EK biology lecture 7 question

[SChiO]

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150. Hypovolemic shock represents a set of symptoms that occur when a patient's blood volume falls abruptly. Hypovolemic shock is most likely to occur during:

A. arterial bleeding
B. venous bleeding
C. low oxygen intake
D. excess sodium consumption

The correct answer is A because that's where the highest pressure occurs. However, I was thinking the answer was B since veins carry majority of the volume of blood.

Can anyone explain why my logic of thinking is wrong?? Thanks!

 

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if you sever a major artery, you're going to bleed out FAST and die of shock if you don't stop the blood flow in time. If you have a bleeding vein you can theoretically have similar problems due to blood loss but this flow is going to be slow and can clot, and also will not cause as drastic of a fall in BP where the body is unable to compensate. Breaking open an artery is like breaking open a fire hydrant. Think of veins as "capacitance vessels" in the sense that they are bigger more compliant vessels that can hold a bunch of volume if needed.

 

[SChiO]

if you sever a major artery, you're going to bleed out FAST and die of shock if you don't stop the blood flow in time. If you have a bleeding vein you can theoretically have similar problems due to blood loss but this flow is going to be slow and can clot, and also will not cause as drastic of a fall in BP where the body is unable to compensate. Breaking open an artery is like breaking open a fire hydrant. Think of veins as "capacitance vessels" in the sense that they are bigger more compliant vessels that can hold a bunch of volume if needed.

Thank you!!!! That was a very good analogy and makes complete sense to me. I appreciate it 🙂