NUR968: RBC Physiology & Pathophysiology Exam Study Guide Solutions

NUR968: RBC Physiology & Pathophysiology Exam Study Guide Solutions __: is the aqueous (water) medium or fluid part of the blood - Ans:-Plasma What substances are dissolved in plasma? (10) - Ans:-1. Electrolytes 2. Proteins 3. Lipids 4. Carbohydrates 5. Amino acids 6. Vitamins 7. Hormones 8. Urea 9. Uric acid ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024 Page 2/62 10. Oxygen, carbon dioxide & nitrogen True or false: Red blood cells, white blood cells & platelets are all suspended in plasma - Ans:-True In the plasma, what helps maintain osmolarity? - Ans:-The ions What is the chief CATION in the plasma? - Ans:-Sodium (Na+) What is the chief ANION in the plasma? - Ans:-Chloride (Cl-) Many different proteins are dissolved in the plasma. The most abundant is what? - Ans:-Albumin What does albumin do? - Ans:-Provides the critical osmotic or oncotic pressure that regulates the movement of water in & out of the vascular space -Think back to Starling's forces What does the loss of plasma proteins into the extravascular space result in? (4) - Ans:-1. Ascites 2. Edema in closed cavities 3. Pleural effusions (lungs) 4. Pericardial effusions (heart) ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024 Page 3/62 What is the second largest group of plasma proteins? - Ans:-Immunoglobulins True or false: Other plasma proteins include the clotting factors, components of the compliment cascade (part of the immune system), enzymes, enzyme inhibitors & many others - Ans:-True The RBC is a "bag" containing fluid & hemoglobin. The RBC takes on a BICONCAVE shape with an average diameter of __ micrometers - Ans:-7 micrometers -RBC's can change shape & squeeze through capillaries (smaller than 7 micrometers) What is the lifespan of a RBC? - Ans:-120 days Do RBCs contain a nucleus or mithochondria? - Ans:-No! RBCs contain no nucleus or mitochondria yet they contain enzymes that are able to produce enough ATP to: (4) - Ans:-1. Maintain ion composition 2. Maintain the cell membrane 3. Keep iron in the cell in the ferrous form (Fe+2) form which binds oxygen as opposed to the ferric (Fe+3) form which does not bind oxygen 4. Prevent oxidation of the proteins in the RBC ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024 Page 4/62 What happens to the metabolic systems of the RBC as they age? - Ans:-The metabolic systems of the RBC become progressively LESS ACTIVE as they age thus, the cells become more fragile with age Many RBCs self-destruct in the __ - Ans:-Spleen True or false: Remember that the spleen has capillaries the size of 3 micrometers, thus the RBC must fold like a taco to squeeze through. This is not a problem if the cell is healthy, but becomes a problem when the membrane is fragile - Ans:-True So how big are the capillaries of the spleen? - Ans:-3 micrometers -RBCs are 7 micrometers -They must fold up & squeeze through -Not a problem unless the RBC membrane is fragile What happens when the spleen is removed? - Ans:-When the spleen is removed, the number of abnormally old RBC's greatly increase -As an old RBC becomes frail, it will fall tear apart ©GRACEAMELIA 2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FIRST PUBLISH OCTOBER 2024 Page 5/62 RBC's first appear in the early weeks of embryonic life. Early cells are produced in the __ __ - Ans:- Yolk sac During the middle trimester, what predominately produces RBCs? - Ans:-The LIVER is the main organ for production of RBC's followed by the SPLEEN & lymph nodes During the last trimester, & after birth, where are RBCs predominately produced? - Ans:- Predominantly in the BONE MARROW The bone marrow of ALL bones produces RBC's up to the age of __ years - Ans:-5 years By the age of 20 years, most of the RBC's are produced by the membranous bones such as the: (4) - Ans:-1. Vertebrae 2. Sternum 3. Ribs 4. Ilium