Mr Penzey Case Study Essay

Improved Essays
1. What were the main findings of Mr. Penzey’s physical exam? How could his CT results be related to his blood pressure findings?
When Mr. Penzey's case study was analyzed, the initial tests performed on him indicated multiple findings. A mass was found during the CT scan, located on the adrenal gland; the adrenal gland is located on top of the kidneys, their function is to help in burning proteins and fats. This is how the adrenal gland keeps the blood pressure under control and regulates the normal flow of blood to the body (McLeod, 2008). There are mainly six major conditions that are associated when a mass is found in the adrenal glands. A condition called Paraganglioma also known as Para, and Pheochromocytoma also known as Pheo, these
…show more content…
This system is known to be one of the longest systems of hormones, as it was discovered about 100 years ago. Renin is an enzyme protein in nature that flows through the kidneys while angiotensin is a hormone that circulates in the bloodstream and constricts the blood vessels. By causing a restriction in the blood vessels, this hormone can increase the blood pressure which ultimately overworks the heart and body (Sahay, & Sahay, 2012). Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, this hormone helps in regulating the blood pressure. Whenever there is a decrease in blood flow to the kidneys, this system is activated. The typical flow of these hormones is renin release angiotensin, which then releases …show more content…
Penzey lab results show a high level of sodium. The average level of sodium ranges between 136-244 mmol/L and his lab results indicated high levels of 150 mmol/L. When sodium is present in high amount in the bloodstream it is difficult for the kidney to filter out water (Wedro). Potassium salt helps by balancing the negative effects of salt on the body. When potassium levels are low the muscle cramp up and weakening of the muscles occurs, which is one of the symptoms shown in Mr. Penzey’s condition. Mr. Penzey also suffers from severe low levels of Renin hypertension (LREH) at about 0.4 while the average range is between 0.5 to 3.3 ng/mL/hr. LREH is a condition that is sensitive to salts. Mr. Penzey level of aldosterone is at 2-9 ng/dl while the average range is 21, this shows he is off track from the normal values. With the information about Mr. Penzey’s low level of potassium and high level of aldosterone, it is clear that his body will reabsorb the sodium causing an electrolyte imbalance that can potentially lead back to high blood pressure, muscle weakness and headaches. Despite Mr. Penzey’s normal pH level at 7.45, he is still in danger of suffering from alkalosis due to his electrolyte imbalance. (Gibbons, 2015). In addition, to analyze Mr. Penzey condition better he can also be tested for the stimulation test for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), CT scan, electrolyte test and MRI (Sahay, & Sahay,

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    A. S AKI Case Study

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sodium is low, the normal is 135-145, this can be caused by the kidney injury the kidenys are reabsorbing more sodium and water follows so the water dilutes the amount of sodium but also since the patient suffers from a long history of heart failure this can also play a role in the decreased sodium because with heart failure…

    • 796 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Grade Insurance Case Study

    • 1674 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The results of the case study were gathered by using heparinized tubes and a centrifuge immediately. Plasma potassium levels were analyzed using flame photometry (uses flame and flame color to measure concentration of alkali metals in a substance.), blood glucose was analyzed using a Beckman analyzer, and blood insulin levels were measured using radioimmunoassay (uses radioactive antigens to measure concentration of hormones in blood). All results were weighted on an average between the participants of each individual study…

    • 1674 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Genetics Involving Pheochromocytomas Jillian Benson Baker University School of Nursing Genetics Involving Pheochromocytomas Pathophysiology Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas are rare, benign tumors that develop from chromaffin cells, which are located in the neuroectodermal tissues around the spinal column and the adrenal glands (Grouzman et al., 2015 and Santos, 2014). Pheochromocytomas are located inside of the adrenal gland, while paragangliomas are located outside of the adrenal gland. These tumors are known to secrete neurotransmitters such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, as well as catecholamines (VanMeter & Hubert, 2014, p. 423). According to a research article written by Eric Grouzmann (2015), “In chromaffin cells and pheochromocytes, norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) are stored in vesicles where they sustain a passive leakage into the cytoplasm before being recaptured in the vesicle pool” (p.2). This is important because, the enzyme responsible for transforming norepinephrine into epinephrine is only in the adrenal medulla and is…

    • 832 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    PAI Diagnostic Disorder

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages

    There are three steps to diagnosing PAI. 1. Mid-morning blood assay may show elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH and plasma renin activity PRA with decreased serum cortisol and serum aldosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate DHEAS [1, 3]. ACTH and cortisol concentrations have a diurnal variation that differs in patients with PAI. 2.…

