ADAPTIVE RESPONSE
by Edwin Amuga
Introduction
Human physiology essentially adapts to respond to different stressors. These stressors can be environmental-related to the world around one, intrinsic related to lifespan, or even self-inflicted. All these stressors can be destructive and physiological adaptations step into as a reaction to these stressors and can be in many forms. Human bodies react to stressors in different ways which can involve limited parts of the body up to the entire physiological system and even the individual’s psychological structure. This paper will provide the pathophysiology of disorders and associated alterations considering the adaptive responses of three different scenarios. To better implicate in the clinical practice of advanced practice nurse (APN), the paper will include a mind map of scenario 3, psychosocial distress disorder, which will encompass its risk factors, adaptive responses to changes, diagnosis, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and clinical presentation.
Scenario 1
Pathophysiology
Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils and might extend to other areas of the back throat such as the lingual tonsils and the adenoids. It is caused by several viruses including the Epstein Barr Virus which is one of the viruses that attack the double-stranded DNA, rhino-viruses Para-influenza and influenza viruses, enteroviruses such as the coronaviruses meta-pneumo-virus, respiratory viruses, and of the single-stranded DNA, and retroviruses such as the human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) (Stelter, 2014). Other causatives are some significant pathogens causing bacterial tonsillitis such as GABHS- group Ab-hemolytic streptococci and the Streptococcus pyogenes. Both bacteria and viruses, therefore, cause this condition among younger children.
Adaptive responses
Along with the adenoids, tonsils trap the germs coming in through the mouth and nose, and both are part of the lymphatic system which is responsible for clearing away infections and keeping body fluids in balance (Stelter, 2014). Similar to the manifestations in Jennifer in Scenario 1, the adaptive response associated with tonsillitis involve systemic and local reaction such as fever, erythematous and swollen tonsils, the presence of exudates, difficulty or painful swallowing, swollen neck glands, weakness, and sore throat. Due to symptoms of a sore throat, difficult and painful swallowing, poor oral intake can occur to the individual affected by the condition.
If unattended, complications associated with the disease can lead to respiratory difficulty, obstructive sleep apnea, tonsillar cellulitis, and peritonsillar cellulitis, and untreated tonsillitis caused by bacteria can result in rheumatic fever or post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
Scenario 2
Pathophysiology
The condition is a non-inflammatory dermatitis type that is caused when prolonged exposure to chemical properties of detergents, soaps, and other industrial agents capable of causing chemical irritation activate proinflammatory innate immune system activation. The skin condition is an inflammatory eczematous disease caused by exposure to toxic metal ions or chemicals and their effects start without T cell response induction (Goldner & Tuchinda, 2015). It can also be caused by exposure to small reactive chemicals modifying proteins and inducing innate and adaptive immune responses. The drying and damage of the skin allow substance penetration into the stratum corneum that houses the penetrating substances.
Adaptive response
The adaptive response of irritant contact dermatitis is mostly localized causing an inflammatory reaction to the exposed part of the skin (Goldner & Tuchinda, 2015). Manifestations include dry skin, a possible sense of stinging and burning, red, scaly skin and itchiness may develop. Continued exposure to irritants can further damage the skin. The increase in skin injuries increases susceptibility for entry of external invaders including microorganisms or bacteria. Continued skin damage increases infection risks and skin injury visibility that affect the individual’s self-esteem.
Scenario 3
Pathophysiology
Martha was experiencing psychosocial distress which predicts physical, social, and psychological health outcomes, possibly induced by unpleasant physiologic, behavior, cognitive and emotional change arousal. As demonstrated in the scenario, the recent significant change in the daily activities of Martha was due to the new role of providing care for her mother which consumes most of her time. The situation that Martha is the only caregiver to her mother, a very draining activity to her, resulted in psychosocial distress. Rote, Angel, and Markides (2015) describe caregiver burden as heavy direct care provision to a recipient load. They also term it as discomfort that results from performing caregiving tasks. Physiological distress experiences allostatic overload caused when adaptive regulatory physiological systems are activated resulting in clinical pathophysiology and disease susceptibility increase. There are several physiologic systems that take part in the allostatic overload including sympathetic nervous system catecholamines, cortisol, and pro-inflammatory cytokines excessive secretion and parasympathetic activity decline that result in deprivation of sleep.
Martha is undergoing a physiologic reaction from the psychosocial distress experienced as manifested by poor appetite, lack of sleep, and an increase in heart rate. Due to the connection of mind-body interaction in response to stress, immediate assistance should be sought to prevent further decline of the individual’s psychological and physiological condition.
Conclusion
Adaptive response abilities of the body differ from one person to another and depend on the contributing factors. The body’s adaptive response can lead to a local and systemic reaction including other subsystems of the human body (Chakraborty & Sen, 2014). Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease process and the adaptive mechanism is critical to appropriately identify health issues promptly and develop an appropriate care plan according to the health needs of a patient.
Psychosocial distress Mindmap
References
Chakraborty, S., & Sen, A. (2014). Adaptive response surface-based efficient finite element model updating. Finite Elements in Analysis and Design, 80, 33–40.
Goldner, R., & Tuchinda, P. (2015). Irritant contact dermatitis in adults. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate.
Rote, S., Angel, J. L., & Markides, K. (2015). Health of elderly Mexican American adults and family caregiver distress. Research on aging, 37(3), 306–331.
Stelter, K. (2014). Tonsillitis and sore throat in children. GMS current topics in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery, 13.
