A patient with a bleeding ulcer had an elevated heart rate, but his blood pressure was very low and dropping. After the bleeding was stopped and a blood transfusion was given, blood pressure increased. Which of these statements are consistent with these observations?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's condition improved after medical intervention (stopping the bleeding and administering a blood transfusion), indicating that the body's negative-feedback mechanisms were inadequate on their own to correct the problem. The transfusion helped to increase blood volume and pressure, countering the cycle of dropping blood pressure and increasing heart rate, which can be seen as interrupting a positive-feedback loop where the initial problem exacerbates itself.

A Patient with a Bleeding Ulcer Had an Elevated Heart