Question

Part A - Alterations of the Digestive System

Discuss the changes to electrolyte values in a patient experiencing early stages of vomiting and diarrhea.

Part B - Alterations of the Renal System

A patient is complaining of urinary urgency and frequency. The healthcare provider orders a urinalysis with a culture and sensitivity. Explain why the culture and sensitivity would be important for a urinalysis with bacteriuria.

Answer 1

Part A- Electrolytes are present in the human body, and the balance of the electrolytes in our bodies is essential for normal function of our cells and our organs.

The conditions like vomiting and diarrhoea leads to excess loss of water and electrolytes from the body. The will be changes in electrolytes values. The electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, pottassium and bicarbonate will decrease during vomiting and diarrhoea. The patient may exist with hyponatremia( decrease sodium level <136mEq/L),hypochloremia ( decrease chloride level < 97mEq/L), metabolic acidosis ( due to loss of bicarbonate), and pottassium depletion (<3.5 mEq/L).

Part B- the urine culture is a test that detects and identifies bacteria and yeast in the urine. This test will reveal which bacteria or yeast is present in urine by noticing the size,shape and colour of bacterial colonies.

A sensitivity test checks to see what kind of medicine, such as an antibiotic will work best to treat the illness or infection.so these both tests are needed to diagnose urinary problems.