Health Assistance: Diabetes, Cardiovascular System, Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Immune System

This article covers topics such as diabetes, cardiovascular system, fluid and electrolyte balance, and immune system. It also discusses how different body systems work together to maintain homeostasis.

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HEALTH ASSISTANCE
by [NAME]
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Health Assistance
Part A
Question 1
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body of an individual metabolizes glucose
which is the body’s main source of energy. The body of a diabetic patient cannot maintain a
healthy level of glucose in the blood. This condition affects several systems of the body, mainly
the nervous system and the cardiovascular system.
Question 2
Elevated levels of blood sugars can damage the walls of the capillaries that nourish the nerves
causing a condition known as neuropathy that is characterized by numbness and tingling,
especially in hands and feet. Eventually, a poorly controlled level of blood glucose leads to a
complete loss of the sense of feeling in the affected limb. Additionally, excess sugars increase
the level of fats in the blood leading to fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels thus causing
complications in the cardiovascular system such as heart attack, coronary heart diseases,
atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure1.
Question 3
The nervous system and the cardiovascular system work in coordination to ensure the
appropriate functioning of the body. They two systems are connected through the organ and
bodily function control. The main organs of the cardiovascular system are blood vessels and the
heart. The heart pumps blood through the blood vessels carrying oxygen and other nutrients to
1 V. Spallone et al., "Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in diabetes: clinical impact, assessment, diagnosis, and
management", in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, vol. 27, 2011, page 645.

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several body parts. The nervous system, on the other hand, is made up of the brain, the spinal
cord, sensory nerves, and the sense organs. The brain through the nervous system sends a signal
to the cardiovascular system to initiate the pumping of blood. The nervous system thus triggers
the functions of the heart. The cardiovascular system conversely nourishes the nervous system
with oxygen and nutrients while eliminating metabolic wastes.
Part D
Question 2
The client most likely to benefit from passive and active exercises is Valerie. From her file, it is
indicated that she has dementia. Additionally, an assessment reveals that she has an unsteady
gait. It is also important to note that her dementia could lead to paresis. These conditions make
the application of active and passive exercises appropriate for Mrs. Valerie.
Question 3
The temperature of the body is regulated by several body systems chiefly the nervous system, the
muscular system, the cardiovascular system and the sweat glands. When the temperature of the
body is above the normal range, the nervous system sends signals to the cardiovascular system
especially the blood vessels that undergo vasodilation to supply more blood close to the skin
surface to enhance heat loss2. Additionally, a message is sent to the sweat glands from the
nervous system to open the sweat pores which results in sweating that helps to cool the body.
The brain also controls the process of heat making in the muscles. Conversely, when the body
temperature falls below the normal range, the nervous system sends a signal to the muscular
2 M McKinley & M Mathai, "Interdependent Preoptic Osmoregulatory and Thermoregulatory Mechanisms
Influencing Body Fluid Balance and Heat Defense"

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system to increase the activities of the muscles thus initiating shivering3. Additionally, the blood
vessels are incited to undergo vasoconstriction thus less blood is carried to the surface to
minimize heat loss.
Question 4
The cardiovascular system, the endocrine system, the urinary system, and the nervous system
work in coordination to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. When the amount of
fluids in the body falls below the normal range, osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus detect this
change and stimulate the production of the anti-diuretic hormone that is transported to the
pituitary glands through the nerves. The hormone is then released into the bloodstream and is
transported to the kidney4. As a result, more water is reabsorbed into the leading to a release of
very little but concentrated urine. Conversely, when the level of fluid rises above the normal
range, signals are sent to the hypothalamus to inhibit the release of ADH hormone thus leading
to the production of large quantities of dilute urine. In the case of the electrolytes, when the level
of blood sodium falls below the normal range, the osmoreceptor cells in the brain detect this
change and stimulate the adrenal glands to secrete aldosterone hormone that is transported to the
kidney through the blood vessels thus enhancing the reabsorption of sodium into the blood5.
When the level of electrolyte is high, on the other hand, the adrenal glands are inhibited from
releasing aldosterone hormone thus limiting the reabsorption of sodium back into the blood.
Question 5
3 McKinley & Mathai, "Interdependent Preoptic Osmoregulatory and Thermoregulatory Mechanisms Influencing
Body Fluid Balance and Heat Defense"
4 McKinley & Mathai, "Interdependent Preoptic Osmoregulatory and Thermoregulatory Mechanisms Influencing
Body Fluid Balance and Heat Defense"
5 D Kohan et al., "Regulation of Blood Pressure and Salt Homeostasis by Endothelin", in Physiological Reviews,
vol. 91, 2011, p. 30.

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The two main organs that work in coordination to aid in regulating the acid-base balance in the
body are the lungs and kidneys. When the levels of acidity in the blood increases, the
cardiovascular system transports blood to the lungs where carbon (IV) oxide is released through
respiration thus raising the pH towards a normal value. The brain monitors the rate and depth of
respiration to control the amount of carbon (IV) oxide excreted. The brain and the lungs,
therefore, succeed in regulating the pH of blood. Conversely, when the level of bases rises in the
blood, implying a rise in the pH, the brain sends signals to the kidney through the nervous
system thus more bicarbonate ions are released from the body through urine6.
Question 7
When the blood pressure falls below the normal range, signals are sent to the brain through the
nervous system. The brain responds by releasing neurotransmitters known as catecholamine that
increases the heartbeat thus raising the blood pressure. This low blood pressure also stimulates
the kidney to release renin that is converted to angiotensin II that leads to the tightening of the
kidneys thus increasing the blood pressure7. Conversely, when the blood pressure is high, signals
are sent to the kidney to flush more water and salts out of the body in the form of urine thus
reducing the amount of fluid in the blood vessels hence lowering the blood pressure8.
Question 8
The main body systems that work with the immune system to prevent infections include the
circulatory, digestive, lymphatic, and musculoskeletal systems. The immune cells are mainly
circulated within the body through the lymphatic system9. It is made up of several lymph nodes
6 D Kohan et al., "Regulation of Blood Pressure and Salt Homeostasis by Endothelin", p. 46.
7 D Kohan et al., "Regulation of Blood Pressure and Salt Homeostasis by Endothelin", p. 53
8 D Kohan et al., "Regulation of Blood Pressure and Salt Homeostasis by Endothelin", p. 66
9 P Parham, The immune system, in , Melbourne, Garland Science, 2014, p. 324

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where the immune cells respond to an invasion by pathogens. The circulatory system is another
pathway used by the immune cells to move around the body. The movement of the muscles in
the musculoskeletal system aids in the movement of lymphatic fluid around the body. Exercises
are therefore crucial in the prevention of infections. The digestive system is another system that
is critical in the prevention of infections.

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Reference List
Kohan, D, N Rossi, E Inscho, & D Pollock, "Regulation of Blood Pressure and Salt Homeostasis
by Endothelin.". in Physiological Reviews, 91, 2011, 1-77.
McKinley, M, & M Mathai, "Interdependent Preoptic Osmoregulatory and Thermoregulatory
Mechanisms Influencing Body Fluid Balance and Heat Defense."
Parham, P, The immune system. in , Melbourne, Garland Science, 2014, pp. 1-624.
Spallone, V, D Ziegler, R Freeman, L Bernardi, S Frontoni, & R Pop-Busui et al.,
"Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in diabetes: clinical impact, assessment, diagnosis, and
management.". in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 27, 2011, 639-653.