Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
Abnormal red blood cell counts have what consequences on health?
A. Altered oxygen-carrying capability of blood
Altered oxygen-carrying capability of blood: RBCs (via hemoglobin) are the primary carriers of oxygen; too few (anemia) or dysfunctional RBCs reduce O₂ delivery, too many (polycythemia) can alter flow.
B. Altered ability to clot blood
Altered ability to clot blood: clotting is primarily mediated by platelets and clotting factors, not by RBC count (RBCs can influence viscosity but are not the main clotting elements).
C. Altered ability to fight infection
Altered ability to fight infection: fighting infection is mainly the role of leukocytes (WBCs), not RBCs.
D. Altered heart rate and contractility
Altered heart rate and contractility: significant changes in RBC number (especially anemia) can cause compensatory increases in heart rate and contractility to maintain oxygen delivery; polycythemia can also change cardiac workload.
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Full Explanation
A. Altered oxygen-carrying capability of blood: RBCs (via hemoglobin) are the primary carriers of oxygen; too few (anemia) or dysfunctional RBCs reduce O₂ delivery, too many (polycythemia) can alter flow.
B. Altered ability to clot blood: clotting is primarily mediated by platelets and clotting factors, not by RBC count (RBCs can influence viscosity but are not the main clotting elements).
C. Altered ability to fight infection: fighting infection is mainly the role of leukocytes (WBCs), not RBCs.
D. Altered heart rate and contractility: significant changes in RBC number (especially anemia) can cause compensatory increases in heart rate and contractility to maintain oxygen delivery; polycythemia can also change cardiac workload.
Similar Questions
What is diapedesis?
A. The movement of white blood cells through blood vessel walls.
The movement of white blood cells through blood vessel walls: diapedesis (transmigration) is when leukocytes squeeze between endothelial cells to leave the bloodstream and enter tissues.
B. The formation of platelets from megakaryocytes.
The formation of platelets from megakaryocytes: that process is thrombopoiesis (platelet production), not diapedesis.
C. The squeezing of red blood cells through narrow capillaries.
The squeezing of red blood cells through narrow capillaries: RBCs deform to pass through capillaries, but that is not called diapedesis.
D. The filling of red blood cells with hemoglobin.
The filling of red blood cells with hemoglobin: hemoglobin synthesis and RBC maturation are separate processes, not diapedesis.
Full Explanation
A. The movement of white blood cells through blood vessel walls: diapedesis (transmigration) is when leukocytes squeeze between endothelial cells to leave the bloodstream and enter tissues.
B. The formation of platelets from megakaryocytes: that process is thrombopoiesis (platelet production), not diapedesis.
C. The squeezing of red blood cells through narrow capillaries: RBCs deform to pass through capillaries, but that is not called diapedesis.
D. The filling of red blood cells with hemoglobin: hemoglobin synthesis and RBC maturation are separate processes, not diapedesis.
What is the normal pH of blood?
A. 7.3 to 7.5
7.3 to 7.5: Correct (closest choice) -normal arterial blood pH is about 7.35–7.45, so 7.3–7.5 best matches the normal range given.
B. 7.6 to 7.8
7.6 to 7.8: this is alkalotic and well above normal physiologic range.
C. 6.8 to 7.0
6.8 to 7.0: this is severely acidotic and below normal.
D. 7.0 to 7.2
7.0 to 7.2: still acidotic and below the normal physiological range.
Full Explanation
A. 7.3 to 7.5: Correct (closest choice) -normal arterial blood pH is about 7.35–7.45, so 7.3–7.5 best matches the normal range given.
B. 7.6 to 7.8: this is alkalotic and well above normal physiologic range.
C. 6.8 to 7.0: this is severely acidotic and below normal.
D. 7.0 to 7.2: still acidotic and below the normal physiological range.
What is the primary function of lymphocytes?
A. To produce enzymes that dissolve blood clots.
To produce enzymes that dissolve blood clots: fibrinolytic enzymes (e.g., plasmin) handle clot breakdown; lymphocytes are not responsible for that.
B. To act against foreign substances.
To act against foreign substances: lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, NK cells) are central to adaptive immunity and target pathogens/foreign antigens.
C. To phagocytize damaged cells.
To phagocytize damaged cells: phagocytosis is mainly done by macrophages and neutrophils, not lymphocytes.
D. To release substances that initiate blood clots.
To release substances that initiate blood clots: platelets and clotting factor pathways initiate clotting; lymphocytes do not.
Full Explanation
A. To produce enzymes that dissolve blood clots: fibrinolytic enzymes (e.g., plasmin) handle clot breakdown; lymphocytes are not responsible for that.
B. To act against foreign substances: lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, NK cells) are central to adaptive immunity and target pathogens/foreign antigens.
C. To phagocytize damaged cells: phagocytosis is mainly done by macrophages and neutrophils, not lymphocytes.
D. To release substances that initiate blood clots: platelets and clotting factor pathways initiate clotting; lymphocytes do not.