The nurse is teaching a client about blood pressure regulation. Which would the nurse include in this teaching session as the structure that regulates blood pressure on a minute-to-minute basis?

Question

1. The liver
2. The heart
3. The vasomotor center
4. The lungs

Answer 1

3

Rationale 1: The liver is responsible for metabolism and not blood pressure.
Rationale 2: The heart is responsible for pumping of the blood.
Rationale 3: The vasomotor center regulates blood pressure on a minute-to-minute basis.
Rationale 4: The lungs are responsible for cellular respiration.

Global Rationale: The vasomotor center regulates blood pressure on a minute-to-minute basis. Blood pressure is regulated on a minute-to-minute basis by a cluster of neurons in the medulla oblongata called the vasomotor center. Nerves travel from the vasomotor center to the arteries, where the smooth muscle is directed to either constrict (raise blood pressure) or relax (lower blood pressure).