WGU Pathophysiology D236 Test With
100% Correct Solutions
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have edema?
- Ans--Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary
membrane. There are two major opposing forces that act to balance each
other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and
osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the
capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect
osmotic pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood
would cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the
blood stream to dilute the high concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a
nutritionally deficient child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and
enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to edema.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? - Ans--A drop in
blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys triggers prodcution of renin
Renin triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, and converts it into
Angiotensin I and angiotensin II by the enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates
peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II stimulate the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which
acts to increase sodium and water absorption increasing blood volume,
while also increased potassium secretion in urine.
,How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? - Ans--Normal levels of
potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too
low causes muscle weakness too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat
can cause a heart attack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System,
and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance - Ans--Any
increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein
(denature), thereby affecting its function as well
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). - Ans--Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases)
Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg HCO3-: 22-
26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
Metabolic acidosis ph less than 7.35 and low HC03. Metabolic alkolosis ph
greater than 7.35 and so is hco3 both of these can be caused my dka. if the
ph and pco2 levels are going in the same direction it is metabolic if they are
going in a different direction it is respiratory
Respiratory alkolosis ph greater than 7.35and pco2 is decreased.
repsiratory acidosis is ph less than 7.35 and pco2 greater than
The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+)
and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in
determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or
lactic acidosis? - Ans--The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured
anions in the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones lead to the production of unmeasured anions,
therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
,Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? - Ans--Insulin is the
hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is
signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells
surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose if left in the blood, can to bind to proteins and lipids, which can lead
to loss of function. leading to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - Ans--Type I diabetes is
caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will not be taken
into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is
usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The
insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to
hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin
(metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis - Ans--AEIOU-
acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients
with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood
using a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
, Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other? - Ans--
Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body in one tube
while dialysate (made of water, electrolytes and salts) is pumped in the
separate tube in the opposite direction. Waste from the blood diffuses
through the semipermeable membrane separating the blood from the
dialysate.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a solution of
water and glucose into the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum acts as the
membrane instead of dialysis tubing. The waste products diffuse into the
abdominal cavity and the waste solution is then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption to the
patient's daily routines. However, it does require some training of the patient
and is not recommended for individuals who are overweight or have severe
kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several hours
sitting at a hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney failure are
recommended to use hemodialysis.
How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological health
impact your wellbeing? - Ans--Homeostasis acts to create a constant and
stable environment in the body despite internal and external changes.
Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal conditions in order to
carry out their functions.
Alterations in pH, salt concentration, temperature, glucose levels, etc. can
have negative effects on health, so it is vital for mechanisms that regulate
homeostasis to function properly for maintaining good health
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity ? - Ans--The
innate immune system encompasses physical barriers and chemical and
cellular defenses. Physical barriers protect the body from invasion. These
include things like the skin and eyelashes. Chemical barriers are defense
100% Correct Solutions
What is Starling's Law of Capillary forces?
How does this explain why a nutritionally deficient child would have edema?
- Ans--Starling's Law describes how fluids move across the capillary
membrane. There are two major opposing forces that act to balance each
other, hydrostatic pressure (pushing water out of the capillaries) and
osmotic pressure (including oncontic pressure, which pushes fluid into the
capillaries).
Both electrolytes and proteins (oncontic pressure) in the blood affect
osmotic pressure, high electrolyte and protein concentrations in the blood
would cause water to leave the cells and interstitial space and enter the
blood stream to dilute the high concentrations.
On, the other hand, low electrolyte and protein concentrations (as seen in a
nutritionally deficient child) would cause water to leave the capillaries and
enter the cells and interstitial fluid which can lead to edema.
How does the RAAS (Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System) result in
increased blood volume and increased blood pressure? - Ans--A drop in
blood pressure is sensed by the kidneys triggers prodcution of renin
Renin triggers the liver to produce angiotensinogen, and converts it into
Angiotensin I and angiotensin II by the enzyme
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Angiotensin II stimulates
peripheral arterial vasoconstriction which raises BP.
Angiotensin II stimulate the adrenal gland to release aldosterone, which
acts to increase sodium and water absorption increasing blood volume,
while also increased potassium secretion in urine.
,How can hyperkalemia lead to cardiac arrest? - Ans--Normal levels of
potassium are between 3.5 and 5.2 mEq/dL. Hyperkalemia refers to
potassium levels higher that 5.2 mEq/dL.
A major function of potassium is to conduct nerve impulses in muscles. Too
low causes muscle weakness too much can cause muscle spasms.
