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What function do diuretics have in treating edema?
Decrease fluid volume in the body
Increase blood flow to tissues
Raise blood pressure
Promote nutrient absorption
The correct answer is: Decrease fluid volume in the body
Diuretics are medications primarily used to help remove excess fluid from the body by increasing urine production. This function is particularly beneficial in treating conditions like edema, where there is an accumulation of fluid in the tissues. By promoting the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys, diuretics effectively decrease the overall fluid volume in the body. This reduction helps alleviate swelling and discomfort associated with edema, improving the patient's condition. Other options, while they pertain to different physiological effects or treatment goals, do not accurately describe the primary function of diuretics in the context of edema. For instance, increasing blood flow to tissues, raising blood pressure, or promoting nutrient absorption are not direct outcomes of diuretic activity and do not address the mechanism by which diuretics alleviate edema.