Question

Sweating firefighters must replace essential electrolytes. Failure to replace electrolytes will lead to a ___________ at the cell level, which leads to overexertion and the accompanying risk of injury and metal lapses.

A. Nutritional deficiency B. Electrolyte overload
C. Chemical imbalance
D. Muscle strain

Answer 1

Failure to replace electrolytes after excessive sweating can lead to a chemical imbalance in the body, causing overexertion, risk of injury, mental lapses, and other serious health issues.

The correct answer is C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sweating firefighters must replace essential electrolytes because failure to replace electrolytes will lead to a chemical imbalance at the cell level. This imbalance disrupts crucial body functions such as nerve impulse conduction, muscle contractions, and maintaining water balance. If unchecked, this imbalance can contribute to overexertion, risking injury and numerous health issues including metal lapses, muscle weakness, and increased heart rate, which in extreme cases could lead to a heart attack. As such, it is important for firefighters and those engaging in strenuous activities, especially in heat, to consume fluids that restore electrolytes quickly, such as sports drinks.