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On assuming care for a patient who was admitted after a motor vehicle accident, the nurse notes the spleen was removed to stem abdominal bleeding. The nurse understands that this will affect:

a) Blood clotting.
b) Red blood cell production.
c) Immune function.
d) Digestive processes.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The spleen removal will predominantly affect immune function, as the spleen plays a crucial role in filtering the blood and mounting immune responses to blood-borne pathogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

The removal of the spleen following a motor vehicle accident to stop abdominal bleeding will affect immune function. The spleen is an important secondary lymphoid organ which, among other functions, filters the blood and provides a site for immune responses to blood-borne pathogens. It contains macrophages and dendritic cells that remove microbes and damaged red blood cells from circulation. The spleen also supports the adaptive immune response by allowing communication between cells corresponding to the innate and adaptive immune systems.

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