Which of the following is an example of a condition that can cause neuronal injury?

Prepare for the New Zealand State Nursing Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get prepared to excel in your test!

Acidosis refers to an imbalance in the body's acid-base levels, where there is either an increase in acid or a decrease in bicarbonate. This condition can lead to neuronal injury due to the effects of altered pH levels on various cellular processes within the nervous system. Neurons are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment, and acidosis can disrupt normal neuronal function, leading to symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, and potentially more severe neurological deficits.

Chronic acidosis can influence the flow of ions across neuronal membranes, impair neurotransmitter release, and alter synaptic transmission. This can result in a cascade of pathways leading to neuronal damage or death.

In contrast, while conditions like a broken bone or hypertension can impact overall health, they typically do not directly cause neuronal injury in the same way that a metabolic derangement like acidosis does. Anemia, though it affects oxygen delivery to tissues, does not have the same direct impact on neuronal function as acidosis. Thus, acidosis is the most pertinent condition in the context of neuronal injury.

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