If the pressure gradient increases while peripheral resistance remains constant, what happens to flow rate?

If the pressure gradient increases while peripheral resistance remains constant, what happens to flow rate?

• A. Flow rate decreases.
• B. Flow rate remains the same.
• C. Flow rate increases.
• D. Flow rate becomes unpredictable.

Answer: (C)

The driving principle here is that flow rate equals the pressure difference driving the flow divided by the resistance. With the resistance constant, flow is directly proportional to the pressure gradient. So when the pressure gradient increases, the same resistance allows more blood to pass per unit time, meaning flow rate goes up. This is why the correct outcome is that flow rate increases. If the pressure difference changed in the opposite direction or resistance changed, the flow could behave differently, but with constant resistance and a larger ΔP, Q increases.

The driving principle here is that flow rate equals the pressure difference driving the flow divided by the resistance. With the resistance constant, flow is directly proportional to the pressure gradient. So when the pressure gradient increases, the same resistance allows more blood to pass per unit time, meaning flow rate goes up. This is why the correct outcome is that flow rate increases. If the pressure difference changed in the opposite direction or resistance changed, the flow could behave differently, but with constant resistance and a larger ΔP, Q increases.