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A 4-year old boy is caught up in tribal warfare in Africa. In a refugee camp, the only drinking water is from a sewage-contaminated pond. The child soon develops severe diarrhea and dies 10 day later of cardiac arrest. Explain three possible physiological causes of his death. (explain the how and why).

User Doug Shore
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Final answer:

The child's death from cardiac arrest after severe diarrhea can be attributed to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and waterborne diseases, all leading to organ failure and stress on the circulatory system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tragic death of the 4-year-old boy due to cardiac arrest after developing severe diarrhea from drinking sewage-contaminated water can be attributed to several physiological causes. Below are three possible causes:

Dehydration - Diarrhea leads to a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes. This can result in severe dehydration, impairing the function of vital organs and causing a drastic drop in blood pressure, eventually leading to cardiac arrest.Electrolyte imbalance - Essential electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and chloride are lost during episodes of diarrhea. An imbalance of these can disrupt heart function, lead to muscle weakness, seizures, and could contribute to the child's cardiac arrest.Waterborne diseases - Consuming contaminated water can lead to infections such as cholera, which produce toxins that affect intestinal cells and cause severe fluid loss. This extreme loss can also trigger circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest.

These physiological stresses placed on a young and likely malnourished body, without timely medical intervention, frequently result in death.

User Bckpwrld
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Answer:

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User Greicy
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