An oncologic surgeon removes axillary lymph nodes during a breast cancer resection. Which outcome is likely to occur in the affected arm because of this lymphatic disruption?

💡 Explanation

Edema is likely because lymphatic vessels normally drain interstitial fluid; therefore, removing lymph nodes impairs lymphatic drainage, leading to fluid accumulation in the interstitial space rather than the other options, which involve different mechanisms or tissues.

• A patient with advanced kidney disease experiences a sharp drop in glomerular filtration rate. Which effect becomes most likely due to decreased filtration of proteins?
• If a patient develops sepsis following a surgical procedure, which mechanism explains why widespread inflammation can paradoxically lead to organ hypoperfusion and failure?
• Why does severe acute pancreatitis often trigger acute kidney injury?
• A patient with a genetic defect has impaired Class II MHC protein expression on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). If exposed to a novel pathogen, which consequence is most likely?
• Why does blood pressure remain elevated after initial sympathetic nervous system activation subsides in essential hypertension?
• Why does the luteal phase exhibit relatively stable progesterone levels, rather than precipitous drops as follicles degrade?