A 78-year-old male patient has undergone a total knee replacement. He just does not feel like getting out of bed and moving around. After 3 days of staying in bed, the physical therapist encourages him to get out of bed to the chair for meals. He starts to complain of dizziness and light-headedness. These symptoms are primarily caused by which of the following pathophysiological principles? Select all that apply. The patient('s)

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prolonged bed rest promotes a reduction in plasma volume, a decrease in venous tone, failure of peripheral vasoconstriction, and weakness of the skeletal muscles that support the veins and assist in returning blood to the heart. Endorphins make one feel better in mood. Three days post-op, there should be no further bleeding from the surgical site. If there is, then this is a complication that must be addressed immediately. Loss of vascular and skeletal muscle tone is less predictable but probably becomes maximal after 2 weeks.

A 78-Year-Old Male Patient Has Undergone a Total Knee Replacement