PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WEEK
5 TD1 Alterations in
Endocrine Function
Discussion Part One
,Week 5: Alterations in Endocrine Function - Discussion Part One
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Discussion
This week's graded topics relate to the following Course Outcomes (COs).
1 Analyze pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)
2 Differentiate the epidemiology, etiology, developmental considerations, pathogenesis, and clinical and laboratory
manifestations of specific disease processes. (PO 1)
3 Examine the way in which homeostatic, adaptive, and compensatory physiological mechanisms can be supported
and/or altered through specific therapeutic interventions. (PO 1, 7)
4 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)
5 Describe outcomes of disruptive or alterations in specific physiologic processes. (PO 1)
6 Distinguish risk factors associated with selected disease states. (PO 1)
7 Explore age-specific and developmental alterations in physiologic and disease states. (PO 1, 4)
Discussion Part One (graded)
Ms. Blake is an older adult with diabetes and has been too ill to get out of bed for 2 days. She has had a severe cough and has been unable to
eat or drink during this time. She has a history of Type I diabetes. On admission her laboratory values show:
Sodium (Na+) 156 mEq/L
Potassium (K+) 4.0 mEq/L
Chloride (Cl–) 115 mEq/L
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) pH- 7.30; Pco2-40; Po2-70; HCO3-20
Normal values
Sodium (Na+) 136-146 mEq/L
Potassium (K+) 3.5-5.1 mEq/L
Chloride (Cl–) 98-106 mEq/L
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) pH- 7.35-7.45
Pco2- 35-45 mmHg
Po2-80-100 mmHg
HCO3–22-28 mEq/L
• List five (5) reasons on why she may have become bed ridden?
• Based on these reasons what tests would you order?
• Describe the molecular mechanism of the development of ketoacidosis.
Responses
Lorna Durfee 5/29/2016 8:58:33 AM
Discussion Part One
Ms. Blake is an older adult with diabetes and has been too ill to get out of bed for two days. She has had a severe cough and has been unable to eat or
drink during this time. She has a history of Type I diabetes.
, On admission, her laboratory values show: PATIENT VALUES
Sodium (Na+) 156 mEq/L
Potassium (K+) 4.0 mEq/L
Chloride (Cl–) 115 mEq/L
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) pH- 7.30; Pco2-40; Po2-70; HCO3-20
NORMAL VALUES
Normal values
Sodium (Na+) 136-146 mEq/L
Potassium (K+) 3.5-5.1 mEq/L
Chloride (Cl–) 98-106 mEq/L
Arterial blood gases (ABGs) pH- 7.35-7.45
Pco2- 35-45 mmHg
Po2-80-100 mmHg
HCO3–22-28 mEq/L
• List five (5) reasons on why she may have become bed ridden?
• Based on these reasons what tests would you order?
• Describe the molecular mechanism of the development of ketoacidosis
The patient is an older adult and has been ill for two days. She has a severe cough and not able to eat or drink. She has type I diabetes.
Labs: Sodium is 156 mEq/L, normal is: 136-146, Chloride 115 mEq/L, normal is: 98-106, pH 7.30, normal is 7.35-7.45, little low, Po2- 70, is low,
normal 80-100, HC03 low at 20, normal 22-28.
The patient has:
High sodium at 156, high chloride at 115.
Low Ph 7.30, Low, Po2 (partial pressure of oxygen) is 70, HC03 (bicarbonate) is 20, low.
Doctor Brown and Class:
Kishore (2014) explains that diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, hyperketonemia, and metabolic
acidosis. He also explains that DKA occurs mostly in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. When a patient has ketoacidosis, they can exhibit nausea,
vomiting, and abdominal pain. It is a very serious condition that can lead to cerebral edema and coma as well as death. The diagnosis of DKA is
confirmed with detection of hyperketonemia and anion gap metabolic acidosis with hyperglycemia. Because this patient is ill, it can be one of the
stressors that can trigger DKA (Kishore, 2014).
