Question

Sodium is one of the two elements that make up table salt. A person can become sick if the concentration of sodium in the person's blood is outside the normal range, which is 135 – 145 mmol/L. A patient's blood test shows a sodium concentration of 150 mmol/L. Answer the questions about how this situation affects the ability of the cells in the patient's body to maintain homeostasis.

Answer 1

Hypernatremia, or elevated blood sodium levels, disrupts the normal osmotic balance across cell membranes, leading to cellular dehydration and could cause hypertension due to increased total water volume. The kidneys normally regulate sodium levels, but excess intake or hormonal imbalances can lead to such conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concentration of sodium in a patient's blood is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. A high blood sodium level, known as hypernatremia, indicates an imbalance that can significantly impact the cells' ability to function normally. When the sodium concentration in the blood is above the normal range, as in the case of the patient with a concentration of 150 mmol/L, it creates a high osmotic pressure gradient.

This gradient can draw water out of the cells, leading to cellular dehydration and impaired function. Furthermore, it can contribute to an increased total volume of water in the body, leading to hypertension or high blood pressure.

The kidneys play a major role in excreting excess sodium to help maintain the normal range of sodium concentration. However, excess dietary consumption and issues with hormonal balances that manage water and sodium levels can exacerbate hypernatremia.

Since sodium is the major cation of the extracellular fluid, its imbalance disrupts the osmolar balance across cell membranes, challenging the body's regulatory mechanisms and potentially leading to serious health complications.