Pregnant patients can usually tolerate the normal blood loss associated with childbirth because of which physiologic adaptation to pregnancy?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Increased blood volume. During pregnancy, a woman's blood volume increases by about 30-50% to support the growing fetus and prepare for potential blood loss during childbirth. This increased blood volume helps pregnant patients tolerate the normal blood loss associated with childbirth without experiencing severe complications like hypovolemic shock.
Rationale:
A: A higher hematocrit would not directly contribute to increased blood volume and would not help in tolerating blood loss during childbirth.
B: Increased leukocytes are part of the immune response and are not directly related to blood volume or tolerance to blood loss.
D: A lower fibrinogen level would not directly contribute to increased blood volume and would not help in tolerating blood loss during childbirth.
Summary:
Choice C is correct because increased blood volume is a crucial physiologic adaptation during pregnancy that enables pregnant patients to tolerate the normal blood loss associated with childbirth. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not directly related to this