A young woman, who lives alone, comes home at night to find a man in her apartment. What body responses would be expected for this young woman?

A) Increased calcium: Sympathetic activation typically does not cause a direct increase in calcium levels. Calcium levels are more influenced by factors like parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D, or conditions such as bone disease or renal issues. Although some stress responses can lead to changes in calcium metabolism, an increase in calcium is not a typical response to sympathetic activation.

B) Decreased sodium: While sodium imbalances can occur in various conditions, the sympathetic nervous system does not directly cause a decrease in sodium. The body's handling of sodium is more influenced by factors like kidney function and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Stress-related changes in sodium levels are less likely to cause a significant decrease in sodium, making this an unlikely focus in monitoring.

C) Decreased potassium: During stress, the body releases catecholamines (like epinephrine) as part of the sympathetic nervous response, which stimulates the movement of potassium into cells. This can result in a transient decrease in serum potassium levels (hypokalemia). Monitoring for decreased potassium is important, as low potassium can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness, which are particularly concerning after surgery or trauma.

D) Increased chloride: Chloride is typically maintained in balance with sodium, and while it may shift in certain conditions, sympathetic activation does not directly lead to increased chloride levels. Most chloride imbalances are secondary to changes in sodium, acid-base disturbances, or kidney function. Therefore, an increase in chloride is less likely in this scenario.

A) Beta 1: Beta-1 adrenergic receptors are primarily located in the heart and are responsible for increasing heart rate (chronotropy), the force of contraction (inotropy), and the conduction speed of electrical impulses within the heart (dromotropy). When a drug is given to increase heart rate and myocardial activity, it is stimulating the beta-1 receptors, which enhance the heart's performance..

B) Beta 2: Beta-2 receptors are predominantly found in smooth muscles, such as those
in the bronchi, blood vessels, and uterus. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors leads to relaxation of these muscles, including bronchodilation and vasodilation, which would not have a direct effect on increasing heart rate or myocardial activity.

C) Alpha 2: Alpha-2 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system (CNS) and act to inhibit the release of norepinephrine, leading to a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity. They have the opposite effect of what is desired in this case, as stimulation of alpha-2 receptors would actually lower heart rate and decrease myocardial activity, not increase it.

D) Alpha 1: Alpha-1 receptors are found in the smooth muscle of blood vessels and when stimulated, cause vasoconstriction, which increases blood pressure. While alpha-1 receptors do affect the cardiovascular system, they do not directly influence heart rate or myocardial contractility.