Blood & Lymphatic Functions – Physical Therapy Study Guide 1 2026-03-02
Blood & Lymphatic
Functions – Physical
Therapy Study Guide
Page 1
Guidehttps://www.stuvia.com/dashboard!@_)#*)(@$)($@*($@)($@*_ Blood & Lymphatic Functions – Physical Therapy Study Guide.pdf
,Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy 2 2026-03-02
What are the primary functions of blood?
Blood transports oxygen, glucose, nutrients, hormones, electrolytes, and cellular wastes, supporting
tissue metabolism and homeostasis.
What happens with impaired transportation of blood?
It can lead to fatigue, poor healing, dizziness, or exercise intolerance in patients.
Why is it important for a PTA to know blood values such as pH, Hct, and Hgb?
These values help PTAs assess patient safety, endurance, and readiness for therapy.
What is the normal pH of blood?
7.35-7.45
Page 2 Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy.pdf
,Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy 3 2026-03-02
What are the components of blood?
55% plasma (water, proteins, electrolytes, other substances) 45% cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets)
What is plasma?
The liquid portion of blood containing water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, and wastes.
What is hematocrit (Hct)?
The proportion of red blood cells in blood; an indicator of blood viscosity.
What is hemoglobin (Hgb)?
The protein in red blood cells to which oxygen molecules bind.
What is the primary function of red blood cells (RBCs)?
Transport oxygen to body tissues and assist in carbon dioxide removal.
Page 3 Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy.pdf
, Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy 4 2026-03-02
What is the primary function of white blood cells (WBCs)?
Provide immune defense and fight infection.
What is the primary function of platelets?
Assist with blood clotting and hemostasis.
Why is blood's transport function important for physical therapy?
Adequate transport supports muscle performance, endurance, healing, and metabolic function
during therapy.
Why must PTAs be aware of abnormal blood pH?
Abnormal pH affects muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and oxygen delivery, reducing exercise
tolerance.
Page 4 Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy.pdf
Blood & Lymphatic
Functions – Physical
Therapy Study Guide
Page 1
Guidehttps://www.stuvia.com/dashboard!@_)#*)(@$)($@*($@)($@*_ Blood & Lymphatic Functions – Physical Therapy Study Guide.pdf
,Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy 2 2026-03-02
What are the primary functions of blood?
Blood transports oxygen, glucose, nutrients, hormones, electrolytes, and cellular wastes, supporting
tissue metabolism and homeostasis.
What happens with impaired transportation of blood?
It can lead to fatigue, poor healing, dizziness, or exercise intolerance in patients.
Why is it important for a PTA to know blood values such as pH, Hct, and Hgb?
These values help PTAs assess patient safety, endurance, and readiness for therapy.
What is the normal pH of blood?
7.35-7.45
Page 2 Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy.pdf
,Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy 3 2026-03-02
What are the components of blood?
55% plasma (water, proteins, electrolytes, other substances) 45% cells (RBCs, WBCs, platelets)
What is plasma?
The liquid portion of blood containing water, proteins, electrolytes, nutrients, hormones, and wastes.
What is hematocrit (Hct)?
The proportion of red blood cells in blood; an indicator of blood viscosity.
What is hemoglobin (Hgb)?
The protein in red blood cells to which oxygen molecules bind.
What is the primary function of red blood cells (RBCs)?
Transport oxygen to body tissues and assist in carbon dioxide removal.
Page 3 Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy.pdf
, Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy 4 2026-03-02
What is the primary function of white blood cells (WBCs)?
Provide immune defense and fight infection.
What is the primary function of platelets?
Assist with blood clotting and hemostasis.
Why is blood's transport function important for physical therapy?
Adequate transport supports muscle performance, endurance, healing, and metabolic function
during therapy.
Why must PTAs be aware of abnormal blood pH?
Abnormal pH affects muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and oxygen delivery, reducing exercise
tolerance.
Page 4 Blood & Lymphatic Functions, Components, and Implications for Physical Therapy.pdf
