Homework Assignment 1

1. How can the concept of homeostatic imbalance be applied to the following

situations? Can homeostasis be restored? How?

a. dental caries
b. a kidney stone
c. a bulging intervertebral disc
d. Hypertension
e. Infection

A. dental caries: When bacteria stays on teeth too long the tooth starts to decay.
Once the bacteria reach the center of the tooth where the nerves and blood
vessels are, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection
and restore homeostasis. Then by this point it can not be restored and the best
option would be to have the holes filled.
B. a kidney stone: Homeostasis can be restored by passing the kidney stone
through when you go to the bathroom. This would be a positive feedback and
once the stone has passed, the release shuts off the feedback because it has
maintained homeostasis.
C. a bulging intervertebral disc: This is caused by the softer center of the spinal
disk pushing through a crack in the exterior part of the bone. This in turn pinches
a nerve causing pain or numbness. Homeostasis cannot be restored.
D. Hypertension: The imbalance of pressure is noticed by the heart which then
notifies the brain (the control center) and it then sends signals to the heart to
slow down or speed up based on whether or not the pressure was too high or
too low. So yes, it can be restored.
E. Infection: When foreign substances enter the body, the lymphatic system is
activated which then sends signals out to white blood cells to locate the foreign
substances and prevent them from spreading/replicating. Homeostasis
therefore, can be restored

2. How does a homeostatic control mechanism regulate

Body temperature when the temperature is too high or very low?

Your hypothalamus is a section of your brain that controls temperature. When it

senses your internal temperature becoming too low or high, it sends signals to your
 muscles, organs, glands, and nervous system. They respond in a variety of ways to
help return your temperature to normal. For example, if your body is too hot it will
cool off by secreting fluids, which we call sweat. On the other hand, if you are too
cold your body will shiver that is your muscles tightening and relaxing at a rapid
speed trying to conduct heat.

3. Using Body Regions and Anatomical Positions in Medicine

Knowing body regions and anatomical positions is crucial for a correct diagnosis as well
as to communicate with other medical professionals about a patient’s progress. The
following are directions written to a medical staff of treatment that needs to be carried
out for a patient. For each treatment need, explain the instructions in common
language. For any terms that are not familiar, use a dictionary (preferably medical) to
look up the meaning.

1. 52-year-old male patient entered the ER experiencing shortness of breath,

hyperhidrosis, extreme anxiety, and acute severe thoracic pain that radiates
distally to the left brachial region. The patient is also experiencing pain in the
buccal, mental, and cervical regions. Patient has suffered from angina in the
past, and applied a nitroglycerin patch to the right pelvic region that has had no
effect. Patient is resistant to thermometer, so temperature must be taken from
the axillary region. Angioplasty has been recommended due to past history, and
catheter will be inserted in the medial inguinal region where femoral artery is
located.

The patient is experiencing extreme/ excessive sweating, shortness of

breath, extreme anxiety, and upper back pain that extends to the left arm.
The patient is also experiencing pain in the lining of the cheek, near the
chin region, and neck. Patient has suffered from chest pains in the past,
and applied a nitroglycerin patch to the right pelvic region and has had no
effect. The patient refuses the thermometer, so temperature must be
taken from under the arm (arm pit). Angioplasty (opening the blocked/
narrow blood vessels that supply blood to the heart) has been
recommended due to past history, and a catheter ( a tube to drain
urine)will be inserted in the groin where the large artery in the thigh is
located (femoral artery).

2. 16-year-old male was brought in experiencing nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and

muscle pains in the cervical, abdominal, femoral, brachial, sural, dorsal, and
gluteal regions. Patient also complains of severe radiating pain in the superior
portion of the cephalic region. The patient suffered a short seizure during his
 soccer game before being brought to the ER. Further assessment showed an
increased body temperature, rapid pulse, and a superficial rash extending distally
brachial to antebrachial on both upper and lower lateral limbs. Patient is also
experiencing intermittent emesis. Treat with 0.9% saline IV inserted at manus
region to avoid rash, and wait for further test results.

A 16 year old male was brought in experiencing nausea, fatigue, dizziness

and muscle pains in the neck, stomach, thigh, bicep area, calf area, arm,
back and glutes (buttocks). Patient also, complains of severe spreading
pain in the upper portion of the head. The patient suffered a short seizure
during his soccer game before being brought to the ER. Further
assessment showed an increased body temperature, rapid pulse
(heartbeat), and a rash on the skin spreading from the inside of the arm to
the outside on both arms and legs. Patient is also, experiencing episodes
of nausea. Treat with 0.9% saline IV at hand to avoid rash and wait for
further test results.

3. 46-year-old female patient was brought in by ambulance unconscious. Family

says patient had been suffering from fever, dizziness, confusion, and tremors for
a few days before collapsing at home. Upon further assessment a 6.4 cm deep
necrotic laceration was found 2 cm distal of the right popliteal extending laterally
towards the upper sural region. Necrotic tissue extends proximally to the
transverse plane of the mid-femoral region, distally to the tarsal region, and
anterior to posterior engulfing the crural and sural region of the right lower
extremity. Hepatic and pulmonary failure due to sepsis has been confirmed.
Treatment will include excision of necrotic tissue, which will include the right
lower extremity distal of the upper femoral region. Surgery will be followed with
IV administration of saline solution, corticosteroids, and antibiotics in the
antebrachial region.

.
46-year-old female patient was brought in by ambulance unconscious.
Family says patient had been suffering from fever, dizziness, confusion,
and involuntary quivering/ shaking for a few days before collapsing at
home. Upon further assessment a 6.4 cm deep necrotic laceration (cut)
was found 2cm away from the right back of the knee extending outward
toward the upper calf region. Dead tissue extends toward the middle of the
body upward from the middle of the thigh, outward from the ankle, and calf
region of the lower right limb. Liver and breathing failure due to infection of
the wound has been confirmed. Treatment will include removal of the
dead (necrotic) tissue, which will include the right lower leg below the
knee. Surgery will be followed with IV administration of saline solution,
seriod hormones, and antibiotics in the forearm.