Today’s NCLEX-RN® question of the day focuses on anemia. Do you know the answer? Let’s find out!
The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient with anemia secondary to bone cancer. The nurse recognizes that, in cases of anemia, the body initiates several compensatory mechanisms to increase the supply of oxygen to the tissues.
Which is/are (an) example(s) of this/these mechanism(s)? Select all that apply.
A. Interstitial fluid moves into the bloodstream
B. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is de-activated
C. Increased heart rate and cardiac output
D. Selective redistribution of blood to vital organs
E. Dilation of capillaries, arterioles, and venules
F. Increased release of oxygen from hemoglobin
Scroll down for the correct answer!
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The correct answer to today’s NCLEX-RN® Question is…
A. Interstitial fluid moves into the bloodstream
Rationale: To expand the volume of fluid in circulation, interstitial fluid can move into the bloodstream.
C. Increased heart rate and cardiac output
Rationale: An increased heart rate and cardiac output can boost circulation of blood to vital organs like the heart and brain.
D. Selective redistribution of blood to vital organs
Rationale: There may be selective redistribution of blood to vital organs, like the brain, in the short term to help perfuse them as long as possible.
E. Dilation of capillaries, arterioles, and venules
Rationale: Hypoxia-induced dilation of capillaries, arterioles, and venules increases the flow of blood through these vessels to vital organs, such as the brain.
F. Increased release of oxygen from hemoglobin
Rationale: An increased rate and depth of respiration and increased release of oxygen from hemoglobin can make more oxygen available
Main Takeaway
Anemia is a group of conditions that occurs when there is a reduced number of healthy, functional red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood. Now, regardless of the mechanism, if there are not enough healthy RBCs in circulation, oxygen-carrying capacity is reduced, and tissue hypoxia results. When this happens, there are several compensatory mechanisms the body can initiate to help increase the supply of oxygen to the tissues. To expand the volume of fluid in circulation, interstitial fluid can move into the bloodstream. In the kidneys, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated, causing salt and water retention, which results in increased blood volume. Also, an increased heart rate and cardiac output can boost circulation of blood to vital organs like the heart and brain, and there may even be selective shunting of blood to these organs in the short term to help perfuse them as long as possible. During hypoxic episodes, the body prioritizes blood flow to vital organs like the brain and heart through a process called shunting. Shunting refers to the redirection of blood flow from less critical areas to more essential organs. This is achieved through vasoconstriction, where blood vessels in non-essential areas constrict, reducing blood flow to those regions; vasodilation, where blood vessels in vital organs dilate, increasing blood flow to these areas; and lastly, redistribution, where the body adjusts the distribution of blood to ensure that vital organs receive adequate oxygen and nutrients. Lastly, an increased rate and depth of respiration and increased release of oxygen from hemoglobin can make more oxygen available to the tissues.
Incorrect Answer Explanations
B. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is de-activated
Rationale: In the kidneys, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated, rather than de-activated, causing salt and water retention, which results in increased blood volume.
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