ATI Hematologic System Related

Review ATI Hematologic System related questions and content

A nursing student wants to know why clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease tend to be polycythemic. What response by the nurse instructor is best?

  • A. It is due to side effects of medications for bronchodilation.
  • B. It is from overactive bone marrow in response to chronic disease.
  • C. It combats the anemia caused by an increased metabolic rate.
  • D. It compensates for tissue hypoxia caused by lung disease.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the lungs are unable to efficiently oxygenate the blood, leading to tissue hypoxia. Polycythemia is the body's compensatory mechanism to increase red blood cell production in an attempt to improve oxygen-carrying capacity to tissues. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as polycythemia in COPD is primarily a response to tissue hypoxia rather than medication side effects, overactive bone marrow, or combating anemia related to increased metabolic rate.