Five members of the LaGuardia family have come to the emergency department compl

ID: 245929 • Letter: F

Question

Five members of the LaGuardia family have come to the emergency
department complaining of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea related to
severe gastroenteritis, a viral intestinal disorder. The family members
include

8-month-old Jason, grandson of Jackson
26-year-old Susanna, Jackson’s daughter and Jason’s mother
60-year-old Jackson
58-year-old Gemma, Jackson’s wife
82-year-old Martha, Jackson’s mother

Based on the information you have learned about the major
electrolytes of the body, which electrolytes are most likely to be out of
balance in members of the LaGuardia family? Explain your answer.

Explanation / Answer

Gastroenteritis is often referred to as the stomach flu and it is a nonspecific term for various inflammatory problems in the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptoms are abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.

At first adequate amount of fluids intake was recommended for all the family members to prevent high dehydration. Clear fluids are recommended (especially for young children and old people), but not fruit juices or milk as they may prolong the symptoms.

Electrolytes importance:

Our cells (especially nerve, heart, muscle) use to maintain voltages across their cell membranes and to carry electrical impulses (nerve impulses, muscle contractions) across themselves and to other cells. For this mechanism the body need electrolytes.

The major electrolytes are as follows:
sodium (Na+)
potassium (K+)
chloride (Cl-)
calcium (Ca2+)
magnesium (Mg2+)
bicarbonate (HCO3-)
phosphate (PO42-)
sulfate (SO42-)

Based on the above sodium, chloride and potasium electrolytes are most likely to be out of balance in members of the LaGuardia family.

Major electrolyte

Major function in human body

Deficiency symptoms

Symptoms of excess

Sodium (Na+)

Plays major role in nerve signaling, Control amount of water in the body

Fatigue, confusion, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting

Excessive thirst, seizures, muscle twitching

Potassium (K+)

Regulates heart beat, muscle function, kidneys

Muscle spasms, fatigue, constipation

dehydration

Palpitation, chest pain, breathing problems, nausea or vomiting

Chloride (Cl-)

It is important in regulating body's acid base balance and in generating osmotic pressure of body fluids

Dehydration, dry skin, high levels of sodium in body

Rapid breathing, cerebral edema, dyspnea

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