Pathophysiology Assessment Case Study

Introduction

Jennifer is a child with symptoms of a condition that appears to be tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is usually either a viral or bacterial infection. Considering her young age, her tonsils, which are part of the immune system, may be adversely affected. It may also lead to pharyngitis. Fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach area, and swollen tonsils are some of the most common symptoms. Jack, on the other hand, is not taking the necessary precautionary measures to protect himself from the burns and corrosions that characterize chemical manufacturing. He seems to have dermatitis, whose symptoms are stiff skins, burns, swelling, and blistering. Martha has developed Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, a side effect of taking certain drugs. It may also be possible that her lower esophageal sphincter is weak, enabling the easier occurrence of GERD.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Scenario 1

Based on the clinical manifestations and the signs and symptoms presented by Jennifer in this case, there is a likelihood of the patient suffering from tonsillitis. Tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the tonsils. This condition is most common among children in the age bracket that this patient is encoded. Tonsils are considered as a pair of masses of tissue that are located on either side of the throat dorsal part (McCance & Huether, 2015). The tonsils are often part of the immune system that helps in the fight against infections and diseases in the body. The case of tonsils is often linked to the cases of pharyngitis especially among the children.

The case on tonsils can be caused by a number of issues. However, the most common cause is the viral infections. It can also be caused from bacterial infections. Other causes of the condition include cancer infections, stomach acids present in the throat, some irritants such as smoking and air pollution. The condition can as well be caused by the infections of the sinus, bacteria such as Strep of the throat (Carmelli, Surles & Brown, 2018). Fungi infections such as those linked to yeast production can bring the onset of the condition. Some of the signs and symptoms of this condition include the aspects of sore throat ear pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, red swollen throat and tonsils, trouble in breathing and snoring, and pain in the belly.

Diagnosis of this condition can be achieved through the detection of the signs and symptoms. It can as well be done through the rapid strep test. This procedure is done to ascertain the presence of Strep of the throat. Treatment can be done by the administration of antibiotics for the bacterial infections (Carmelli, Surles & Brown, 2018). Such remedies include the taking of acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and improving the fluid intake by the child.

Scenario 2

Based on the case here, Jack seems to be exposed to the effects of abrasive solvents and chemicals from his place of work because he seems to be working without his gloves. This exposure must have brought about the problem of contact dermatitis. The type of contact dermatitis in this case is the irritant type. This type of the condition is associated with symptoms such as blistering, swelling, stiff skin that is often very tight, ulcerations, cracking taking place because of excessive dry skin, presence of open sores on the skin that form crusts (McCance & Huether, 2015). The condition of dermatitis is often caused by the contact of the skin by abrasive chemicals and substances just as in the case with Jack. Jack exposed his hands to the abrasive solvents and chemicals while at his place of work.

The diagnosis of the condition can be done by taking a thorough medical history of the patient and examination of the skin. The examination here reveals the onset of the symptoms, prognosis of these symptoms. The diagnosis also involves the detection of the products used during his place of work and issue pertaining to the place of residence. Some other allergy tests can be performed by the dermatologist. One of the most common tests done in this case is the patch test to help ascertain the exact type of chemical causing the irritation on the skin. The treatment of this condition depends with the cause of the problem. Mostly, the condition can be controlled by avoiding the chemicals causing the irritation (Font et al., 2018). Otherwise some antibiotics can be administers to help control the itching. The patient is advised not to scratch the itching parts of the skin. The patient can as well apply some petroleum jelly on the skin and also use anti itch medications such as the calamine lotion and hydrocortisone creams.

Scenario 3

Martha in this case seems to suffering from the side effects of the medication she had been undergoing. The medical side effects are especially of the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). GERD refers to the returning of the stomach contents of the stomach into the esophageal tract. Under the conventional process of digestion, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) releases its muscles to allow food get into the stomach and then tightens the muscles to prevent these foods from returning back into the esophageal tract (McCance & Huether, 2015). GERD then takes place when the LES is not functioning properly thus allowing foods to flow back to the esophagus.

There exist a link between the Hiatal hernia and GERD as in the case with Martha. Medics believe that Hiatal hernia can contribute to the weakening of the LES and thus escalate the chances of GERD. Hiatal hernia takes place when the stomach moves in an upward motion into the chest by the opening present in the diaphragm. The diaphragm helps in the supporting of the lower part of the esophagus. Individuals with problems with the Hiatal hernia tend to experience episodes of heart burns (Kellokumpu & Sihvo, 2018). However, having the problem of Hiatal hernia may allow the contents of the stomach to reflux easily into the parts of the esophagus. This principle explains the issue bewildering Martha in this scenario.

Conclusion

In conclusion the environment, age, and the ability of one's organs to withstand threats contributes to the likelihood of developing certain conditions. Jennifer's age influences the diagnosis of her condition, since children her age are prone to tonsillitis. The rapid strep test can aid in the diagnosis of tonsillitis. Curing the condition involves the use of such medication as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, while ensuring the child has regular uptake of sufficient fluids. Jack's work environment increases the prospect of burning from the acids. Prevention, through wearing gloves, for instance, would have been more effective. Martha possibly has a weak LES, caused by hiatal hernia. The combination of these two factors increases the chances of developing GERD, the entry of stomach contents into the esophagus.

References

Carmelli, G., Surles, T., & Brown, A. (2018). Endophthalmitis and Mycotic Aneurysm: The Only Clues to Underlying Endocarditis. Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine, 0 (0).

Font, M. M., Rubio, S. M., Cordon, L. P., Bernadas, L. C., & Salsench, L. R. (2018). 5PSQ-088 Pathophysiology of oropharyngeal dysphagia in dementia patients taking antipsychotics using a video fluoroscopy study.

Kellokumpu, I., & Sihvo, E. (2018). Quality of Life Following Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery for Primary and Recurrent Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. In Hiatal Hernia Surgery(pp. 281-301). Springer, Cham.

McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2015). Pathophysiology-E-Book: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Elsevier Health Sciences.