Physiology Challenges and Human Disorders

Module Learning Outcomes

Module Learning Outcomes

1. Explain physiological processes relating to named organs and systems.

2. Carry out experimental procedures to illustrate specific physiological functions.

3. Discuss the causes, underlying symptoms, diagnosis and pathophysiology of a range of human disorders.

4. Analyse and discuss experimental results in physiology. This workbook will cover physiological challenges relating to a range of pathological conditions.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 1 pm on Friday 22nd May (as a single pdf document to the Turnitin drop box on the Applied Human Physiology Moodle site). Marks will be awarded for:

o Clearly articulated, coherent and concise answers

o Accuracy and relevance of the material presented

o Effective use of your own diagrams, figures, tables etc. For example, you could include hand drawn diagrams (photographed and then incorporated into your document). The sources of information used will need to be acknowledged

o Correct citation and listing of relevant information sources (where necessary and appropriate). Please use the Vancouver referencing system for each section you have answered (weighting up to 2.5 marks or 10%) Marks will be deducted for

o Not specifying a word count for a section; only continuous prose and text within tables will be included in the word count; reference lists do not count nor sensibly sized legends to figures/tables

o Inaccurate word count for a section

o Exceeding the word allowance

Please complete TWO sections only from the four presented below. The maximum number of marks available = 50.

Section 1: Type 2 respiratory failure (25 marks) – maximum 825 words.

Type 2 respiratory failure is characterised by a decrease in blood oxygen (hypoxia) and an increase in blood carbon dioxide (hypercapnia/hypercarbia). It is a serious and life-threatening condition. For example, it is a feature of the latter phases of pneumonia. Initially, blood pH is controlled (metabolically compensated) but as the situation worsens it becomes non-compensated and blood pH falls (an acidosis develops).

Briefly explain the physiological nature of the symptoms associated with pneumonia and discuss how a type 2 respiratory failure can develop and progress from a compensated to a noncompensated form. In your answer, also explain (i) why giving oxygen could kill a patient; (ii) why CPAP may have to be employed and; (iii) why patients on BPAP are more compliant than with CPAP.

Section 2: Heart Failure (25 marks) – maximum 825 words.

Explain why blood levels of both natriuretic peptide and angiotensin II are high in severe heart failure and how this is reflected in the various physiological symptoms. In addition, what measures can be employed to break the cycle of events in order to improve the patient’s condition?

Section 3: Environmental stress (25 marks) – maximum 825 words

A 24-year-old amateur climber/mountaineer has been taken ill at an altitude of 6000m in the Andes. He has only been above 3000m for one week and a doctor associated with the group reports the following:

The climber has a mild headache, has not slept well for several days, is complaining of nausea and is feeling tired. His Lake Louise Score has been estimated at 4 with no signs of peripheral oedema, ataxia or change in mental status.

Discuss the diagnosis, the likely causes of his symptoms, the prognosis if he stays at altitude and the immediate countermeasures that can be taken to reverse his condition.

Section 4: Clinical signs of ischaemia and necrosis in the heart (25 marks) – maximum 825 words Survival rates for those who have a myocardial infarction (MI) are very much dependent on the assessment of the severity of ischemia (loss of blood flow in the coronary arteries) and necrosis (irreversible damage affected parts of the myocardium). Briefly summarise the key cardiac biomarkers in the blood and any characteristic changes in the ECG that would indicate (i) the level of ischaemia experienced by the patient and (ii) the extent of necrosis that may have resulted.