    • 567 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Monday, September 21st: My role in clinical today was clinic manager. This role is responsible for helping Mrs. Lutz in running the clinic. The first task of the day was to test the glucose meter to make sure that it is calibrated correctly. At first the glucose meters were not reading correctly.…

    • 1186 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    The patient develops adverse cardiac and neurological side effects due to the significant decrease in serum sodium levels that may require admission into the intensive care unit for further assessment and…

    • 857 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many patients have multiple diagnoses when they are admitted in the hospital care setting. My particular patient eight different diagnoses so I had multiple options to choose from to write this paper about. I decided to select hyponatremia because I know electrolyte imbalance is a very common issue. The Understanding Pathology textbook by Sue E. Heuther and Kathryn L. McCane state that hyponatremia is a sodium deficit or a serum sodium level that is less than 135 mEq/L.…

    • 487 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Activity Tracker

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Over consumption of salt is the explanation of the sodium overage in my body switching salt with Mrs. Dash or other salt replacement or just reducing the salt intake will dramatically the risks associated with sodium like hyper tension and heart disease. All the minerals and vitamins I am lacking from this report is gained by the multi vitamin supplement prescribed by my doctor and is absent in my food…

    • 674 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Physical Health Assessment Summary

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    • 5 Works Cited

    Concerns that the student nurse would want to monitor for would be signs of decreased cardiac output and lack of blood flow to his peripheral tissues that would be evidenced by edema and relatively colder skin (Jarvis, 2008). R.M. also had weakened pedal pulses of +1 bilaterally. Another abnormal assessment was with R.M.'s musculoskeletal system. R.M. had very limited range of motion especially in his lower extremities greatly due to arthritis and a very labor intensive job his entire working life. In R.M.'s patient's chart, it stated he had functional decline and joint limitations.…

    • 1499 Words
    • 6 Pages
    • 5 Works Cited
    Great Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Abstract Although initially considered a rarity, primary aldosteronism now is considered one of the most common causes of secondary hypertension. Litynski reported the first cases, but Conn was the first to well characterize the disorder, in 1956. In this report, it is discussed the diagnosis and management of primary aldosteronism during pregnancy. Aldosterone and renin are physiologically increased during pregnancy and confirmation tests are not recommended, the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism during pregnancy relies on a repeatedly suppressed plasma renin level.…

    • 189 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This includes, a blood test, this kind of test measures level of sodium, potassium, ACTH, and cortisol. It can decided if it is adrenal deficiency, and if antibodies associated with the disease are in the blood. Another is an ACTH stimulation test, this is where a dose of synthetic ACTH is injected to see if cortisol can be produced; if not then the adrenal glands are damaged. There is also the insulin-induced hypoglycemia test, where blood sugar and cortisol levels are tested. The final test is an imaging test, this is when the patient gets a CT scan of his or her abdomen to check the size of adrenal…

    • 508 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    These patients are usually able to keep their potassium levels normal, but they still must restrict phosphorus. Sodium and fluid intake are not as restricted as patients on hemodialysis, but it is still important to monitor to avoid…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pathophysiology Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a clinical syndrome in which the pumping action of the heart becomes less powerful and fluid builds up forcing it into the lungs causing pulmonary edema or causing edema in the peripheral vascular system. CHF is used interchangeably with Heart failure (HF). HF is characterized by myocardial dysfunction, which is an alteration in ventricular contraction. Myocardial dysfunction can be caused by a result of many different conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, valvular disorders, renal dysfunction, ischemia and myocardial infarction. It can be systolic heart failure in which the heart muscles are weakened and results in decreased blood ejected from the ventricle,…

    • 1093 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Angiotensin II, as a strong vasoconstrictor, increases blood pressure by stimulating the systemic vascular resistance and the raise of the blood volume, therefore the blood pressure too. Angiotensin II also stimulates the production of aldestorne by the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone provoke kidneys to reabsorp more sodium ions and water. Due to the sympathetic stimulation,the adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine,which raise the heart rate and respectively,the cardiac…

    • 761 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Her blood pressure medicine was not working, so the doctor prescribed a stronger medicine. After taking the medication “she developed an irregular heartbeat due to atrial fibrillation” (Le Fanu, 2014) requiring her to add additional drugs to include another blood pressure medicine and a blood thinner. Despite, or perhaps because of all the medications, she profoundly felt weak and lethargic. A required blood test later revealed that she had a very low level of sodium in her blood.…

    • 2213 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Superior Essays