Attitudes, Ethics, and Legal Topics in Gerontology
[ 17 ] ATTITUDES, ETHICS, AND LEGAL TOPICS IN GERONTOLOGY PEARLS ❖ The shift in modern medicine from a paternalistic role toward giving the patient more responsibility in decision making…
Comparing and Contrasting the Theories of Aging
[ 2 ] COMPARING AND CONTRASTING THE THEORIES OF AGING PEARLS ❖ Hayflick and Moorhead conducted a landmark study that showed that in culture human fibroblasts have a limited life…
Blood results made easy
Figure 1.1: Composition of whole blood, serum and plasma The main disadvantage of using serum is that the blood has already clotted. In other words, a series of metabolic processes…
Chronic disease markers: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acid base
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acid base Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is a narrowing of the airways, leading to poor lung function and severe airflow obstruction (low FEV1). The…
The full blood count
The red blood cell indices These will usually be haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct) and RBC. Hb is the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells (erythrocytes) and it can be used…
Liver function tests
deficiencies in iron, B12 and glucose); metabolic production ( production of cholesterol, CRP, fibrinogen (PT, INR, aPTT) and albumin); and detoxification of endogenous and exogenous toxins. Liver function tests (LFTs)…
Bone profile
urea and electrolytes or U&Es), a patient with dysfunctional renal output (as shown by a reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60) may be less able to…
What are we actually measuring and why does this matter?
Figure 2.1: Liver function In Figure 2.1 (above), we could review LFT jaundice as follows: Table 2.1: Sample LFT jaundice results Part 3 – Production In this example we will…
The immune system
Figure 8.1: A normal response to a viral infection In Figure 8.1, the virus uses the internal machinery of the cell to replicate itself. It then bursts the cell and…
Renal function: Urea and electrolytes
potassium to acid base.) Potassium levels are tightly controlled by the kidneys. Hypokalaemia (K <3.5mmol/L) Patient 1 has been affected by inappropriate use or dosage of diuretics, although most are…
