heart and lower cardiac output, often with compensatory tachycardia and possible low blood pressure.

Hypervolemia is excess circulating fluid, not reduced volume. Hypotension is low blood pressure, which can result from many causes and is not the definition of a reduced blood volume. Anemia is a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, affecting oxygen carrying capacity rather than the overall blood volume.