👉 An upset fluid, often referred to as an "upset" or "disturbed" fluid, is a term used in medical contexts to describe blood that has been altered from its normal state due to various factors, such as hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells), hemolysis with or without clotting, or the presence of non-erythrocytic components. This can lead to changes in the fluid's physical and chemical properties, such as increased viscosity, altered pH, or elevated levels of certain substances like lactate or bilirubin. Upset fluids are common in conditions like hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced, and can significantly impact a patient's clinical condition by affecting oxygen delivery to tissues.
