Mr. Puffy. This gentleman is 65 years old. He has smokedtwo packs of non-filter cigarettes per day since he was 15 yearsold. His face is ruddy with a nose like WC Fields. His lips andnose are blue and he is breathing through pursed lips, havingtrouble evacuating the air from his lungs. He has a barrel chest.The expiratory area of his respiratory center is fully activated.He sips a small glass of port wine and reminisces about the olddays.
Questions: What is your understanding of Mr. Puffy’srespiratory diagnosis? Is Mr. Puffy at risk for respiratory ormetabolic / alkalosis or acidosis? What is the compensatorymechanism working to rectify his self-inducedcondition?
Young couple with their first baby. This is their firstexcursion out of the house with baby. They’ve been unable to sleepbecause baby is awaking all-night and asleep all day. Baby has beenvomiting for the past 2-3 days, unable to keep down clear liquid orformula. Her mother told them not to worry; “spitting up†isnormal. They're both exhausted and trying to enjoy their firstrestaurant dinner together for months. Baby is in her car seattrying to sleep but appears fidgety.
Questions: Is baby at risk for an acid- base imbalance?If so, is it respiratory or metabolic alkalosis or acidosis? Whatis the compensatory mechanism working to rectify thiscondition?
Aquarius. She's sitting alone at a table drinkingdistilled water hoping to be discovered by a famous movie producer.She has the lead role in a small off-Broadway play. Directors inthe past have often told her that she should drink a lot of waterbefore a performance to help with her voice quality. Heraesthetician recommends 4-5 liters of pure water per day for herskin hydration. Taking this to heart, she has been drinking atleast this much water a day and more. She will only eat protein, nocarbohydrates, and takes laxatives to maintain a slender figure.She's also a novice jogger with great determination, putting in atleast five miles per day. She rehydrates with pure water only. Theonly thing she has had to drink today is distilledwater.
Questions: Is Aquarius at risk for water intoxication,dehydrated, or in fluid balance? What factors are affecting herbody fluid level and which hormones are affected by her lifestyle?Is her fluid volume dropping? If so, which hormones are released tocompensate for this loss? Is Aquarius at risk for respiratory ormetabolic / alkalosis or acidosis? What is the compensatorymechanism working to rectify her self-inducedcondition?
