A backpacker weighs 220 pounds. Assume his blood weight is about 7% of his body

Question

A backpacker weighs 220 pounds. Assume his blood weight is about 7% of his body weight. His hematocrit at rest is 40%, and his total plasma proteins 6 g%. After hiking on a hot day, the backpacker loses a net 4 L of body fluid by sweating and drinking, where the drinking is insufficient to match his sweating. Assume that the plasma makes up 8% of his total body water and that the fluid lost from each compartment is in proportion to the size of each fluid compartment. (A) Assuming no loss of blood, what is his hematocrit after his hot hike? (B) What is his total plasma protein concentration after hiking? (C) What affect would these changes have on his blood viscosity? (D) Describe how the body reacts to losing water due to sweat, and to taking too much water from meal. In general, how water balance is reached?

Explanation / Answer

a) The hematocrit test is done to see blood level in body which includes RBC and WBCs but here hematocrit is at 40% and after hiking on hot there is fluid loss so the plasma portion which is made up of water will shrink leading to increased hematocrit to fill the gap created by water loss.

b) Plasma protein concentration with loss of water as majority of proteins are made of water they shrink in size and concentration.

c) Loss of water will cause blood to be more thicker and hard to move through blood vessels and viscosity of blood increases

d) In case of water loss due to excess sweating can lead to dehydration to avoid these body regulates variety of functions to maintain water in body osmoreceptors are activated which creates thirst sensation making more water intake, kidney are regulated and stimulate aldosterone hormone which causes more absorption of water and sodium from nephron.Anti diuretic hormone also causes more wage reabsorption from ducts and tubules of kidneys.

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