What term describes plasma that appears white or milky?

What term describes plasma that appears white or milky?

• A. Leukemia
• B. Chylemia
• C. Lactemia
• D. Lipemia

Answer: (D)

Milky or white-appearing plasma is caused by a high lipid content in the blood, a condition called lipemia. When triglycerides are elevated, lipid droplets and chylomicrons scatter light as the plasma is drawn into a tube, giving it a cloudy, milky appearance. This can occur after a fatty meal or in disorders that raise triglyceride levels, and it can interfere with lab tests that rely on optical measurements. The other terms reflect different conditions or concepts (such as leukemia, which is a blood cancer, or terms not used to describe plasma appearance), so lipemia best describes this phenomenon.

Milky or white-appearing plasma is caused by a high lipid content in the blood, a condition called lipemia. When triglycerides are elevated, lipid droplets and chylomicrons scatter light as the plasma is drawn into a tube, giving it a cloudy, milky appearance. This can occur after a fatty meal or in disorders that raise triglyceride levels, and it can interfere with lab tests that rely on optical measurements. The other terms reflect different conditions or concepts (such as leukemia, which is a blood cancer, or terms not used to describe plasma appearance), so lipemia best describes this phenomenon.