Case Study 3: Blanche Devereaux is a 78-year-old widow who was brought to the em

Question

Case Study 3:

Blanche Devereaux is a 78-year-old widow who was brought to the emergency room one evening by her sister. Earlier in the day, she had seen bright red blood in her stool. She continued with her daily activities. However, the bleeding continued all day. By dinnertime, she could no longer ignore it. Blanche takes aspirin, as needed, for arthritis, sometimes up to 12 tablets daily. In the emergency room, she was light-headed and her skin was pale and cool to the touch. Her hematocrit was 26% (normal for women, 35%-45%). The ER doctor ordered orthostatic vital signs. Below are the results of the test:

Measurement

Supine

Standing

Blood Pressure

88/60

74/464.

Heart Rate

106 bpm

130 bpm

Q. What was the compensatory mechanism that leads to her heart rate being fast in both positions?

Measurement

Supine

Standing

Blood Pressure

88/60

74/464.

Heart Rate

106 bpm

130 bpm

Explanation / Answer

Compensatory mechanism which was used to restore blood pressure to normal was Baroreceptor reflex. In Baroreceptor reflex the sympathetic outflow to heart and blood vessels increase due to which heart rate increases.

Her heart rate was more elevated in standing position because in standing position the arterial blood pressure was higher than supine position so the Baroreceptor reflex mechanism was stimulated at a much higher rate which caused the increase in heart rate as well as stimulation of blood vessels

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.