Objectives 30 and 33 Heart valves and Venous valves

The lecture PowerPoint and the text had great step-by step pictures that demonstrated how the heart valves ensured one-way blood flow through the heart. 

Nurse's Note: Why it matters and how to apply it as a nurse: A problem with the right side of the heart not functioning properly will result in swelling or edema throughout the body whereas a problem with the left side of the heart will typically result in an issue of congestion in the lungs.

http://www.nsbri.org/HumanPhysSpace/focus2/bpflo.html

Just another amazing trait of the human body!  The venous valves are formed from folds of the tunica intima, the innermost layer of the vein.  These valves close as needed to aid in returning the blood from the limbs back to the heart to be reoxygenated.

Objective 29: Veins and Arteries

      Its been said a million times that a picture is worth a thousand words!  This holds true for me with this picture ...especially the slide photo of the vein and artery.  We had discussed in class that veins had a larger lumen and thinner walls than arteries but not one time did I envision that the vein was actually that much larger than the artery in diameter.  An odd misconception of mine I guess.  Prior to seeing this picture, I had a visual image, I understood that the arteries had a much thicker tunica media than the veins, this made perfect sense, but in my head they also had a larger diameter overall because of that thicker layer. 

Anatomy and Physiology Textbook*

Objective 22 - Understanding the clotting process

Fast series of reactions for stoppage of bleeding:

1. Vascular spasm
2. Platelet plug formation
3. Coagulation

 Amazing!  This entire process amazes me!  The fact that at any given moment our bodies are capable of having so many different process occuring that affect our overall homeostasis.  I have to admit that this process was somewhat overwhelming for me at first.  Breaking it down into smaller steps enabled me to take in the information one piece at a time.

Nurses Note: Thromboembolic disorders commonly called PE (pulmonary embolism) and DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) are clotting disorders that can prove deadly.  Blood-thinners such as Warfarin and Coumadin are commonly prescribed to thin the blood and prevent the platelets from sticking together and causing clots.

Objective 21: Blood typing

• Types A, B, AB, and O
• Based on the presence of absence of two agglutinogens (A and B) on the surface of red blood cells
• Blood may contain Anti-A or Anti-B antibodies (agglutinins) that act against transfused RBC's with ABO antigens not normally present
• Anti-A or Anti-B form in the blood at about 2 months of age

Ok, dont ask me why....but this confuses me, STILL.  I get it in writing...the facts above all make perfect sense.  I have a clear understanding of what agglutinogens are and how the antibodies present in the blood will attack a foreign substance (ie: a different blood type).  However, when I see an actual blood sample, for some reason I can not figure out which one I'm looking at.  Maybe a little more time studying the chart below will help me!

Anatomy and Physiology textbook*

Objectives 18, 19, and 20. Blood: Leukocytes and Erythrocytes

These three charts shown in conjunction with one another helped give me a great overview on these objectives. The first explained in detail how both erythrocytes and leukocytes arise from stem cells and gave me a step by step of the process as they developed into blood cells.  The second chart gives a more in depth look at the components that form each type of blood cell.  The final chart gives information such as their lifespan, overall count in the blood, size, physical characteristics and their "JOB" in the body.  At first, I was using these charts simply to memorize the information on the blood cells, but as we got further into the chapter and the lecture information, it started to "click" that this all tied in together! That the bones that we studied in Bio-210 are where the blood cells arise from, and that those ions (that we studied ad-nauseum! ..SO THATS WHY WE HAD TO LEARN THOSE!)  play such an important part of so many body functions also help to comprise the blood.

Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory manual**

Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory manual**

Objective 17 - The functions of blood

The information provided in the lecture PowerPoint in regards to the functions of blood was largely review information for me.  The majority of this information was learned in BIO-100 in discussions regarding cellular respiration, the structure of water and heat capacity, pH and acidity, and in learning about the plasma membrane and cellular receptors.  

1. Distribution
1. Oxygen and nutrients to body cells
2. Metabolic wastes to lungs and kidneys for elimination
3. Hormones from endocrine organs to target organs or cells
2. Regulation
1. Of body temperature by absorbing and distributing heat
2. Normal pH using buffers
3. Adequate fluid volume in the circulatory system
3. Protection against:
1. Blood Loss
1. Plasma proteins and platelets initiate clot formation
2. Infection
1. Antibodies
2. Complement Proteins
3. WBC's defend against foreign invaders