Clinical Case study 

In 2012, Mary took part in the Chicago Marathon – her fifth, and the hottest on record, with temperatures peaking at 76 F. Conscious of the repeated advice to maintain fluid intake, she took frequent drinks at the water stations along the route.

In the 16th mile, Mary felt bad but was determined to finish, near the end, she needed help from other runners to stay upright; few hours later she was in the hospital, suffering from severe diarrhea, headache, vomiting and increasing confusion, with her legs endlessly mimicking a running motion. “I thought I was still in the marathon,” she says.

When Mary arrived at the hospital and doctors began to collect information, they discovered that she weighed 130 lbs. Oddly, when she checked in to the race, she weighed 128 lbs.

Critical Thinking Question: What happened to Mary at the Chicago Marathon?

When Mary arrived at the hospital, doctors immediately began to take data on her vitals.

Vital Signs

Normal 

Kati

Respiration

12-20 bpm

11

Heart Rate

60-100 bpm

75

Pulse Oxygen

95-100%

98%

Serum Sodium Levels (urine)

135-145 mEq/L

115 

Based on table above which vital sign provides a clue to Mary’s problem?

What is the term that we use to explain the patient symptoms?

What solution doctor should inject to help patient?

If patient don’t get help right away, can the condition get worse and lead to other symptoms and affect other organs?

How does Mary’s’s story relate to HOMEOSTASIS?

Which of the 10 life processes were compromised in Mary’s situation?