Question

If kidneys fail to reabsorb water, the effect on tissue would

• A. Remain unaffected
• B. Shrink and shrivel
• C. Absorb water from blood plasma
• D. Take more O${}_2$ from the blood

Answer 1

The correct option is B Shrink and shrivel

If the kidney fails to reabsorb water, the end result is dehydration causing the cells to shrink and shrivel due to steadily rising blood sodium level. Patients can urinate over a liter of fluid per hour. Due to this, the serum sodium level can increase precipitously. The resulting hypernatremia (ie: elevated sodium level) can cause seizures, altered mental status, and coma if not recognized and treated aggressively. So, the correct answer is option B.