Impacts of Dehydration on the Body

Impacts of Dehydration on the Body Helen McHugh Why is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance a danger? Dehydration is described as ‘an excessive loss of water from body tissues’ (Mosby Elsevier, 2009) and it also affects an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. It can be very dangerous and even fatal as most of the physiological systems in the body are dependent on water levels and the changes in concentrations of the electrolytes will disturb almost every vital function of the body. (Martini Nath, 2009) How have the functions of the skin been impaired? The body’s first line of defence has been breached, allowing pathogens and bacteria to penetrate the body as well as impairing its ability to regulate temperature, synthesis Vitamin D and loss of some senses i.e. touch, pressure. How will the body try and repair the areas that have been burnt? This will happen in three stages, Inflammation, Reconstruction and Maturation. Inflammation – this stage takes approximately 3 days and happens immediately the wound occurs. The inflammation causes an increased blood flow to surrounding tissues which produces erythema, swelling, heat and discomfort. As a defence response, different types of white blood cells called polymorphonuclear leucocytes arrive at the wound and are involved in the immune response to fight infection. Reconstruction This stage can take from between 2 – 24 days and is a time of cleaning and temporary replacement of tissue. Polymorphs kill the bacteria and phagocytic macrophages digest the dead bacteria and clean the wound. Epidermal cells start to activate, new blood capillaries are developed and granulation tissue is laid down. Epithelial cells move over the granulation from the edges of the wound. When the wound is covered the epithelium thickens to 4-5 layers, forming the epidermis. The wound would then start to contract reducing in size. Maturation – This stage can take between 24 days to 1 year. This is the remodeling stage where collagen cells are reorganized and strengthened. The wound is still at risk during this stage and protection is necessary. (Koutoukidis, et al., 2013) What could impede the body from successfully achieving this? Think of internal and external factors when you answer this. Intrinsic- (Internal) Health Status – Illnesses/Conditions/Diseases can affect healing, i.e. anaemia, immune disorders, cancer, diabetes. Age – Older people take longer to heal due to slower metabolism, thinner skin and less elasticity of skin. Bodybuild – Both Obese and Thin people can have various issues related to healing Lifestyle factors – Smoking, Alcohol can have contraindications to healing Nutritional status Extrinsic (External) Mechanical stress Debris – scabs, necrotic tissue, and excess slough can all impair epithelial migration and supply of nutrient. Also prolongs inflammatory stage. Temperature – Extremes can cause tissue damage Desiccation or maceration – Both dryness and excess moisture can slow healing Infection – Bacteria slows wound healing Chemical stress (Lumsden, 2014) Mary undergoes debridement of the burns. What does this mean? Debridement is the first step in cleansing. It is to remove dirt, foreign objects, damaged tissue and cellular debris from wound/burn which promotes healing and helps prevent infection. (Mosby Elsevier, 2009) The burns were subsequently grafted with a split skin graft. What layers of the skin are used for this graft? A split thickness skin graft is a tissue transplant using both the epidermis and part of the dermis layer. (Mosby Elsevier, 2009) 3.1 Admission Form Acute Pain Observation Chart Observation chart Fluid Balance Chart Medication Chart Neurovascular Chart Intravenous Drug Chart Care Plan Progress Notes 4.2 Define Hypertension and Arteriosclerosis Hypertension – Elevated blood pressure consistently over 140/90 Arteriosclerosis A thickening/ calcification of arterial walls and loss of elasticity in arterial walls. The result of this is reduced blood supply. (Mosby Elsevier, 2009) How are they often related? High blood pressure (hypertension) can cause a build up of the muscular and elastic tissues of the arterial walls – hypertensive arteriosclerosis (Mosby Elsevier, 2009) Why is hypertension called the ‘Silent killer’ Hypertension is called the silent killer because it can often be asymptomatic, i.e. no symptoms are apparent. There is no single cause but there are possible risk factors. (Mosby Elsevier, 2009) Name three changes in your lifestyle that may help prevent cardiovascular disease in old age. Do not smoke, Eat healthy and exercise more. Undesirable clot formation can occur as a result of endothelial damage due to arteriosclerosis. How does the body form undesirable clots within intact blood vessels? If the endothelium of a blood vessel is rough it can encourage clinging of platelets which can be a risk factor for blood clotting (Thrombus) The legs are particularly prone to the formation of blood clots and can be caused by blood pooling in the legs or slowly flowing blood especially in immobilized patients. (Marieb, 2003) 5.2 At handover you are told a patient is cyanotic. What would you expect to observe? Define tissue hypoxia. Three conditions where this could occur. Cyanosis presents