Question

What does the nurse understand will result if the patient has a deficiency in the normal level of complement?

A) Increased risk of infection
B) Increased risk of bleeding
C) Impaired wound healing
D) Altered cardiac function

Answer 1

A deficiency in the normal level of complement in the body leads to an increased risk of infection due to an impaired immune response, as the complement system is integral in clearing pathogens. Therefore, the correct option is a.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient has a deficiency in the normal level of complement, the nurse would understand that this can lead to an increased risk of infection. Complement is a crucial part of the immune system that helps in clearing pathogens from the body. When it is deficient, the body's ability to recognize, mark, and destroy foreign pathogens is impaired. This inability results in a higher susceptibility to infections as the immune system is unable to effectively destroy foreign invaders due to lack of hydrolytic enzymes. In contrast, deficiencies related to inadequate production of clotting factors or the production of heparin are connected with bleeding disorders and not directly with the complement system.