Case study biomedical science - Essay Example

He was required to undergo splenectomy and surgical repair to the liver, lungs, and kidneys. A septic shock is defined as a continuum response of human being to infection. It is predominantly caused by gram negative organisms. The most common source of gram negative infection is the genitourinary system, followed by the respiratory system, and lastly, by the biliary system (Schwatz 1994). Plasma sodium concentration is the primary measurement that is available readily to the clinician in evaluating the fluid status of a patient.

Under many conditions, it is a reasonable indicator of plasma osmolarity. Although plasma osmolarity is not measured routinely due to sodium and its associated anions that is mainly chloride, it accounts for more than 90% of the solute of extracellular fluid. Hypernatremia is a condition when the plasma sodium concentration is above normal. On the other hand, hyponatremia occurs when the plasma sodium concentration falls below normal level (Guyton and Hall 1996:308). This patient has hyponatremia (plasma sodium concentration of 132mmol/L) that is caused primarily by trauma and volume depletion.

In addition, the high amount of potassium in the blood of the patient (6.8mmol/L) is linked significantly with renal dysfunction and haemolytic anaemia. The renal dysfunction could be from severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance secondary to septic shock. Blood urea is an indicator of renal function. Increased urea concentration exhibited by the patient (10mmol/L) is due to enhanced protein metabolism, a normal reaction of trauma injury, stress, haemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract, and sepsis (RNCeus 2006).

Creatinine clearance is a test that gives an estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and is a good indicator of renal function. Increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels support the diagnosis of septic shock (Health Diseases 2008). Plasma bilirubin measures