Posted: May 21st, 2023

Elastigirl is a 30-year-old female

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
BIOL121 ASSIGNMENT 3: Written assessment
Scenario — Elastigirl
Elastigirl is a 30-year-old female, who has presented to the antenatal clinic for a routine prenatal visit. She has generally felt very well throughout her pregnancy and exercised regularly but is starting to feel more and more tired as her pregnancy progresses. Elastigirl reports she has been suffering from severe headaches over the last week or so and has been taking paracetamol tablets to dull the pain. She also reports some discomfort in her upper abdomen after eating and drinking and swelling in her feet and ankles. Elastigirl is vegan and, although she considers her fluid and caloric intake to be adequate, admits that she probably isn’t careful enough when ensuring she eats enough high calcium foods.
A physical examination and urinalysis were conducted. Results below.
Physical examination:
Height 164 cm Weight 63 kg Appearance Clean, neat appearance, mild oedema in feet and ankles Pregnancy status 34 weeks pregnant Temperature 36.2 C Blood work Blood group: 0-Fasting blood glucose = 6 mmol/L BP 150/95 mm Hg Respiratory rate 22 bpm Diet Vegan, low calcium intake Past patient history Non-smoker. Regular check-ups during pregnancy. All previous screenings of blood, urine, and blood pressure within normal ranges. Exercises regularly. Social status Works as a customer Helpant and lives with her husband and their daughter, Violet.
Urinalysis:
Blood
Bilirubin
Urobilinogen
0.4 mg/dL
Ketone
Protein
Nitrite
Glucose
pH
6.5
Specific Gravity
1.015
Leukocytes

1
AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
All topics and their key points listed below must be discussed in your essay
Topic 1: Reproduction (10 marks total)
A simple pregnancy test using Elastigirl’s urine helped to confirm her pregnancy. Which hormone is detected by a typical home pregnancy test? Discuss the role of this hormone in pregnancy. (5 marks)
Considering Elastigirl’s circumstances, describe the future role of oxytocin on uterine tissue during childbirth. (5 marks)
Topic 2: Respiratory system (5 marks total)
Describe the changes in volume and pressure that will be occurring in Elastigirl’s chest cavity to achieve inhalation while she is sitting in the examination room. Explain why these changes are occurring, and the effect upon airflow. (5 marks)
Topic 3: Digestion/metabolism (8 marks total)
Elastigirl enjoyed her favourite tofu scramble for breakfast today. Unfortunately, painful indigestion meant she had to promptly follow her meal with a couple of Mylanta® chewable tablets. Discuss how Mylanta® would affect digestion of the protein in Elastigirl’s meal. (4.5 marks)
State the hormone that will be MOST active in maintaining Elastigirl’s blood calcium levels if adequate calcium is not obtained from her diet. Explain your answer. (3.5 marks)
Topic 4: Pharmacology (7 marks total)
The antenatal nurse mentions to Elastigirl that the doctor might prescribe her Dithiazide tablets, which act as a diuretic.
Discuss the route of administration of Dithiazide, where the drug is likely to be absorbed after administration, and its likely bioavailability. Justify your response by discussing whether the drug would be subjected to hepatic first pass. (4 marks)
What effect will the thiazide have on other drugs that Elastigirl may take, such as paracetamol? In your answer, relate to the mechanism of action of thiazide. (3 marks)
©ACU 2023 2
I Ieo.acu.edu.au

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Topic 1: Reproduction

A typical home pregnancy test detects the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in a woman’s urine. hCG is produced by the developing placenta shortly after implantation occurs. Its presence in the urine indicates a positive pregnancy result.

hCG plays a crucial role in pregnancy. It is responsible for maintaining the corpus luteum, which continues to produce progesterone during the early stages of pregnancy. Progesterone helps sustain the endometrium, preventing the shedding of the uterine lining. Additionally, hCG stimulates the production of estrogen by the ovaries to support the growing fetus. It also acts as a signal for the mother’s body to cease menstruation, preventing the shedding of the uterine lining and ensuring a suitable environment for fetal development.

During childbirth, oxytocin plays a significant role in uterine contractions. As Elastigirl approaches childbirth, oxytocin levels increase, leading to stronger and more frequent contractions. Oxytocin acts on the smooth muscles of the uterus, stimulating their contraction and promoting the progression of labor. It also stimulates the release of prostaglandins, which further enhance uterine contractions. The contractions facilitated by oxytocin help in cervical dilation, pushing the fetus downward, and eventually expelling the baby during delivery.

Topic 2: Respiratory system

During inhalation, the chest cavity undergoes changes in volume and pressure to allow for the entry of air into the lungs. When Elastigirl sits in the examination room, the following changes occur:

Volume expansion: The diaphragm contracts and moves downward, while the external intercostal muscles contract, lifting the ribcage. These actions increase the volume of the thoracic cavity.

Pressure decrease: As the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, the pressure within the lungs decreases. This decrease in intrathoracic pressure creates a pressure gradient, causing air to flow from an area of higher pressure (outside the body) to an area of lower pressure (inside the lungs).

Airflow: The pressure gradient created by the expansion of the chest cavity drives airflow into the respiratory airways. The air moves through the conducting airways, such as the trachea and bronchi, and reaches the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs.

Topic 3: Digestion/metabolism

Mylanta® contains aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide, which are antacids. These compounds work by neutralizing excess stomach acid and reducing indigestion symptoms. In the case of Elastigirl’s protein-rich tofu scramble breakfast, Mylanta® may have some impact on protein digestion.

Mylanta® increases the pH of the stomach, making it less acidic. Since proteins are typically digested in an acidic environment, a higher pH may hinder the activity of the enzyme pepsin, which is responsible for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. This could potentially slow down protein digestion.

The hormone parathyroid hormone (PTH) would be most active in maintaining Elastigirl’s blood calcium levels if she does not obtain adequate calcium from her diet. PTH is secreted by the parathyroid glands in response to low blood calcium levels. It acts on several organs to increase blood calcium levels. PTH stimulates the release of calcium from bones, enhances the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys, and promotes the activation of vitamin D, which facilitates the absorption of calcium from the intestines. PTH ensures that calcium is mobilized from various sources to maintain the necessary levels in the bloodstream.

Topic 4: Pharmacology

Dithiazide tablets, a diuretic, are likely to be administered orally. Oral

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