Question

The nurse recognizes that which patient condition is associated with a sweat chloride level of 75 mmol/l and chromosome 7 mutation's effect on the development of bone?

Answer 1

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene in chromosome 7. This disorder mostly affects the lungs, and may affect other organs such as liver, kidneys, intestines, and pancreas as well.

Patients mostly suffer from difficulty breathing, frequent lung infections, and from a buildup of thick mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Patients with CF often have "salty skin," with sweat chloride levels greater than 60 mmol/L (in comparison to the normal concentrations of <40 mmol/L).