Ellen, a 47-year-old woman who has suffered kidney disease for several years, has been diagnosed with proteinuria. Her legs and feet are so swollen that she has difficulty walking. Her hands and her left arm are also swollen. What is proteinuria, and could this condition be playing a role in her swollen limbs?
What will be an ideal response?
Proteinuria is a condition in which the permeability of the glomerular capillaries is increased to such an extent that large amounts of plasma proteins (mostly albumin) pass into the glomerular filtrate and are excreted in the urine. If the condition is severe, the loss of plasma proteins may decrease osmotic pressure substantially. When this happens there is a tendency for fluid to leave the systemic blood vessels and enter the tissue space. This is the reason for Ellen's swollen limbs.
You might also like to view...
Which is the best definition of the term ligand?
A. Any molecule found in the intracellular fluid B. A molecule or ion that binds to a protein C. Any molecule found in the extracellular fluid D. A receptor composed of protein E. A carbohydrate molecule that binds weakly to membrane phospholipids
What function is served by the increased axon diameter at the nodes of Ranvier?
What will be an ideal response?
The right ventricle ________.
A) has thinner muscular walls than does the left ventricle B) receives blood from the left atrium through the tricuspid valve C) pumps blood out of the heart to the systemic circuit D) pumps blood out of the heart through the aortic semilunar valve E) is connected to the pulmonary veins
What condition occurs if there is decreased kidney elimination of hydrogen ions or increased production of acidic substances through metabolism?
A. Metabolic acidosis B. Metabolic alkalosis C. Respiratory acidosis D. Respiratory alkalosis