Question

Kawika was slightly overweight, and his cholesterol level was high enough that he was on medication to help lower it. Because he was trying to lose weight, Kawika had increased his exercise regime, which led to painful muscles most evenings. To alleviate the muscle aches he was feeling, Kawika began taking a few ibuprofen daily. Much to his surprise, instead of getting stronger Kawika felt progressively weaker and more tired. He was short of breath and felt “ballooned” most mornings. His hands and feet seemed to swell overnight, causing him discomfort as he began his day. As these odd symptoms continued, Kawika's heartbeat became irregular, and he began to experience mental confusion. Alarmed by these developments, Kawika visited his physician. Blood work indicated that he had high levels of potassium, low bicarbonate levels, and a decrease in red blood cells. Waste products were building up in his blood, and his BUN and creatinine levels indicated serious trouble.

For help with Kawika's diagnosis and treatment, visit Medicinenet.com and search for kidney failure.

What would the following test results of an urinalysis indicate:

1a. Patient has cloudy urine, with above normal specific gravity, a high white blood cell count, and many transitional epithelial cells.

1b. Patient's urine has the presences of proteins, casts and hemoglobin.

1c. Patient's urine has the presence of glucose and ketones (a by-product of the digestion of fatty acids and proteins).

1d. Patient's urine is pale yellow color, has a pH of 6.3, a specific gravity of 1.015, no red blood cells and no proteins.

2a. Caffeine and alcohol both block the secretion of ADH from the posterior pituitary gland. Explain what this does to fluid balance.

2b. Does it make sense to drink caffeine before an athletic event? Explain why a cold beer might not be such a great idea on a hot afternoon.

Answer 1

2a. As ADH release will be blocked, water absorption by the renal tubules will be inhibited and as a result more water will be lost from the body as urine, decreasing the water level of the body.

2b. for the same reason stated above, coffee before athletic even and a cold beer in hot afternoon will cause dehydration due to block of ADH release and water loss where in both even water conservation or reabsoption by the body is necessary.