The nurse suspects that a patient has polycythemia vera based on which finding in the patient's laboratory reports? Select all that apply.
One, some, or all responses may be correct.

The correct answer is: B. Normocytic.

Choice A rationale: Microcytic erythrocytes, or smaller-than-normal red blood cells, are typically seen in chronic conditions like iron deficiency anemia, not acute blood loss.

Choice B rationale: Normocytic erythrocytes, or normal-sized red blood cells, are usually seen in acute blood loss as the body's initial response doesn't alter the size of red blood cells.

Choice C rationale: Hypochromic erythrocytes, or paler-than-normal red blood cells, are more common in chronic anemia states such as iron deficiency.

Choice D rationale: Megaloblastic erythrocytes, or abnormally large red blood cells, are seen in conditions like vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, not in acute blood loss.

Choice A rationale:

Buffers do not excrete weak acids; instead, they help regulate the pH of bodily fluids by preventing drastic changes in acidity or alkalinity.

Choice B rationale:

Buffers do not secrete hydrogen ions. In fact, buffers can either absorb or release hydrogen ions to maintain a stable pH.

Choice C rationale:

To convert strong acids to weak acids is the correct answer. Buffers are substances that can neutralize both acids and bases, helping to maintain a stable pH in a solution. They achieve this by accepting hydrogen ions from strong acids or donating hydrogen ions to strong bases, converting them into weaker acids or bases, respectively.

Choice D rationale:

Buffers do not convert ammonia to ammonium ions. This conversion is a part of the body's acid-base regulation system, but it is not the primary function of buffers.