Question

1. Explain four functions of water in the body.

2. What type of patients are considered more susceptible to fluid overload problems?

3. A patient with inflammation of the cecum is at risk for fluid volume deficit. Explain why this is so.

4. Which two electrolytes play a role in muscle contraction and relaxation?

5. How do the lungs help maintain normal pH?

6. Explain at least two causes of metabolic acidosis and two causes of metabolic alkalosis.

1. Explain four functions of water in the body.

2. What type of patients are considered more susceptible to fluid overload problems?

3. A patient with inflammation of the cecum is at risk for fluid volume deficit. Explain why this is so.

4. Which two electrolytes play a role in muscle contraction and relaxation?

5. How do the lungs help maintain normal pH?

6. Explain at least two causes of metabolic acidosis and two causes of metabolic alkalosis.

Answer 1

Answer to Question No.1

Water plays an essential role in maintain the body functions and keeping the body healthy. Almost all of our body organs depend on water to survive and function efficiently.

1. Regulates body temperature:

Water holds the capacity to regulate the internal temperature of the body.

The balance between the internal body temperature and the external environmental temperature is normalized by perspiration or sweating. Sweat prevents the body from overheating. The evaporation of sweat helps in loss of calories in the form of heat and thereby maintaining the internal body temperature. Hence it is necessary to sweat as well as allow the evaporation of sweat. Always remember to keep yourself hydrated.

2. Protects tissues and lubricates joints:

Water helps to keep our tissues moist and well protected. Nose, eyes, mouth can be kept hydrated with adequate intake of water in order to prevent from drying of these organs.

Knee joints, ankles and elbows are lubricated and cushioned by water. It also keeps our spinal cord protected.

3. Aids in digestion:

Digestion process begins by the chewing of food in the mouth which involves saliva. The basis of saliva is water that helps to soften the food and swallow. Water plays an important role in our metabolic processes. Water molecules are a part of the biochemical breakdown of complex food such as lipid, carbohydrates and proteins into smaller and absorbable units by a process call hydrolysis. Thereby helps in digestion of these molecules and helps to from soft stools for easy excretion.

4. Waste removal:

The process of excretion of wastes and toxins from the body through urination and defecation involves water. The liver, kidneys and intestines require adequate water to flush out the toxins. Drinking sufficient water helps to soften the stools thereby preventing constipation.

Answer to Question No.2

Patients with the following health conditions are considered more susceptible to fluid overdose

1. Kidney disorders: The kidneys are involved in the excretion of fluid, wastes and toxins from the body. The kidneys help in regulation of electrolytes such as sodium and chloride In people with kidney disease, the body cannot get rid of these fluid and hence are at a risk of fluid overdose

2. Cirrhosis of the liver: When the liver cannot store and process nutrients and filter toxins it leads to fluid retention. Fluid accumulation in the abdomen is one of the complications of liver cirrhosis.

3. Congestive Heart failure: The kidneys are affected when the heart cannot pump sufficient blood leading to excess fluid in the body.

4. IV Fluids: During and after surgery, the body retains a large amount of fluids leading to swelling of the body.

Answer to Question No. 3

Fluid deficit or hypovolemia is a condition where the fluid output is more than the fluid intake.

Cecum, is the first region of the large intestine which receives undigested food material from the small intestine. The main function of the cecum is to absorb salts and fluids that remain after the intestinal digestion.

Inflammation of the cecum is known as Typhlitis. It is a severe condition that affects people with low or weakened immune system. It is caused due to the damage of lining of the intestine. The damage in the intestines leads to imbalance in electrolytes and acid base leading to diarrhea, excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting. This causes excessive loss of fluid from the body leading to hypovolemia.

Answer to Question No.4

Calcium and Magnesium help to trigger the muscle contraction.

Calcium allows the muscle fiber to slide and move over each other as the muscle shortens and contracts.

Magnesium helps the muscle fiber to slide outward and helps in relaxation.