In drowning, water passes through the patient's lungs into the bloodstream. There it can cause ________.

In the context of drowning, when water enters the patient's lungs, it can lead to fluid accumulation in the lungs and subsequently the bloodstream. This accumulation can cause a type of condition known as pulmonary edema, where excess fluid builds up in the air sacs of the lungs. The presence of this fluid in the bloodstream can disrupt normal blood flow and cause a range of problems.

Fluid accumulation can also overwhelm the body’s ability to manage and process the fluid effectively, leading to respiratory distress and impaired oxygenation of the blood. Consequently, this can create an environment conducive to other complications, such as infections or inflammation within the respiratory and circulatory systems. However, regarding the answer provided, while thinning of the blood may have theoretical implications, it is not a primary effect observed from the water entering the bloodstream in a drowning scenario. Instead, the primary concern in drowning remains the fluid management and the resulting effects on respiration and circulation.