Select one of the case studies below for your assignment. In your discussion, be sure to discuss developing collaborative relationships with clients when teaching concepts concerning pathological states to individuals and families.
Make sure all of the topics in the case study have been addressed.
Cite at least three references in your case study paper; this may include peer-reviewed journal articles, textbooks, or evidence-based practice websites to support the content.
All reference sources must be within 5 years.
Do not use sources such as Wikipedia or UpToDate as a reference.
Assignments must have at least four full pages of analytic content, double-spaced (the cover and reference pages do not count in the page count, but must be included with the assignment), and follow APA 7th edition format.
Case Study 1: Disorders of Hepatobiliary and Exocrine Pancreas Function
Robert is a 68-year-old who has dealt with alcoholism for over 30 years. He has cirrhosis and is anemic. His appetite has declined, and he regularly complains of abdominal pain. Recently, while preparing himself a sandwich, he cut his finger deeply with a knife. The wound bled profusely, and he used a kitchen towel to stop the flow. Refusing to go and seek medical assistance, he put ice on his finger and wrapped the towel around it. He sat down in his recliner with his hand over his head and fell asleep.
Anemia and clotting disorders are common features of alcoholic liver disease. What are the mechanisms that cause these hematologic disorders?
What gastrointestinal bleed is associated with a high mortality rate in those with advanced cirrhosis? What is the pathophysiology of this condition?
Acute pancreatitis is sometimes seen in alcoholics, particularly after binge drinking. Why are tachycardia and hypotension indications of this condition?
Why are women more predisposed to alcoholic liver disease than men?
Case Study 2: Somatosensory Function, Pain, Headache, and Temperature Regulation
Ramandeep is an active 23-year-old. She works as a part-time nurse during the day and is studying for a postgraduate certificate in the evening. Ramandeep started to wear a bite plate at night after she began to experience jaw pain and headaches. Sometimes the pain radiated to her ear, and she would apply a hot water bottle to it to ease the discomfort. It was not until her husband mentioned to her that he heard her grinding her teeth at night while she was sleeping. She knew then that her headaches might be from temporomandibular joint syndrome, and she went to her dentist to confirm her thoughts. In addition to the bite plate, the dentist also recommended she should continue with the application of heat, use NSAIDs when needed, and incorporate regular relaxation exercises throughout her stressful days.
What effect does heat have on nociceptors so that it makes a good nonpharmacologic treatment for pain?
Heat and cold treatment are both hypothesized to have an effect on the release of endogenous opioids. What are these chemicals, and why are they hypothesized to be beneficial in the body?
Using your knowledge of physiology, how do NSAID analgesics function in the management of pain?
Case Study 3: Disorders of Visual Function
Phil is a 54-year-old with type 2 diabetes. After he was initially diagnosed with the condition, his physician referred him to an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination. Phil had been struggling with the lifestyle changes he was required to make. He was able to return to a healthy weight with physical exercise and dietary changes, but he worked long hours and ate poorly when on business trips. Phil missed his second annual checkup with his ophthalmologist because of such a trip. When he finally made it in, she examined him and stated there was no evidence of small retinal hemorrhages and cotton-wool exudates. She emphasized his need to reduce his hypertension and hyperlipidemia and wrote up a report for his physician.
How do visual disturbances arise from background and proliferative retinopathy?
How might blindness occur with a prolonged detached retina? Explain using your knowledge of pathophysiology.
What are the similarities and differences between traction retinal detachment and rhegmatogenous detachment?
Case Study 4: Mechanisms of Endocrine Control
Leda is a 38-year-old woman who began to experience weight gain, mood swings, and weakness. When her periods became irregular, she went to her physician. Leda’s physician heard the symptoms Leda was concerned about and then ordered a 24-hour free cortisol urine test and an overnight dexamethasone suppression test and measured her serum ACTH levels. The results indicated that Leda had Cushing disease, a condition caused by the hypersecretion of ACTH by the anterior pituitary and resulting in elevated cortisol levels. To confirm the diagnosis, Leda’s physician ordered a cranial MRI to identify the presence of a pituitary tumor.
