Patient was educated on functions of kidney as follows:
- Red Blood Cell Regulation
- When the red blood cell count is low, oxygen transport to the tissues is affected and kidneys will monitor this drop in oxygen supply.
- In response to the reduced oxygen supply, kidneys will produce a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce more oxygen carrying red blood cells.
- Acid Base Balance
- Kidneys help to maintain an ideal body environment, by helping eliminate excess of acid and bicarbonate.
- This balance is needed for the proper function of most of the enzymes and hormones in the human body.
- Blood Pressure Regulation
- The kidneys need constant pressure to filter the blood.
- The kidneys are equipped with monitoring the pressure changes closely.
- When the pressure drops, the kidneys monitor this change and as a compensatory measure, release some hormones that bring on narrowing of the blood vessels in the renal circulation, which will lead to elevation of pressure.
- Also, under conditions of reduced blood pressure, the kidneys promote retention of sodium and water, which will also help to elevate the blood pressure. Both the constriction and retention help restore normal blood pressure.
