A nurse is teaching a nursing student how blood can return to the heart when pressure in the venous capillary beds is very low. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "Constriction of small muscles in the venous wall increases venous pressure."
B) "Negative pressure in the left atrium draws blood toward the heart."
C) "Skeletal muscles relax to allow the free flow of blood."
D) "Venous valves help prevent the backflow of blood."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Skeletal muscle contraction, along with one-way venous valves, helps create an "auxiliary" venous pump that helps drive blood toward the heart. Constriction of small muscles in venous walls helps increase venous pressure. Negative pressure in the left atrium sucks blood toward the heart. Valves, which are one way, work with the contraction of skeletal muscles to create a venous pump.

A Nurse Is Teaching a Nursing Student How Blood Can