Question

I have an urinary case study that I am working on. Patients examination

pulse: 82/min

respiration: 18/min

temp: 37C

BP: 120/85

blood test results:

pH: 7.32

albumin/blood:2.2 g/L

hematocrit: 35.4%

bicarbonate: 14 mEq/L

Urinalysis:

pH: 6.0

specfic gravitiy: 1.036

ketones/gluscose: both negative

proteins: 500mg/dL

color/clarity: yellow, clear

Brief about patient: #0 years old, @ emergency room, shortness of breath, malaise, and nausea. pharyngitis two weeks ago, not throat problems now.

Question:

What is likely causing edema? Include anatomy and physiology in detail

Answer 1

According to the patient's report, his albumin levels are 2.2 g/L

The normal albumin levels should be around 3.4g/L to 5.4 g/L. Less than this leads to edema.

We have protein in many different forms in our blood stream. Proteins in the blood tend to pull water into our blood vessels. When the level of protein in the blood is low, water may leave the blood vessels and collect in the tissues. Water in the tissues is called edema.

Edema fluid travels in a pattern that matches gravity. So the posture can also affect the site of accumulation of fluid in edema.

PHYSIOLOGY OF EDEMA BECAUSE OF LOW ALBUMIN LEVELS :

Colloidal oncotic pressure is the force exerted specifically by albumin in the blood stream. Albumin is the main colloidal protein in the blood stream and is essential for maintaining the colloidal oncotic pressure in the vascular system. Fluid moves from low osmotic pressure to high osmotic pressure, so a higher osmotic pressure in the blood stream means fluids move from ICF to ECF/bloodstream.

Low albumin in the bloodstream causes low oncotic pressure, hydrostatic pressure i.e, pressure exerted by fluid on the vessel wall takes over and pushes water from the ECF to the ICF, resulting in edema.