McCance, Brashers, Huether and Robert E Jones (2014) tell us that Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus. DKA
develops as a result of a deficiency of insulin and an increase in the levels of insulin counter-regulatory hormones (McCance et. al., 2014 p. 744). It is
most commonly found in patients with type I diabetes but sometimes found in type II diabetes. When a patient has an intercurrent illness or infection,
especially a patient with diabetes type I diabetic ketoacidosis can be a serious problem. The authors also relate that when there is an interruption of
insulin administration can also result in DKA (McCance, Huether, Brashers, & Rote, 2014, p. 744).
When there is insulin deficiency the counter-regulatory hormone concentrations increase. Those hormones are catecholamines, cortisol, glucagon, and
GH. These hormones antagonize insulin by increasing glucose production thus decreasing tissue use of glucose. With a deficiency of insulin that is
profound, there is a decreased glucose uptake. Also, there is an increased fat metabolism with the release of fatty acids and accelerated
gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis. With increased glucagon levels there is a contribution to the activation of the gluconeogenic and ketogenic liver
pathways. Because there is insulin deficiency the overproduction of hepatic B-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetic acids causing increased ketones.
Ketones are used by the tissues as sources to regenerate the bicarbonate. When ketones are found they act to balance the loss of bicarbonate.
Hyperketonemia may be a result of impairment in the use of ketones by tissues, and this allows organic acids to circulate. If bicarbonate buffering does
not occur, the patient develops metabolic acidosis (McCance et al., 2014, p. 745).
Diabetic Ketoacidosis results in reduced insulin levels and elevation of counter-regulatory hormones. The hormones are catecholamines, glucagon,
cortisol, growth hormone. The effects of hormonal alterations are; acceleration of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis and a decrease in glucose
utilization by the peripheral tissues that will result in hypoglycemia, and an increase in lipolysis resulting in increased production of free fatty acids,
which are converted to ketone bodies in the liver, and this leads to ketonemia. There is also an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine and pro-
coagulation factor levels (Dynamed, 2016).
Westerberg (2013) also informs us that DKA results in insulin deficiency from insulin noncompliance, and increased insulin need because of
infection. The deficiency stimulates the elevation of counterregulatory hormones (Westerberg, 2013, p. 337). When there is no ability to use glucose
the body needs another source of energy. Lipase activity will increase and causes a breakdown of adipose tissue that frees fatty acids. The breakdown
of adipose tissue and the free fatty acids convert the acetyl coenzyme A for energy production. The remainder is broken down into ketones. The body
uses ketones for energy. However, they accumulate rapidly. Glycogen and proteins are catabolized and form glucose. With the production of glucose,
there is a promotion in hyperglycemia and leads to an osmotic diuresis that results in dehydration, metabolic acidosis and hyperosmolar state
(Westerberg, 2013, p. 338).
There are at least (5) five reasons for the patient being bedridden. Because the patient has an infection and she is diabetic, it can set the stage for DKA
and the complications that arise with this condition. As we do not know the medications she requires we do not know if she has medication
compliance. Medications can also influence metabolic processes. The patient appears to have a lack of appetite and is not drinking or eating and can
be dehydrated. She also has become weak because she is not eating or drinking. Again, we are not certain what insulin she may be requiring, and
perhaps she has not taken her insulin correctly. Her mental status may become impaired due to dehydration. Because of her illness, she also may have
lethargy. She may have problems with breathing, and she could have pneumonia.
The tests that need to obtained are outlined by Kishore (2014). The author informs us of the need to evaluate her serum glucose. Additional tests to
order would be serum electrolytes, BUN, and creatinine, glucose, ketones, osmolarity. She needs a urine test for ketones. If the ketones are positive
then ABG measurement. With DKA there is an arterial pH < 7.30 with anion gap > 12, and serum ketones in the presence of hyperglycemia. If urine
glucose and ketones are positive we can presume, she had DKA. With her present illness, she also needs appropriate studies (cultures, imaging)
(Kishore, 2014). She will need a chest x-ray for her coughing to rule out pneumonia or other pathology. She should have an ECG to screen for acute
MI and determine abnormalities in serum K. We should measure phosphate and magnesium, liver enzymes, CBC with differential, HbA1c (Dynamed,
2016). Further investigation is urgently needed.