What are the effects of cortisol during the stress response? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Taking pain medications manages symptoms of a sickling crisis but does not prevent it. Sickle cell crises occur due to hemoglobin S polymerization, triggered by hypoxia or dehydration, not directly prevented by analgesics, making this choice incorrect for prevention.

Choice B reason: Avoiding high altitudes reduces hypoxia, a trigger for sickling crises, as low oxygen levels promote hemoglobin S polymerization. While helpful, dehydration is a more significant and common trigger, making this choice less critical than avoiding dehydration.

Choice C reason: A high-protein, high-fat diet does not directly prevent sickling crises. Nutritional balance supports overall health, but sickle cell crises are triggered by dehydration, hypoxia, or infection, not dietary composition, making this choice incorrect for crisis prevention.

Choice D reason: Avoiding dehydration is critical in sickle cell anemia, as low fluid levels increase blood viscosity, promoting hemoglobin S polymerization and red cell sickling. This triggers vaso-occlusive crises, so maintaining hydration prevents these events, making this the correct choice.

Choice A reason: A person recovering from influenza is in the convalescent stage, not the prodromal stage, which occurs before full symptoms. Recovery indicates resolution of infection, not early nonspecific symptoms, making this choice incorrect.

Choice B reason: Cough, stuffy nose, and chest pain indicate the acute stage of influenza, with full-blown respiratory symptoms. The prodromal stage involves nonspecific symptoms before respiratory manifestations, making this choice incorrect for the prodromal phase.

Choice C reason: A person exposed to influenza with no symptoms is in the incubation period, not the prodromal stage. The prodromal stage involves early, nonspecific symptoms, not asymptomatic infection, making this choice incorrect.

Choice D reason: The prodromal stage of influenza involves early, nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, soreness, and headache before respiratory symptoms develop. These reflect the body’s initial response to viral replication, making this the correct choice for the prodromal stage.