Author Question: The thickness or viscosity of the blood affects the ease with which blood flows through small ... (Read 75 times)

dalyningkenk · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The thickness or viscosity of the blood affects the ease with which blood flows through small vessels. The nurse examines what value, which might help determine the amount of blood viscosity?

a. Hematocrit
b. Cardiac output
c. Arterial size
d. Blood volume

Question 2

The patient's blood pressure is 140/60. The nurse realizes that this equates to a pulse pressure of

a. 140.
b. 60.
c. 80.
d. 200.

morrie123456 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The hematocrit, or the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, determines blood viscosity. Blood pressure also depends on the cardiac output or volume pumped by the heart, but cardiac output does not affect viscosity. Arterial size helps to modify blood pressure. The smaller lumen of a vessel increases vascular resistance but does not affect viscosity. Blood volume also affects blood pressure, but it does not directly affect viscosity.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The difference between the systolic pressure and the diastolic pressure is the pulse pressure. For a blood pressure of 140/60, the pulse pressure is 80 (140 60 = 80). 140 is the systolic pressure. 60 is the diastolic pressure. 200 is the systolic (140) added to the diastolic (60), but this has no clinical significance.