Use the following information to formulate your analysis
Maria Lopez is a 16-year-old Hispanic female who presents to the clinic accompanied by her mother.
HPI: Persistent wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and intermittent coughing that worsens during the night and with physical activity. These symptoms have occurred consistently for over a month. Her mother reports that Maria has missed several school days and has declining grades, attributed to fatigue and disrupted sleep. Maria mentions
waking up “gasping” several nights a week.
She reports recent nasal congestion and sore throat, with an oxygen saturation of 94% on room air.
The family lives in a small, poorly ventilated apartment in an urban area with high traffic pollution. A wood-burning stove is used for heating. Two household members smoke indoors. Although Maria is a nonsmoker, she reports that her symptoms worsen after time spent in common areas.
Maria was diagnosed with asthma at age 8 but has had inconsistent follow-up. She was last prescribed a rescue inhaler over a year ago. She has not been prescribed a maintenance (LABA) medication. Her family primarily speaks Spanish, and her mother struggles with medical terminology and care coordination. They rely on urgent care when symptoms worsen.
Physical Exam: Audible wheezing, mild intercostal retractions, and a prolonged expiratory phase. A peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is 60% of her personal best.
Develop a 1- to 2-page case study analysis, examining the patient symptoms presented in the case study.
Explain pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the patient symptoms and why patient is susceptible to more frequent infections.
Explain the pulmonary pathophysiologic processes of how smoking can lead to the changes seen in the lungs.
Explain any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning.
Explain factors in the patient's history and lifestyle that could have contributed to the development of COPD.
Explain pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the patient symptoms and why patient is susceptible to more frequent infections.
Explain the pulmonary pathophysiologic processes of how smoking can lead to the changes seen in the lungs.
Explain any racial/ethnic variables that may impact physiological functioning. --- Explain factors in the patient's history and lifestyle that could have contributed to the development of COPD.