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Multiple Choice
Which of the following would increase resistance to blood flow?
A
Decreased blood viscosity
B
Decreased cardiac output
C
Increased blood vessel diameter
D
Increased blood vessel length
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of resistance to blood flow, which is influenced by factors such as blood viscosity, vessel length, and vessel diameter.
Recall that blood viscosity refers to the thickness of the blood. Decreased blood viscosity would reduce resistance, as thinner blood flows more easily.
Consider cardiac output, which is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. Decreased cardiac output does not directly increase resistance; it affects the amount of blood flow rather than the resistance itself.
Examine the effect of blood vessel diameter. Increased diameter decreases resistance because a wider vessel allows blood to flow more freely.
Recognize that increased blood vessel length increases resistance because the blood has to travel a longer distance, encountering more friction along the vessel walls.