Assignment Instructions
Choose one multisystem dysfunction. Describe pathophysiological changes, abnormal findings, and symptoms of the chosen dysfunction. How does it affect the patient's activities of daily living?
Sample Answer
Choose one multisystem dysfunction.
One of the multisystem dysfunction is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). CKD affects the ability of the kidneys to filter excess fluids and waste from the blood. It is usually a progressive condition that eventually leads to kidney failure.
Describe pathophysiological changes, abnormal findings, and symptoms of the chosen dysfunction. How does it affect the patient's activities of daily living?
CKD is characterized by declined kidney function due to the damage of nephrons. Nephrons are tiny structures in the kidneys that filter the blood. Damage to nephrons is due to conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and recurrent kidney infection. The pathological changes associated with CKD include tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis that result in tubular atrophy, hypoxia, microvascular capillaries, and loss of normal renal architecture (Agarwal & Nath, 2020). These changes are what lead to loss of renal filtration capacity and end-stage renal disease.
Some of the abnormal findings of CKD are increased levels of creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen indicating impaired functioning of the kidneys. CKD leads to proteinuria; excess accumulation of proteins in the urine and hematuria; in blood urine which is an indication of damage to the filtering system of the kidneys. The symptoms of CKD develop if the damage to the kidneys slowly progresses. Reduction of the kidney function results in the symptoms of vomiting, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, frequent of less urination, sleeping problems, swelling on the ankles and feet, muscle cramps, decreased mental sharpness, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, itchy and dry skin, and chest pain (Mayo Clinic Staff, n.d.).
CKD affects the patient's activities of daily living in several ways. The weakness and fatigue associated with CKD make the patients unable to engage in physical activities and activities of daily living. Nausea and loss of appetite lead to malnutrition and loss of weight and this can result in to declined body image and social interactions with other people. Additionally, swelling on the ankles and feet limits the ability of the patient to stand for a long time or walk.
References
Agarwal, A., & Nath, K. A. (2020). Pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease progression: organ and cellular considerations. In Chronic Renal Disease (pp. 263-278). Academic Press. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128158760000188
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Chronic kidney disease. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354521#:~:text=And%20as%20kidney%20disease%20progresses,too%20much%20or%20too%20little