Final answer:
Prolonged tourniquet application will cause both hemolysis and hemoconcentration due to the impeding of blood flow and the buildup of metabolic products, leading to the damage and rupturing of red blood cells, and the reduction in plasma volume resulting in increased blood viscosity and concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prolonged tourniquet application will cause both hemolysis and hemoconcentration. Hemolysis occurs because prolonged tourniquet application impedes blood flow and can lead to a buildup of metabolic waste products, causing damage to the red blood cells. This damage can result in the cells rupturing and releasing their contents, including hemoglobin, into the blood. The term for this process is hemolysis.
Additionally, the use of a tourniquet leads to hemoconcentration, which is the increase in the concentration of cells and other components of the blood due to reduced plasma volume in the vessel beneath the tourniquet. This constriction can reduce fluid components in the vessel through filtration into the tissue, thereby increasing the viscosity and concentration of the remaining cellular components.
While edema is related to an accumulation of fluid in the tissues, which can be due to various conditions, including standing for long periods or varicose veins, it's not a direct result of prolonged tourniquet application, hence it's not the correct answer to this question. Therefore, the correct answer is d. both B and C.