Certified Wound Ostomy Nurse (CWON) Practice Test

What occurs during reactive hyperemia?

1. Capillary bed is permanently damaged

2. Blood flow is significantly reduced

3. Pressure is relieved and blood rushes into dilated vessels

4. Skin remains unchanged for hours

The correct answer is: Pressure is relieved and blood rushes into dilated vessels

During reactive hyperemia, there is a temporary increase in blood flow to an area of the body that has experienced a reduction or interruption in blood supply. This reaction typically occurs after the pressure causing the obstruction is removed, allowing blood to rush into the previously compressed and dilated blood vessels. This physiological response is the body's way of compensating for the lack of oxygen and nutrients during the period of restricted blood flow. The dilated vessels, once release from pressure, can accommodate a larger volume of blood, leading to the observable rush of blood into the area. The other options describe scenarios that do not align with the definition and process of reactive hyperemia. Capillary bed damage and reduced blood flow pertain to more severe complications that can result from sustained pressure or ischemia rather than the adaptive response seen in reactive hyperemia. Similarly, unchanged skin over hours does not reflect the immediate physiological changes that occur when blood flow is restored after a period of restriction.