as a bluish discolouration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by not enough oxygen in the blood and excess of deoxygenated blood. I would expect to see a bluish colour on the skin of the patient, possibly on lips, nailbeds, tip of the nose, external ear and underside of the tongue. Three conditions where this could occur are Asthma Emphysema Heart failure 5.3 Describe the difference between tracheostomy and endotracheal intubation. An endotracheal intubation is a flexible cuffed tube inserted via the mouth or nostril through the larynx into the trachea, whereas a tracheostomy is a surgical creation of an external opening into the trachea. (Koutoukidis, et al., 2013) 5.4 Why will a patient who is anaemic complain of shortness of breath? Being anaemic means that you do not have enough red blood cells in your body. The red bolos cells carry oxygen around the body and remove carbon dioxide. Fewer less red blood cells equals less oxygen which equals shortness of breath. (Koutoukidis, et al., 2013) 5.5. What type of allergic reaction is suspected? Anaphylaxis is suspected. This condition may be fatal. Why has this caused problems with his breathing? The upper respiratory tract is often involved with nasal congestion or sneezing and tightness in the throat may occur with significant airway obstruction. The patient can have bronchospasm or upper airway swelling (S Shahzad Mustafa, 2013) 6.1 Sever appendicitis, what would be result if left untreated? The appendix can perforate spilling the contents into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis. (Koutoukidis, et al., 2013) 6.2 Why does a lack of fibre in the diet encourage the formation of diverticula? Faeces usually move along the large bowel with gentle peristalsis; however when there is insufficient fibre in the diet the faeces may become dry and is more difficult to move along with peristalsis. The intestinal muscles then have to perform strong contractions and generate high pressure. This high pressure may cause bulging pouches in the intestinal mucosa and these are called diverticula. (Murtagh, 1995) 6.3 Explain why obstruction in the common bile duct causes interference with the digestion of some foods? An Obstruction would prevent bile from entering the small intestine. The bile is needed to aid digestion and is needed to breakdown large fat globules into small ones. When the food is not digesting properly bile can back up into the gallbladder. It then becomes concentrated by removal of water and the cholesterol it contains may crystallize and form gallstones. Blockage of the common bile duct can also stop bile entering the small intestine and backing up into the liver and bile salts and bile pigments will begin to enter the bloodstream and as this circulates through the body the tissues will become yellow or jaundiced. (Marieb, 2003) 6.4 What nursing observations of their skin, faeces and urine would support the diagnosis of an obstructed bile duct? Where would these observations be recorded? Bilirubin levels will increase in the blood and this can cause yellow, jaundiced skin, dark urine and pale coloured faeces. Itching of the skin may also occur. Recorded in progress notes, fluid balance and bowel chart and observation chart, care plan and urinalysis. (Marieb, 2003) 8.2 Adrenaline affects the sympathetic nervous system. Explain the effect on blood pressure, heart beat, breathing and the liver. Blood Vessels – Constricts blood vessels In viscera and skin, increases blood pressure Heart – Increases rate and force Liver – Causes glucose to be released to blood. All of these effects are part of the fight or flight response. The body alters its normal state to one of optimum performance in order for us to take flight (run faster) the heart beat starts to pound, our breathing gets deeper, driving oxygen around the body and glucose is released into the blood stream to give us energy. (Marieb, 2003) 9.1 Explain why someone who is haemorrhaging, i.e. has falling systemic blood pressure/volume will have a decreased urine output. When there is significant blood loss the blood pressure falls and the blood pressure in the renal artery will also fall. The body tries to raise the blood pressure by preventing further water and electrolyte loss. To do this the kidney secretes the hormone ‘renin’ which stimulates other hormones to cause vasoconstriction (Marieb, 2003) References: Koutoukidis, G., Stainton, K. Hughson, J., 2013. Tabbners nursing Care Theory and Practice. 6th ed. NSW: Elsevier. Lumsden, S., 2014. Wound Management Class Notes. Adelaide: s.n. Marieb, E., 2003. Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology. 7th ed. San Francisco: Pearson Education Ltd. Martini, F. Nath, J. L., 2009. Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology. 8th ed. San Francisco: Pearson Education Inc. Mosby Elsevier, 2009. Mosbys Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions. 8th ed. s.l.:Mosby. Murtagh, J., 1995. Diverticular Disease. [Online] Available at: http://www.nevdgp.org.au/info/murtagh/general/Diverticulardisease.htm [Accessed 25th February 2014]. S Shahzad Mustafa, M., 2013. Anaphylaxis Clinical Presentation. [Online] Available at: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/135065-clinical [Accessed 25th February 2014]. 1

