Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What condition can result from excessive production of prostaglandins?

1. Constipation

2. Pain and fever

3. Increased energy

4. Shortness of breath

The correct answer is: Pain and fever

The excessive production of prostaglandins is closely linked to pain and fever. Prostaglandins are lipid compounds that have diverse roles in the body, including the mediation of inflammation. They are produced in response to injury or infection and play a crucial role in the pain response by sensitizing nerve endings to pain stimuli. This sensitivity leads to the perception of pain in tissues where inflammation is present. Furthermore, prostaglandins have pyrogenic properties, meaning they can induce fever. They affect the hypothalamus, which is the body's thermostat, raising the body's set point temperature in response to infection or inflammation. As such, when prostaglandin levels are elevated, it commonly results in both pain and an increase in body temperature, which are characteristic symptoms of inflammatory responses. In contrast, conditions like constipation or increased energy are not typically associated with elevated prostaglandin levels, and shortness of breath is more related to respiratory or cardiovascular issues rather than the direct effects of prostaglandins. Thus, recognizing the role of prostaglandins in mediating pain and fever is essential for understanding various inflammatory responses in the body.