A patient is severely dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea causing his or her blood to become hypertonic. What effects does the nurse expect this will have on the red blood cells

A) The cell body of the first motor neuron that lies in the brain stem:
This option refers to the somatic nervous system, which controls voluntary muscle movements. In response to a stressful or fearful situation, like the one described, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, not the somatic motor pathways. This is more related to voluntary motor control rather than the autonomic response to stress.

B) Reflex circuitry produced by the ANS reflex:
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is involved in regulating involuntary functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion. However, the "racing heart" response described here is primarily triggered by the sympathetic division of the ANS due to a stressor, such as seeing the cat. The reflex itself is part of a larger autonomic reaction, but the direct cause of the increased heart rate is the secretion of neurotransmitters.

C) Parasympathetic effect on the vagus nerve:
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) generally works to counteract the "fight or flight" response, promoting a relaxed state and slowing the heart rate. The vagus nerve is the primary parasympathetic pathway involved in decreasing heart rate. However, during stress or a fear response, the parasympathetic system is overridden by the sympathetic system, which increases heart rate, making this option incorrect.

D) Secretion of the sympathetic neurotransmitters produced in the adrenal medulla:
When a person experiences a stressor, like the sudden appearance of a cat, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, triggering the release of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve endings and epinephrine (adrenaline) from the adrenal medulla. These chemicals act on the heart, causing it to race in response to the perceived threat.

A) Reducing some of the tremors: Benztropine (Cogentin) is an anticholinergic medication commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease to help manage symptoms. It works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, which can help to restore the balance between acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. This helps reduce symptoms like tremors and rigidity, which are common in Parkinson’s disease. Although it may not completely eliminate these symptoms, it can significantly reduce tremors, making this the most accurate effect of the drug.

B) Improving mental function: Benztropine is not intended to improve mental function. In fact, anticholinergic medications like benztropine can sometimes cause cognitive side effects, including memory problems or confusion, particularly in older patients. While the drug is effective in reducing motor symptoms, it is not used to enhance cognitive abilities in Parkinson’s disease.

C) Helping the patient to walk faster: Benztropine does not directly improve gait speed or help a patient walk faster. The drug primarily targets motor symptoms like tremors and rigidity rather than improving bradykinesia (slowness of movement), which is often the cause of walking difficulty in Parkinson’s patients. Medications such as levodopa or dopamine agonists are typically used to address issues related to bradykinesia and movement speed.

D) Minimizing symptoms of bradykinesia: While benztropine can help manage tremors and rigidity, it is not particularly effective for bradykinesia, which is the hallmark symptom of Parkinson’s disease. Bradykinesia is best addressed with dopaminergic medications like levodopa or dopamine agonists. Therefore, benztropine would not be the first choice for minimizing bradykinesia symptoms.