Which of the following patients would be most likely to be experiencing an increase in renal erythropoietin production?
A) A 71-year-old smoker admitted to hospital with exacerbation of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
B) A 70-year-old woman admitted with dehydration secondary to an overdose of her potassium-wasting diuretic
C) A 68-year-old man with a long-standing diagnosis of polycythemia vera
D) A 21-year-old man with acute blood loss secondary to a motor vehicle accident 3 hours prior

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increases in erythropoietin production are associated with secondary polycythemia, and not polycythemia vera, a health problem that can be induced by the hypoxia resulting from smoking and lung disease. Dehydration is associated with relative polycythemia, and sudden blood loss would not manifest in increased erythropoietin production.

Which of the Following Patients Would Be Most Likely to Be