Urinary Function

Mr. J.R. is a 73-year-old man, who was admitted to the hospital with clinical manifestations of gastroenteritis and possible renal injury. The patient’s chief complaints are fever, nausea with vomiting and diarrhea for 48 hours, weakness, dizziness, and a bothersome metallic taste in the mouth. The patient is pale and sweaty. He had been well until two days ago, when he began to experience severe nausea several hours after eating two burritos for supper. The burritos had been ordered from a local fast-food restaurant. The nausea persisted and he vomited twice with some relief. As the evening progressed, he continued to feel “very bad” and took some Pepto-Bismol to help settle his stomach. Soon thereafter, he began to feel achy and warm. His temperature at the time was 100. 5°F. He has continued to experience nausea, vomiting, and a fever. He has not been able to tolerate any solid foods or liquids. Since yesterday, he has had 5–6 watery bowel movements. He has not noticed any blood in the stools. His wife brought him to the ER because he was becoming weak and dizzy when he tried to stand up. His wife denies any recent travel, use of antibiotics, laxatives, or excessive caffeine, or that her husband has an eating disorder.

Case Study Questions

The attending physician is thinking that Mr. J.R. has developed an Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Analyzing the case presented name the possible types of Acute Kidney Injury. Link the clinical manifestations described to the different types of Acute Kidney injury.
Create a list of risk factors the patient might have and explain why.
Unfortunately, the damage on J.R. kidney became irreversible and he is now diagnosed with Chronic kidney disease. Please describe the complications that the patient might have on his Hematologic system (Coagulopathy and Anemia) and the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved.
Reproductive Function:
Ms. P.C. is a 19-year-old white female who reports a 2-day history of lower abdominal pain, nausea, emesis and a heavy, malodorous vaginal discharge. She states that she is single, heterosexual, and that she has been sexually active with only one partner for the past eight months. She has no previous history of genitourinary infections or sexually transmitted diseases. She denies IV drug use. Her LMP ended three days ago. Her last intercourse (vaginal) was eight days ago and she states that they did not use a condom. She admits to unprotected sex “every once in a while.” She noted an abnormal vaginal discharge yesterday and she describes it as “thick, greenish-yellow in color, and very smelly.” She denies both oral and rectal intercourse. She does not know if her partner has had a recent genitourinary tract infection, “because he has been away on business for five days.
Microscopic Examination of Vaginal Discharge
(-) yeast or hyphae
(-) flagellated microbes
(+) white blood cells
(+) gram-negative intracellular diplococci

Case Study Questions

According to the case presented, including the clinical manifestations and microscopic examination of the vaginal discharge, what is the most probably diagnosis for Ms. P.C.? Support your answer and explain why you get to that diagnosis.
Based on the vaginal discharged described and the microscopic examination of the sample could you suggest which would be the microorganism involved?

Full Answer Section

     

Clinical Manifestations Linked to AKI Types:

  • Pre-renal: The patient's weakness, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension (dizziness upon standing) are common symptoms of dehydration and reduced blood flow to the kidneys.

  • Intrinsic: The fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea could be a consequence of food poisoning, which can damage the kidneys. The metallic taste in the mouth can also be a sign of kidney damage.

  • Post-renal: While less likely, if kidney stones were a factor, the severe pain in the flank or lower abdomen could indicate this type of AKI.

Risk Factors:

  • Dehydration: Prolonged vomiting and diarrhea significantly contribute to dehydration, a major risk factor for pre-renal AKI.

  • Food Poisoning: The history of eating burritos from a fast-food restaurant raises concerns about food poisoning, which can cause intrinsic AKI.

  • Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol abuse can damage the kidneys, increasing susceptibility to AKI.

  • Homelessness: Lack of access to clean water and sanitation increases the risk of dehydration and exposure to potential toxins.

  • Age: Older adults are more susceptible to AKI due to age-related changes in kidney function.

Complications of Chronic Kidney Disease:

Hematologic System:

  • Coagulopathy: Chronic kidney disease can lead to impaired platelet function and reduced production of clotting factors, increasing the risk of bleeding.

    • Pathophysiology: Kidney dysfunction affects the production of erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. This can lead to anemia.

  • Anemia: Chronic kidney disease can cause anemia due to the impaired production of erythropoietin.

    • Pathophysiology: The kidneys play a crucial role in erythropoietin production. As kidney function declines, erythropoietin levels decrease, resulting in reduced red blood cell production and anemia.

Ms. P.C. - Genitourinary Infection

Diagnosis: Based on the clinical presentation, the most probable diagnosis is acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Support for Diagnosis:

  • Clinical Manifestations: Ms. P.C. presents with classic symptoms of PID, including lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and a heavy, foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

  • Microscopic Examination: The presence of white blood cells and gram-negative intracellular diplococci in the vaginal discharge strongly suggests an infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Microorganism Involved:

The most likely microorganism responsible for Ms. P.C.'s PID is Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the causative agent of gonorrhea.

Explanation:

  • Gram-Negative Intracellular Diplococci: The microscopic examination revealing gram-negative intracellular diplococci is a hallmark of gonorrhea.

  • Symptoms: The thick, greenish-yellow, malodorous vaginal discharge aligns with the typical symptoms of gonorrhea infection.

  • Risk Factors: Ms. P.C.'s history of unprotected sex with a new partner increases her risk of contracting gonorrhea.

   

Sample Answer

       

Mr. J.R. - Acute Kidney Injury

Possible Types of AKI:

Based on Mr. J.R.'s presentation, the most likely types of AKI are:

  • Pre-renal AKI: This type is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the kidneys, often due to dehydration or hypovolemia. Mr. J.R.'s prolonged vomiting and diarrhea, coupled with his inability to tolerate fluids, point towards this possibility.

  • Intrinsic AKI: This type arises from direct damage to the kidney tissue, often caused by toxins or medications. The ingestion of the burritos from a fast-food restaurant raises the possibility of food poisoning, which could lead to intrinsic AKI.

  • Post-renal AKI: This type results from an obstruction in the urinary tract, blocking urine flow. While less likely in this case, if the gastroenteritis caused severe dehydration and led to kidney stones, it could contribute to post-renal AKI.