Question

Which of the following factors might cause a client's blood pressure to increase?

1) Decreased elasticity of the smooth muscles of the vessels
2) Decreased blood viscosity
3) Increased cardiac output
4) D. Increased blood volume
5) Decreased peripheral vascular resistance

Answer 1

Decreased elasticity of vessel smooth muscles, increased cardiac output, and increased blood volume can all increase blood pressure, whereas decreased blood viscosity and peripheral resistance typically lower it.

Step-by-step explanation:

To answer the question of which factors might cause a client's blood pressure to increase:

• Decreased elasticity of the smooth muscles of the vessels causes blood pressure to increase because stiffer vessels cannot expand easily under pressure, leading to higher pressures within the arteries.
• Increased cardiac output results in more blood being pumped by the heart, leading to an increase in blood pressure.
• Increased blood volume can also cause blood pressure to rise because there is more fluid in the system, which adds pressure against the vessel walls.

However, decreased blood viscosity and decreased peripheral vascular resistance would have the opposite effect and tend to lower blood pressure, not raise it.

Thus, the factors that can cause an increase in blood pressure are decreased elasticity of smooth muscles, increased cardiac output, and increased blood volume.