Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

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Study for the Advanced Patient Assessment Exam. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each enriched with hints and detailed explanations. Equip yourself for success with this comprehensive prep!

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What substance is responsible for carrying red blood cell oxygen on to the tissues?

Thrombin
Hemoglobin
Prothrombin
Cytokines

The correct answer is: Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is the substance responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells to the tissues throughout the body. This protein has a unique structure that allows it to bind with oxygen in the lungs and release it in the tissues where it is needed for cellular respiration. Hemoglobin consists of four subunits, each containing an iron atom that can bind one molecule of oxygen, making it highly efficient at transporting oxygen. Thrombin and prothrombin are involved in the blood coagulation process, not oxygen transport. Thrombin is an enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin, playing a crucial role in the formation of blood clots. Prothrombin is an inactive precursor to thrombin and is also involved in the clotting cascade. Cytokines are signaling molecules that facilitate communication between cells in the immune response and other physiological processes but do not carry oxygen. Therefore, hemoglobin is the primary component providing the essential function of oxygen transport in the blood.