Room 337, an 85- year old widowed white female, presented six days ago to Lynchburg General Hospital with complaints of dizziness and falling. She has a past medical history of hypertension, chronic CHF, asthma and hypothyroidism. After the conduction of lab testing, Room 337 was diagnosed with syncope. Her syncope was most likely a result of insufficient O2 delivery to the brain caused by a decreased CO produced by the weakening of her heart muscle. Despite hypertension medications, Room N337’s dizziness and muscle fatigue persists demonstrated by fluctuations in her orthostatic BP readings reflecting the inability to get out of bed and move freely. Syncope will be discussed along with the pathogenesis, signs and symptoms, risks factors, diagnostic tools and treatment. Hypertension,
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Blood is classified as a fluid connective tissue that travels through the cardiovascular system to provide nutrients to the body’s organs and tissues. Blood is composed of two major components: formed elements and plasma. Formed elements, such as erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, are suspended in a watery nonliving fluid matrix that travels throughout the body’s arteries and veins. Leukocytes, also known as WBCs, are primarily used in the defense against diseases and infections; while platelets contribute to clotting factors at the site of vessel wall injuries. Erythrocytes, also known as RBCs, are a major component of O2 delivery to the brain. The primary function of red blood cells is to transport respiratory gases, such as O2 and carbon dioxide (CO2), to the body’s tissues and organs. Each RBC contains hemoglobin which has the capacity to carry four O2 molecules. Therefore, if the amount of blood supplied to an organ is reduced, the amount of O2 that is delivered to that organ is reduced as well (Hoehn & Marieb, 2010,
Blood is classified as a fluid connective tissue that travels through the cardiovascular system to provide nutrients to the body’s organs and tissues. Blood is composed of two major components: formed elements and plasma. Formed elements, such as erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, are suspended in a watery nonliving fluid matrix that travels throughout the body’s arteries and veins. Leukocytes, also known as WBCs, are primarily used in the defense against diseases and infections; while platelets contribute to clotting factors at the site of vessel wall injuries. Erythrocytes, also known as RBCs, are a major component of O2 delivery to the brain. The primary function of red blood cells is to transport respiratory gases, such as O2 and carbon dioxide (CO2), to the body’s tissues and organs. Each RBC contains hemoglobin which has the capacity to carry four O2 molecules. Therefore, if the amount of blood supplied to an organ is reduced, the amount of O2 that is delivered to that organ is reduced as well (Hoehn & Marieb, 2010,