This is especially dangerous in the heart muscle and an irregular heartbeat
can cause a heart attack
The body uses the Protein Buffering System, Phosphate Buffering System,
and Carbonic Acid-Bicarbonate System to regulate and maintain
homeostatic pH, what is the consequence of a pH imbalance - Ans--Any
increase or decrease in blood pH can alter the structure of the protein
(denature), thereby affecting its function as well
Describe the laboratory findings associated with metabolic acidosis,
metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis. (ie
relative pH and CO2 levels). - Ans--Normal ABGs (Arterial Blood Gases)
Blood pH: 7.35-7.45 PCO2: 35-45 mm Hg PO2: 90-100 mm Hg HCO3-: 22-
26 mEq/L SaO2: 95-100%
Metabolic acidosis ph less than 7.35 and low HC03. Metabolic alkolosis ph
greater than 7.35 and so is hco3 both of these can be caused my dka. if the
ph and pco2 levels are going in the same direction it is metabolic if they are
going in a different direction it is respiratory
Respiratory alkolosis ph greater than 7.35and pco2 is decreased.
repsiratory acidosis is ph less than 7.35 and pco2 greater than
The anion gap is the difference between measured cations (Na+ and K+)
and measured anions (Cl- and HCO3-), this calculation can be useful in
determining the cause of metabolic acidosis.
Why would an increased anion gap be observed in diabetic ketoacidosis or
lactic acidosis? - Ans--The anion gap is the calculation of unmeasured
anions in the blood.
Lactic acid and ketones lead to the production of unmeasured anions,
therefore leads to an increase in the AG.
,Why is it important to maintain a homeostatic balance of glucose in the
blood (ie describe the pathogenesis of diabetes)? - Ans--Insulin is the
hormone responsible for initiating the uptake of glucose by the cells. Cells
use glucose to produce energy (ATP).
In a normal individual, when blood glucose increases, the pancreas is
signaled to produced in insulin, which binds to insulin receptors on a cells
surface and initiates the uptake of glucose.
Glucose if left in the blood, can to bind to proteins and lipids, which can lead
to loss of function. leading to damage in the heart and kidneys.
Compare and contrast Type I and Type II Diabetes - Ans--Type I diabetes is
caused by lack of insulin. With out insulin signaling, glucose will not be taken
into the cell and leads to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Type I is
usually treated with insulin injections.
Type II diabetes is caused by a desensitization to insulin signaling. The
insulin receptors are no longer responding to insulin, which also leads to
hyperglycemia.
Type II is usually treated with drugs to increase the sensitization to insulin
(metformin), dietary and life-style changes or insulin injections.
Describe some reasons for a patient needing dialysis - Ans--AEIOU-
acidosis. Electrolytes, Intoxication/Ingestion, overload, uremia. Patients
with kidney or heart failure.
A build up of phosphates, urea and magnesium are removed from the blood
using a semi-permeable membrane and dialysate.
AEIOU:
A—acidosis;
E—electrolytes principally hyperkalemia;
I—ingestions or overdose of medications/drugs;
O—overload of fluid causing heart failure;
U—uremia leading to encephalitis/pericarditis
, Compare and contrast hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
What are some reasons for a patient choosing one over the other? - Ans--
Hemodialysis uses a machine to pump blood from the body in one tube
while dialysate (made of water, electrolytes and salts) is pumped in the
separate tube in the opposite direction. Waste from the blood diffuses
through the semipermeable membrane separating the blood from the
dialysate.
Peritoneal Dialysis does not use a machine, but instead injects a solution of
water and glucose into the abdominal cavity. The peritoneum acts as the
membrane instead of dialysis tubing. The waste products diffuse into the
abdominal cavity and the waste solution is then drained from the body.
Peritoneal dialysis offers continuous filtration and is less disruption to the
patient's daily routines. However, it does require some training of the patient
and is not recommended for individuals who are overweight or have severe
kidney failure.
Hemodialysis provides medical care, but 3 times a week for several hours
sitting at a hospital or clinic. Individuals with acute kidney failure are
recommended to use hemodialysis.
How does homeostasis and maintaining optimal physiological health
impact your wellbeing? - Ans--Homeostasis acts to create a constant and
stable environment in the body despite internal and external changes.
Proteins and other cellular processes require optimal conditions in order to
carry out their functions.
Alterations in pH, salt concentration, temperature, glucose levels, etc. can
have negative effects on health, so it is vital for mechanisms that regulate
homeostasis to function properly for maintaining good health
Differentiate between Innate Immunity and Adaptive Immunity ? - Ans--The
innate immune system encompasses physical barriers and chemical and
cellular defenses. Physical barriers protect the body from invasion. These
include things like the skin and eyelashes. Chemical barriers are defense
