Textbook Question
What happens to the rate of RBC production in a patient on dialysis with total renal failure? What could be given to the patient to counteract such a problem?
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Ch. 15 The Urinary System
Marieb13th EditionEssentials of Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780135624340
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation23
- Ch. 2 Basic Chemistry22
- Ch. 3 Cells and Tissues20
- Ch. 4 Skin and Body Membranes13
- Ch. 5 The Skeletal System38
- Ch. 6 The Muscular System26
- Ch. 7 The Nervous System26
- Ch. 8 Special Senses12
- Ch. 9 The Endocrine System24
- Ch. 10 Blood22
- Ch. 11 Cardiovascular System29
- Ch. 12 The Lymphatic System and Body Defenses21
- Ch. 13 The Respiratory System7
- Ch. 14 The Digestive System and Body Metabolism13
- Ch. 15 The Urinary System23
- Ch. 16 The Reproductive System15
Marieb13th EditionEssentials of Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780135624340Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 28
Mr. Jessup, a 55-year-old man, is operated on for a cerebral tumor. About one month later, he complains that he is excessively thirsty and that he has been voiding almost continuously. A urine sample is collected, and its specific gravity is 1.001. What is your diagnosis of Mr. Jessup's problem, and how might it be related to his previous surgery?
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Begin by analyzing the symptoms presented by Mr. Jessup. Excessive thirst (polydipsia) and frequent urination (polyuria) are hallmark signs of a condition affecting water balance in the body. These symptoms suggest a possible issue with the regulation of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Step 2: Evaluate the urine sample's specific gravity. A specific gravity of 1.001 indicates very dilute urine, which is consistent with the inability of the kidneys to concentrate urine. This further supports the hypothesis of impaired ADH function.
Step 3: Consider the connection between Mr. Jessup's recent cerebral tumor surgery and his current symptoms. The hypothalamus and posterior pituitary gland, which are responsible for producing and releasing ADH, may have been affected during the surgery. Damage to these areas can lead to a condition called diabetes insipidus.
Step 4: Understand the mechanism of diabetes insipidus. In this condition, either the production of ADH is reduced (central diabetes insipidus) or the kidneys fail to respond to ADH (nephrogenic diabetes insipidus). Given the surgical history, central diabetes insipidus is more likely.
Step 5: Recommend further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis. These may include measuring blood and urine osmolality, conducting a water deprivation test, and assessing ADH levels. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying cause and administering desmopressin, a synthetic form of ADH, if central diabetes insipidus is confirmed.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Insipidus (DI) is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and the excretion of large volumes of dilute urine. It occurs due to a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which regulates water balance in the body. In Mr. Jessup's case, the symptoms of excessive thirst and low urine specific gravity suggest that he may be experiencing DI, potentially as a complication following his cerebral surgery.
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Cerebral Surgery Complications
Cerebral surgery can lead to various complications, including damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, which are crucial for hormone regulation. If the surgery affected areas responsible for ADH production or release, it could result in DI. Understanding the relationship between the surgical site and hormonal control is essential for diagnosing Mr. Jessup's condition.
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Urine Specific Gravity
Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in urine, indicating the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. A normal specific gravity ranges from 1.005 to 1.030. Mr. Jessup's urine specific gravity of 1.001 indicates very dilute urine, which aligns with the symptoms of DI and suggests that his kidneys are not reabsorbing water effectively, further supporting the diagnosis.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Raymond is hypertensive and was recently diagnosed with impaired kidney function based on urinalysis and a blood test for creatinine. What sorts of test results would you expect, and how is hypertension related to kidney function?
Textbook Question
Two physiology students are having a disagreement about renal function. Dan says that the kidneys work harder when you eat a high-salt diet, whereas Peter says that they work harder when you drink lots of water. Who is right, and why?
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Textbook Question
A 55-year-old woman is awakened by an excruciating pain that radiates from her right abdomen to her flank on the same side. The pain is not continuous, but it recurs every 3 to 4 minutes. Diagnose this patient's problem, and cite factors that might favor its occurrence. Explain why this woman's pain comes in 'waves.'