The goal of this assignment is to show that you understand the importance of the liver, pancreas, and kidneys in the proper functioning of the human body.
Sarah, a 63-year-old female with a past medical history significant for diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, gout, and a 30-pack a year smoking history, presents to the emergency room with chest pain revealing pericarditis in the echocardiogram, secondary to recently diagnosed end-stage renal disease. Physical examination reveals yellowish discoloration to the skin and sclera, multiple bruises, and 2+ bilateral edema. Sarah reports weakness lasting more than three weeks. Her medications include Glisten, a new drug for diabetes that causes ATP sensitive potassium channels to close, thereby releasing insulin.
Her recent laboratory results are as follows:
CBC
Sodium
126 mEq/L
Glucose
220 mmol/L
Calcium
7.1 mg/dl
Red blood cell count
3.9 cells / ul
Vitals
Blood pressure
92/64 mmHg
Blood Gases
pH
7.28
CO2
30 mmHg
HCO3
12 mmol/L
Hormone Panel
Renin
Low
ADH
Elevated
Aldosterone
Low
Vitamins
Vit D
low
Vit K
low
Vit E
low
Vit A
low
Urine and Stool Sample
Stool color
Gray
Stool content
Increased fat content
Urine color
White
Download the case study questions and assignment details here.
Address each of the following regarding Sarah’s case:
Explain the cause for her low calcium and sodium levels.
Explain the cause of her anemia. What laboratory test should indicate she is suffering from anemia?
Explain the cause of her hypotension. How will her body attempt to establish homeostasis?
What type of acid-base disorder has she developed, and how will her body compensate?
Explain the cause of her elevated ADH and glucose levels.
What is the correlation between her illnesses and the low vitamins (D, K, E, and A), renin, and aldosterone levels?
Which hormone would the body elevate in response to her low calcium levels? Why?
Explain the physiological reason behind her physical findings (yellowish hint of the skin, sclera, multiple bruises, weakness, and edema).
Explain the cause of her abnormal stool and urine sample.
What cell does Glisten work on? Explain how this medication is able to stimulate insulin secretion.
Specifics:
Support your opinions with evidence from your readings and research.
You must reference a minimum of three (3) scholarly sources in your paper, which includes one non-Internet source.
Use current APA Style to format your paper and to cite your sources.
Your paper/total responses must be 3–4 pages in length not including the title page, abstract, and reference pages.
Sample Solution
