Basic and Clinical Sciences (BCSE) Practice Exam

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Which symptom is a consequence of hypernatremia?

Increased appetite

Dehydration-related weakness

Thirst

In hypernatremia, which is characterized by elevated sodium levels in the blood, one of the primary physiological responses is an increase in thirst. This response occurs due to the body's need to restore balance in the osmolarity of the extracellular fluid. When sodium levels rise, it can lead to cellular dehydration as water moves out of cells to equilibrate osmotic pressure. This triggers the hypothalamus, which is responsible for regulating fluid balance, to stimulate thirst, prompting the individual to seek out water to rehydrate.

The thirst mechanism is essential for the body's homeostasis, allowing for the correction of hypernatremia by encouraging fluid intake. Hence, of the symptoms listed, increased thirst is the most direct and significant symptom associated with hypernatremia.

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Excessive sweating

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