Textbook Question
Describe the changes that occur in kidney and bladder function in old age.
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Ch. 15 The Urinary System
Marieb13th EditionEssentials of Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780135624340
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 The Human Body: An Orientation23
- Ch. 2 Basic Chemistry22
- Ch. 3 Cells and Tissues20
- Ch. 4 Skin and Body Membranes13
- Ch. 5 The Skeletal System38
- Ch. 6 The Muscular System26
- Ch. 7 The Nervous System26
- Ch. 8 Special Senses12
- Ch. 9 The Endocrine System24
- Ch. 10 Blood22
- Ch. 11 Cardiovascular System29
- Ch. 12 The Lymphatic System and Body Defenses21
- Ch. 13 The Respiratory System7
- Ch. 14 The Digestive System and Body Metabolism13
- Ch. 15 The Urinary System23
- Ch. 16 The Reproductive System15
Marieb13th EditionEssentials of Human Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780135624340Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 15, Problem 26
What happens to the rate of RBC production in a patient on dialysis with total renal failure? What could be given to the patient to counteract such a problem?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of the kidneys in red blood cell (RBC) production: The kidneys produce erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the bone marrow to produce RBCs. In total renal failure, the kidneys lose their ability to produce erythropoietin, leading to decreased RBC production and anemia.
Recognize the impact of dialysis: Dialysis replaces the filtration function of the kidneys but does not restore their ability to produce erythropoietin. Therefore, patients on dialysis with total renal failure often experience chronic anemia due to insufficient erythropoietin production.
Identify the treatment for anemia caused by renal failure: To counteract the lack of erythropoietin, synthetic erythropoietin (e.g., erythropoiesis-stimulating agents like epoetin alfa) can be administered to stimulate RBC production in the bone marrow.
Consider additional supportive measures: Patients may also require iron supplementation, as iron is a critical component of hemoglobin in RBCs. Iron deficiency can further impair RBC production, so ensuring adequate iron levels is essential.
Review Table 9.2 for further details: Table 9.2 likely provides information on erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, their mechanism of action, and their role in managing anemia in patients with renal failure. Use this table to deepen your understanding of the treatment options.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Renal Failure and Erythropoiesis
Renal failure significantly impacts erythropoiesis, the process of red blood cell (RBC) production. The kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone that stimulates RBC production in the bone marrow. In total renal failure, EPO production is severely diminished, leading to decreased RBC production and potentially resulting in anemia.
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Dialysis and Its Effects
Dialysis is a medical treatment that performs the functions of the kidneys, including the removal of waste products and excess fluids from the blood. However, it does not replace the hormonal functions of the kidneys, such as EPO production. As a result, patients on dialysis often experience anemia due to the lack of adequate RBC production.
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Erythropoietin Therapy
Erythropoietin therapy involves administering synthetic EPO to patients with anemia, particularly those with chronic kidney disease or on dialysis. This treatment stimulates the bone marrow to increase RBC production, helping to counteract anemia and improve the patient's overall health and energy levels.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Mr. Jessup, a 55-year-old man, is operated on for a cerebral tumor. About one month later, he complains that he is excessively thirsty and that he has been voiding almost continuously. A urine sample is collected, and its specific gravity is 1.001. What is your diagnosis of Mr. Jessup's problem, and how might it be related to his previous surgery?
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Textbook Question
Contrast the following homeostatic imbalances: oliguria, anuria, polyuria, and nocturia.
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Textbook Question
Raymond is hypertensive and was recently diagnosed with impaired kidney function based on urinalysis and a blood test for creatinine. What sorts of test results would you expect, and how is hypertension related to kidney function?
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Textbook Question
Two physiology students are having a disagreement about renal function. Dan says that the kidneys work harder when you eat a high-salt diet, whereas Peter says that they work harder when you drink lots of water. Who is right, and why?
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Textbook Question
A 55-year-old woman is awakened by an excruciating pain that radiates from her right abdomen to her flank on the same side. The pain is not continuous, but it recurs every 3 to 4 minutes. Diagnose this patient's problem, and cite factors that might favor its occurrence. Explain why this woman's pain comes in 'waves.'
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