Ethnic and Racial Group overview Essay

While I have always believed myself to be reasonably educated about racial diversity, and non-prejudice against those who come from different ethnic backgrounds than my own, this course has taught me that there is much more to the history and reality of Americas struggle to overcome the all too real problem that is prejudice and discrimination. I have learned much about my own background and history that I was not previously aware of as well. The history of Prejudice and discrimination in America dates as far back as to the days of slavery. While to most this is a well-known fact, there are a few facts about my own ethnic history that were not well-known to me until I participated in this course. The fact that stands out the most is that German immigrants (such as my own grandparents) suffered a reality of segregation in schools and language barriers, not unlike that of today’s Mexican Americans. German Americans struggled to establish bi-lingual schools because they were a growing population in America, and the need was apparent. Knowing this opens up a whole new perspective of my understanding of just how equal we all really are. Because trends in immigration have grown steadily and will continue to grow well into the future, by the year 2050, the U. S. population will experience a culture of diversity so elaborate, and so completely wide spread; resulting in America having no choice but to unite, or suffer from mass self-destruction of the worst kind. The challenges of such a diverse America will be apparent in many ways, and there will be some of the same issues of discrimination and prejudice that have always been. With all of the different cultures coming together, there will be inevitable language barriers, which will result in a continued issue of segregation among children, and the added challenge of providing them with equal educational opportunities. In the same way that children have to face the challenges of diversity, so do the adults who will face discrimination and possible insufficient opportunity to move forward based on their race. On the other hand, when faced with such diversity, America as a whole will be forced to accept change, and perhaps finally overcome the issues that it has been faced with for so long. The opportunity will rise, with the variety of diversity, to become educated about those who are around us. Because there will be nothing else to do but find a way to work together, or to fail as nation, I think that the way that we all see one another is going to change significantly. The idea that others are inferior in any way to any other individual will begin to fade, because with so much diversity all around, there will not be a majority, nor a minority. Perhaps equality in racial group numbers will finally be the key to unlock the door to a prejudice-free America.

America Is Racist ! When I Say My America - 980 Words

My America is racist! When I say â€Å"my America† I mean through my eyes as an African American female, America is racist. As a young child I knew that racism existed but not to the extent that I understand now. I would get made fun of for being â€Å"extremely black† in elementary school despite it being a majority black school. As I grew older the name calling didn t stop, I would find people of different races, including my own commenting in shock and surprise about how dark I am. â€Å"Damn she s dark† one black classmate would snicker as I walked down the hallway. It never bothered me, I embraced my skin and its shade because I knew I was more than a color. But in America something as minor as your skin tone is one of the most defining factors in who you are or how you re expected to be, shade dominates how others view you. Despite the fact that I ve grown older and I ve surrounded myself with more â€Å"mature† individuals, I still found problems with ignorant opinions and remarks about my skin tone. I ve been in a relationship with a Pakistan male for about a year. We’re young and in love but our racial and cultural differences are constant challenges that we face together as a couple. In Khubaib’s culture the fairer your skin the more beautiful you are and therefore you’re more socially acceptable. One night Khubaib’s father was on the phone, jokingly he talked about the possibility of his son having a secret girlfriend to a family friend. They talked about what race she couldShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Essay On Racism1317 Words   |  6 Pages Is America Racist? As a privileged white female in the United States, I don’t personally deal with any racism. But millions of Americans are impacted by racism on a daily basis. They are exposed to ignorant slurs and racial violence constantly. 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Othello Torn Between Love And Trust - 1992 Words

Othello: Torn Between Love and Trust William Shakespeare examines Othello’s character, to illustrate how too much of something is not good for the human soul. Othello is very confident, honest and trusting. Nevertheless, these very same qualities tear him apart. Othello changes from the person he was at the beginning of the play and into a monstrous person by the end of the play. The driving force behind Othello’s barbaric behavior is due to the unconditional love he has for Desdemona. Othello and Desdemona’s love for each other is so strong and so pure that neither one of them held each other capable of doing any wrong. Firstly, one should consider the fact that Othello is simply misunderstood by many people: both readers and†¦show more content†¦Othello is only jealous that Desdemona might have done something he would have never expected her to do which was being unfaithful. Samuel Taylor Coleridge on the other hand, is more likely to agree that Othello was not driven by jealousy. Coleridge states, â€Å"Othello’s belief is not caused by jealousy; it is forced upon him by Iago, and is such as any man would and must feel who had believed in Iago as Othello did† (151). Agreeably, Igao pushes Othello to feel jealous and Othello ends up feeling jealous that his wife may be with another man. But again, Othello’s jealousy is neither sexual jealousy, nor the force behind his actions. At the beginning, Othello is a very confident man, too confident that he may appear to some readers as naà ¯ve. Othello believes that he is a great solider. He also knows that everyone generally respects him highly. He has so much confidence in himself, that he believes no one would want to hurt him. He also believes that no one has any problems with him. He even thinks that he is unlikely to have problems with anyone. Shakespeare provides various examples that reflect Othello’s confidence. One instance would be when Desdemona’s father Brabantio was furious at hearing that his daughter married Othello. When Iago told Othello to hide from Brabantio who was looking for him, Othello said no. Othello said â€Å"Not I; I must be