Tissue oxygenation and perfusion

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I really need some help. I have the below assignment and Have no idea how to write this paper. I would assume the lungs are the fuel tank, the heart is the fuel pump, the size of the engine would possibly be the size of the vascular bed. I don't even know where to start. I don't understand how a car works so I am at a total loss. Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Have you ever considered what happens to a car when it is out of gas or the gas pump fails? This is the problem in shock---no oxygen (gas) to the tissues, so things begin to fail just as in your car. Using the car as a metaphor, write a paper identifying the factors that influence mean arterial pressure---How much gas? How big is the tank? what is the size of the engine? How quickly is the gas used up. Describe the role that the sympathetic system plays in maintaining vascular tone. What would you expect to be the earliest manifestation (vital signs) of shock and why?

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Gas = Oxygenated blood

Tank = Body and vascular system (veins, arteries etc)

Engine = heart and its strength (cardiac output)

How quickly gas is used up = rate of O2 consumption by heart, muscle etc

Now you answer the rest (it is your homework after all)..

What is the sympathetic nervous system? What is its effect on vascular tone? What is vascular tone? How does the vascular tone affect how the blood flows through the body? What happens to the heart and body when there is increased or decreased vascular tone?

What is shock? What causes shock? What are the different types of shock? What happens to the body when it is in a state of shock?

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

While we're making automotive allegories, might I suggest that the sympathetic nervous system (vasoconstriction/dilation) acts like the transmission, "changing gears" to meet the body's increased or decreased metabolic needs. Kind of a stretch considering that the HR itself also changes to increase CO, but you get the point. Research alpha and beta receptors and include that in your paper -- these are a must when discussing the SNS.

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Specializes in Pedi.

I don't understand enough about cars to make this metaphor work... ;)

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Thank you all so much. [COLOR=#003366]KelRN215 this is why I am having so much trouble with the assignment. I don't know enough about cars. My husband tried to help while I was explaining what happens during shock, but he didn't understand me either.

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I don't understand enough about cars to make this metaphor work... ;)

This made me giggle, since it pertains to me as well.

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You know what, I'd do this assignment in reverse. Do a detailed map of everything you learn about shock (don't forget variations in circulating volume, heart rate, cardiac stroke volume, peripheral resistance and the sympathetic nervous system, adrenals, carotid body sensors, temperature, and arterial disease) and THEN take it to somebody who knows cars for a translation.

I think it's dumb to assign a student to use a particular metaphor (car mechanics) for a body system (cardiovascular system) if the metaphor isn't well-enough understood to make it work. Especially nowadays, because now cars are more complex and have more occult workings than when it was just carburetor (hey, there's your pulmonary capillary bed) (sorta), fuel pump, radiator, spark plugs, cylinders, exhaust/muffler, and drive train.

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Maybe you should go to you tube and put in the search engine about how different parts of the engine works. Maybe by actually seeing it then maybe that might help you understand it better. Then you can piece both of them together. Just a thought.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
I really need some help. I have the below assignment and Have no idea how to write this paper. I would assume the lungs are the fuel tank, the heart is the fuel pump, the size of the engine would possibly be the size of the vascular bed. I don't even know where to start. I don't understand how a car works so I am at a total loss. Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Have you ever considered what happens to a car when it is out of gas or the gas pump fails? This is the problem in shock---no oxygen (gas) to the tissues, so things begin to fail just as in your car. Using the car as a metaphor, write a paper identifying the factors that influence mean arterial pressure---How much gas? How big is the tank? what is the size of the engine? How quickly is the gas used up. Describe the role that the sympathetic system plays in maintaining vascular tone. What would you expect to be the earliest manifestation (vital signs) of shock and why?

A car is a horrible metaphor for relating to the problem you are given.

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Idk anything about cars either ... Wish I could help.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I really need some help. I have the below assignment and Have no idea how to write this paper. I would assume the lungs are the fuel tank, the heart is the fuel pump, the size of the engine would possibly be the size of the vascular bed. I don't even know where to start. I don't understand how a car works so I am at a total loss. Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Have you ever considered what happens to a car when it is out of gas or the gas pump fails? This is the problem in shock---no oxygen (gas) to the tissues, so things begin to fail just as in your car. Using the car as a metaphor, write a paper identifying the factors that influence mean arterial pressure---How much gas? How big is the tank? what is the size of the engine? How quickly is the gas used up. Describe the role that the sympathetic system plays in maintaining vascular tone. What would you expect to be the earliest manifestation (vital signs) of shock and why?

The human heart can be compared to the engine of a car—both are power units that keep thing moving and supplied with fuel. Your heart works as a pump that pushes blood to the organs, tissues, and cells of your body. The blood pumped by the heart delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell and removes the carbon dioxide and waste products made by those cells. But if blood flow to the heart is slowed or stopped or the heart beats irregularly and you will "stall" like an engine starved of fuel.

There are different kinds of shock....look at this tutorial and see if it helps. Welcome to Critical Care Medicine Tutorials

Cardiogenic Heart failure....pump failure

Septic Shock....distributive failure leaking fuel line

Hypovolemia....no gas in the tank

Now if your fuel pump fails.....your car stalls and dies. If the fuel doesn't get to the engine...your car stalls and dies. If you don't have any gas/empty tank...your car stalls and dies.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Now look at how the heart works.........http://bcove.me/jnmju7ax

and how an engine works http://www.cartalk.com/content/how-does-engine-work

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