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
The blood cells will migrate to the bone marrow
the red cells will precipitate out of circulation
They will swell and eventually rupture
The cells will shrink and shrivel, decreasing their oxygen-carrying ability
The Correct Answer is D
A) The blood cells will migrate to the bone marrow:
While the bone marrow is responsible for producing red blood cells, dehydration and hypertonicity of the blood would not cause the red blood cells to migrate to the bone marrow. Migration of blood cells typically refers to white blood cells moving toward sites of infection or inflammation, not a response to dehydration.
B) The red cells will precipitate out of circulation:
Red blood cells do not precipitate out of circulation due to dehydration or hypertonic conditions. Instead, dehydration causes a shift in water balance that leads to changes in the shape and function of the red blood cells. Precipitation of cells is not a physiological response in this context.
C) They will swell and eventually rupture:
In conditions of hypertonicity, where the concentration of solutes (such as sodium) in the blood is higher than normal, red blood cells actually shrink, not swell. When blood is hypertonic, water moves out of the red blood cells into the extracellular space to balance the osmotic pressure, leading to cell shrinkage. Cells only swell in hypotonic conditions, when water moves into the cell.
D) The cells will shrink and shrivel, decreasing their oxygen-carrying ability:
When the body becomes dehydrated, the blood becomes hypertonic (more concentrated), leading to a shift of water out of the red blood cells to try to balance the osmotic gradient. As a result, the red blood cells shrink and shrivel. This shrinkage can impair their ability to carry oxygen effectively, as the cells may become more rigid and less flexible, making it difficult for them to navigate through small blood vessels and perform gas exchange in the lungs and tissues.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Myasthenia gravis (MG):
Weakness of the extremities and diplopia (double vision) are hallmark symptoms of myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder that affects the neuromuscular junction. In MG, antibodies attack acetylcholine receptors, leading to muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest. The weakness typically affects voluntary muscles, including those responsible for eye movement, which leads to symptoms such as diplopia and ptosis (drooping eyelids).
B) Multiple sclerosis (MS):
Multiple sclerosis involves the demyelination of neurons in the central nervous system, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms. While MS can cause weakness and visual disturbances, the typical symptoms of MS include fatigue, muscle spasticity, ataxia, and sensory deficits. Diplopia can occur in MS but is usually accompanied by other neurological signs such as numbness, tingling, or loss of coordination.
C) Cerebral palsy (CP):
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture due to non-progressive brain injury or abnormal brain development, often occurring in early childhood. While CP can cause muscle weakness and coordination issues, it does not typically present with diplopia. Instead, it often involves spasticity, motor impairment, and difficulty with fine motor tasks.
D) Parkinson disease (PD):
Parkinson disease is characterized by tremors, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), rigidity, and postural instability. While PD can lead to muscle weakness and visual issues like blurred vision, it is not typically associated with diplopia as a primary symptom. The hallmark motor symptoms are primarily related to tremor and difficulty initiating movements rather than generalized weakness and double vision.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Feed cells under stress:
The primary function of the homeostasis control systems is not to directly "feed" cells under stress, but to regulate internal balance and ensure all systems are functioning optimally, particularly in response to changes in the environment or internal states. "Feeding" or providing nutrients is a broader metabolic process rather than a direct function of the homeostasis control systems.
B) Act on invading organisms:
While the immune system, which plays a role in defending the body against invading organisms, is a part of overall body regulation, homeostasis itself is more concerned with maintaining internal stability. The control systems of the body regulate physiological processes such as temperature, pH, and fluid balance rather than directly targeting external organisms like bacteria or viruses, which would fall under the immune response.
C) Control vital functions:
Homeostasis control systems are integral in maintaining the body's internal environment, ensuring stability for vital functions such as temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. These systems help adjust these functions in response to various internal and external stimuli to maintain optimal conditions for survival, making this the most accurate answer.
D) Shut down the body at death:
While the control systems ultimately cease to function at death, the purpose of homeostasis during life is to maintain the balance of bodily functions, not to cause the cessation of life. The homeostatic mechanisms are about maintaining life and health, preventing "shutdown" until the point of death.
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