Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is one of the roles of the liver in regards to blood?

1. Increases blood pressure

2. Clots blood

3. Clears drugs and poisons

4. Produces antibodies

The correct answer is: Clears drugs and poisons

The liver plays a significant role in maintaining the equilibrium of various substances in the blood, one of which is its ability to clear drugs and poisons. This function is part of the liver's overall responsibility in metabolism and detoxification. When blood flows through the liver, it is subjected to a multitude of biochemical processes that help break down harmful substances such as toxins and medications, rendering them less harmful so they can be excreted from the body. This detoxification process is vital for preventing the accumulation of toxic levels of drugs and other harmful substances, thereby protecting the body from potential damage. The other options are less relevant to the liver's functions. For instance, while the liver does influence blood pressure indirectly through the regulation of blood volume and other factors, its primary role is not to increase blood pressure. Clotting factors are indeed produced by the liver, but the liver itself is not responsible for the act of clotting; that involves a series of events in the blood vessel system. Lastly, while antibodies are crucial for immune response, they are produced primarily by lymphocytes in the immune system, not the liver. Therefore, the clearing of drugs and poisons is the most accurate representation of one of the liver’s critical functions in relation to blood.