Function test

Question 1

Function Tests

Answer 1

• Force organs to demonstrate how well they function – by testing actual function, may discover abnormalities hidden in other clinical data.
• Four types of Function tests: GI, kidney, endocrine, and liver

Question 2

GI function test

Answer 2

A. Test for suspected malabsorption
B. Can differentiate intestinal malassimilation (inability of GI tract to digest
and/or absorb ingested nutrients) from pancreatic insufficiency.
C. Fecal Examination

Question 3

Fecal Examination

Answer 3

1. Steatorrhea – increased fat
2. Amylorrhea = increased starch
3. Creatorrhea = fecal muscle fibers
4. Fecal Occult Blood

Question 4

Steatorrhea

Answer 4

– increased fat

a. Sudan’s Solution = red-orange globules
b. Bulky, pale, malodorous stool
c. Severe pancreatic insufficiency of lipase

Question 5

Amylorrhea

Answer 5

= increased starch

a. Lugol’s solution = blue/black granules
b. Pancreatic amylase insufficiency
c. Not a sensitive test for pancreatic malfunction

Question 6

Creatorrhea

Answer 6

= fecal muscle fibers

a. Blunt ends and prominent cross striations
b. Product of deficient protein digestion

Question 7

Fecal Occult Blood

Answer 7

a. Melena = blood from high up in digestive tract.
Black tarry feces
b. Hematochezia = frank fecal blood

Question 8

Kidney function test

Answer 8

A. Water Deprivation Test
B. If water is withheld from the body, urine should be concentrated.
C. Feedback loop of water conservation: Vasopressin (Antidiuretic hormone – ADH) from the hypothalamus signals kidneys to retain water.

Question 9

Water Deprivation Test

Answer 9

1. Withhold food and water, collect urine and weigh animal hourly
2. End test when animal has lost 5% of body weight. 3-18 hours
3. Collect final urine sample, check specific gravity

Question 10

Cortisol

Answer 10

– glucocorticoid – affects glucose metabolism, protein and fat levels

a. Inhibits synthesis of protein by liver = increased amino acids in the blood stream
b. Promotes release of fatty acids from adipose = increase in use of fat as E source, decrease use of glucose as E
c. Stimulates liver to form E from non-carbohydrate sources – I.e. using glycogen an glucagons
d. Helps keep blood glucose levels within normal range between meals

Question 11

Feedback loop of cortisol production

Answer 11

Hypothalamus-> Corticotropin Releasing Factor -> Anterior Pituitary -> ACTH -> Adrenal Gland ->Cortisol -> Hypothalamus

Question 12

Cushing’s disease

Answer 12

Increased cortisol release = Cushing’s = adrenohyperfunction

Question 13

Addison’s disease

Answer 13

Decreased cortisol release = Addison’s = adrenohypofunction

Question 14

Cushing’s Symptoms

Answer 14

muscle/bone wasting, increased blood glucose, increased sodium, water retention, pendulous abdomen, abdominal hair loss

Question 15

Addison’s Symptoms

Answer 15

hypoglycemia, dehydration, decreased sodium, decreased blood pressure, increased skin pigmentation

Question 16

Causes/Treatments of Cushing’s

Answer 16

a) Adrenal tumor
b) Oversecretion of ACTH
c) Iatrogenic
d) Treatment = lysodrens

Question 17

Causes/Treatments of Addison’s

Answer 17

a) adrenal gland atrophy (immune mediated, exogenous steroid
therapy stopping, or lysodren over usage (iatrogenic)
b) Treatment: Steroids

Question 18

ACTH Response Test

Answer 18

1) Rationale assumes adrenal gland will respond to ACTH stimulation by glucocorticoid release in proportion to gland size and development
Hyperplastic = Exaggerated response
Hypoplastic = Decreased response
2) Screening Test

Question 19

Protocol of ACTH stem test

Answer 19

a) Resting cortisol sample (RTT – 1.5 ml serum)
b) Inject ACTH IM
c) Resting cortisol sample Time between injection and sample
vary: 8 hours – horse, 2 hours – dogs, 1 hour - cats