Which physiological response is often associated with surgery-related stress

Which physiological response is often associated with surgery-related stress?

• 1- Bronchial constriction.
• 2- Decreased cortisol levels.
• 3- Peripheral vasodilation.
• 4- Sodium and water retention.

The correct answer is: 4- Sodium and water retention.

Here's why the other options are not associated with surgery-related stress:

- Bronchial constriction:

This is typically associated with allergic reactions or asthma, not stress.

- Decreased cortisol levels:

Cortisol is a stress hormone, so its levels actually increase during surgery and other stressful situations.

- Peripheral vasodilation:

This may occur during the initial fight-or-flight response to stress, but in the more prolonged stress of surgery, the body typically shunts blood away from the periphery and towards vital organs.

Sodium and water retention:

Sodium and water retention is a common effect of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activation that occurs during surgery and other stressful situations. This activation leads to the release of hormones like cortisol, which promote fluid retention and increased blood volume to help cope with the stress. This can lead to complications like edema and weight gain.

Therefore, sodium and water retention is the most likely physiological response to be associated with surgery-related stress.