Question 20
A patient has a serum sodium level of 165 mEq/L. The healthcare professional explains that the clinical
manifestations of confusion, convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, and coma are caused by what
mechanism?
O Low sodium in the blood vessels draws chloride into the brain cells followed by water, causing the
brain cells to swell.
O High sodium in the blood vessels pulls water out of the brain cells into the blood vessels, causing
brain cells to shrink.
O Low sodium in the blood vessels pulls potassium out of the brain cells, which slows the synapses in
the brain.
O High sodium in the brain cells pulls water out of the blood vessels into the brain cells, causing them
to swell.