Polycythemia has a plethora of neurological changes. What is the primary cause of these symptoms?

Decreased erythrocyte count

Tissue destruction by macrophages

Increased blood viscosity

Hypoxia

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason: Polycythemia involves an increased erythrocyte count, not a decrease. A low erythrocyte count causes anemia, leading to fatigue or hypoxia, not the neurological symptoms like headaches or dizziness seen in polycythemia, making this an incorrect cause.

Choice B reason: Tissue destruction by macrophages is not a primary feature of polycythemia. It may occur in inflammatory conditions, but polycythemia’s neurological symptoms stem from blood flow changes, not macrophage activity, making this an incorrect cause.

Choice C reason: Increased blood viscosity, due to elevated red blood cell mass in polycythemia, impairs cerebral blood flow, causing neurological symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and confusion. This sluggish circulation directly affects brain perfusion, making it the primary cause of these symptoms.

Choice D reason: Hypoxia occurs in conditions with inadequate oxygen delivery, like anemia or lung disease. Polycythemia increases oxygen-carrying capacity but causes symptoms due to viscous blood flow, not hypoxia, making this an incorrect primary cause.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Vitamin D deficiency affects calcium and bone health, not creatinine or BUN levels, which reflect kidney function. Elevated BUN and creatinine point to dehydration or kidney issues, so this is incorrect for the lab findings.

Choice B reason: Elevated creatinine and BUN indicate dehydration or kidney dysfunction, as these markers rise when kidneys fail to clear waste or when blood volume is low. This matches the patient’s symptoms, making it the correct choice.

Choice C reason: Respiratory acidosis affects blood pH and CO2, not creatinine or BUN, which are renal markers. Kidney dysfunction or dehydration better explain the lab results, so this is incorrect for the findings.

Choice D reason: Liver failure may elevate other markers (e.g., bilirubin), but BUN and creatinine are kidney-specific. Dehydration or kidney dysfunction align with the labs and symptoms, so this is incorrect.

A. Stay the same size B. None of the above C. Swell D. Shrink

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: The egg would not stay the same size, as ocean water is hypertonic (higher salinity) compared to Lake Michigan’s fresh water. Osmotic differences drive water movement into the egg, causing swelling, making this an incorrect prediction.

Choice B reason: “None of the above” is incorrect, as the egg will swell due to osmosis. Fresh water in Lake Michigan has lower solute concentration than the egg’s cytoplasm, causing water influx, making this an invalid choice.

Choice C reason: The sea star egg will swell in Lake Michigan’s fresh water, which is hypotonic to the egg’s hypertonic cytoplasm. Water moves into the egg via osmosis, increasing its volume, making this the correct prediction for the egg’s response.

Choice D reason: The egg would shrink in a hypertonic environment, like concentrated saltwater, not fresh water. Lake Michigan’s hypotonic fresh water causes water influx, not loss, making shrinking an incorrect outcome for the egg.

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Polycythemia has a plethora of neurological changes. What is the primary cause of these symptoms?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

If a sea star egg is taken from the ocean and put into Lake Michigan, would you expect the egg to shrink, swell, or stay the same size?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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