A female client was horseback riding when her horse slipped and fell on her leg, crushing but not breaking it, and resulting in a large amount of edema over the crushed area. Which pathophysiological mechanism is responsible for the edema?
Increase in interstitial osmotic pressure due to cellular damage.
Decrease in interstitial pressures due to low blood pressure.
Increased intravascular osmotic pressure due to crushing injury.
Increased intravascular hydrostatic pressure due to trauma.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Increase in interstitial osmotic pressure due to cellular damage. A crushing injury damages cells, leading to the release of intracellular proteins and solutes into the interstitial space. This increases interstitial osmotic pressure, drawing fluid from the blood vessels into the injured tissues, causing edema. The inflammatory response further contributes to capillary permeability and fluid leakage.
B. Decrease in interstitial pressures due to low blood pressure. Blood pressure does not directly regulate interstitial pressure in a localized trauma area. Even if systemic blood pressure were low, localized edema can still occur due to tissue damage and increased capillary permeability.
C. Increased intravascular osmotic pressure due to crushing injury. Osmotic pressure in the blood is primarily determined by plasma proteins, such as albumin. A crushing injury does not increase intravascular osmotic pressure; instead, it increases interstitial osmotic pressure, pulling fluid out of the blood vessels.
D. Increased intravascular hydrostatic pressure due to trauma. While trauma can cause localized vascular changes, hydrostatic pressure primarily affects systemic circulation. In this case, localized tissue damage and inflammation—not increased intravascular pressure—are responsible for edema formation.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"A"},"B":{"answers":"A,B"},"C":{"answers":"A"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"A,B"}}
Explanation
Shower daily with antibacterial soap (Prevents Future Cellulitis): Keeping the skin clean reduces bacterial load and prevents infections.
Complete full course of antibiotic therapy (Prevents Future Cellulitis & Promotes Healing): Ensuring all bacteria are eradicated helps prevent recurrence and allows the infection to resolve fully.
Refrain from sharing towels and razors (Prevents Future Cellulitis): These items can spread bacteria, increasing the risk of reinfection.
Eat foods rich in protein and vitamin C (Promotes Healing): These nutrients aid in tissue repair and immune function, supporting recovery from cellulitis.
Wash hands before and after touching open wounds (Prevents Future Cellulitis & Promotes Healing): Proper hygiene prevents the spread of bacteria and reduces the risk of secondary infections.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Hyperpigmented areas that vary in form and color and are slightly elevated from the skin
These findings are characteristic of skin conditions such as lentigines or melanocytic nevi rather than acne vulgaris. Acne typically presents with inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions, not hyperpigmented patches of varying color and elevation.
B. Small, skin-colored, pedunculated papules in areas of skin folds and on other areas as skin tags
Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are benign growths that develop in areas of skin friction. They are not associated with acne vulgaris, which primarily affects the sebaceous glands and hair follicles.
C. Sharply demarcated silvery scaling plaques with underlying redness on the elbows and knees
These findings are typical of psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune skin condition. Acne vulgaris does not present with silvery scaling plaques or well-defined erythematous lesions in these locations.
D. Hyperactive sebaceous areas forming comedones, papules, pustules on the face, neck, and upper back
Acne vulgaris results from increased sebum production, follicular hyperkeratinization, bacterial overgrowth, and inflammation. It commonly presents with comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), inflammatory papules, pustules, and sometimes nodules, predominantly affecting the face, neck, chest, and upper back.
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