Pathophys Wk 3
The initial post must include responses to all the questions in this discussion.
Mr. J, age 42, is a construction worker in Las Vegas who lives with his daughter and grandson, Sammy. He recently noticed that a mole on his face seemed to be getting larger and darker.
At first, he did not worry because he was in the sun a lot and assumed the change may have been caused by sunburn. After a month, not only was the mole larger and darker, but it appeared to be “bumpy.” His doctor diagnosed a malignant melanoma skin cancer following biopsy of the nevus. Mr. J reports pain in his right shin that does not go away when he puts his feet up or sleeps.
Discussion Questions
Relate Mr. J’s skin changes to the warning signs for malignant melanoma.
Discuss the normal progression of this malignancy. What is the significance of the bone pain that Mr. J is experiencing?
Discuss the treatment available for this patient and the prognosis for recovery.
Discussion Questions
Mr. J is babysitting his grandson Sammy, age 3 years, who ate his dinner and then said his tummy hurt. Mr. J suggested he lie down in the adjacent room while his parents finished dinner. A few minutes later, Mr. J heard Sammy vomiting.
He rushed in to lift Sammy up. When vomiting ceased, he noticed Sammy continued to cough and seemed to be choking. He was struggling to breathe, and a wheezing sound was obvious. It appeared that he had aspirated some vomitus. Mr. J drove him to a nearby hospital for examination.
Discuss the specific effects of aspirating vomitus on Sammy, including the probable effects on his bronchi and lungs. Why might one lung be affected more than the other?
Discuss the pathophysiologic changes causing the signs and symptoms and any tests required to clarify the effects on Sammy.
Suggest some reasons for Sammy’s difficulty breathing and wheezing.
Discuss the potential complications of aspiration of vomitus.
Weekly Outcomes Weekly Objectives
Articulate alterations in structure and function of the respiratory and integumentary systems. (CO 1)
Trace the impact that alterations in the respiratory and integumentary systems have on the body. (CO 2)
Summarize the impact of alterations in the respiratory and integumentary systems on homeostasis. (CO 3)
Understand normal respiratory and integumentary system disorders.
Compare and contrast common respiratory and integumentary disorders: causes, clinical manifestations, diagnostic tests, and treatments.
Apply understanding of alterations in respiratory and integumentary systems across the lifespan to formulate care priorities.
Examine responses to aging and its impact on pathophysiologic changes in the respiratory and integumentary systems.
Describe how heredity and genetics influence pathophysiological alterations in the cardiovascular and integumentary systems.
Examine factors leading to cancers of the respiratory and integumentary systems.
Main Topics and Concepts Sub-Concepts with Exemplar
Alterations in the respiratory system: Oxygenation
Pathological processes in structures and functions
Cancers of the respiratory system
Pathophysiologic respiratory system response to aging
Genetic influences on respiratory system pathology
Alterations in the integumentary system (skin disorders)
Pathological processes of the integumentary system
Cancers of the integumentary system
Genetic influences on the integumentary system
Oxygenation: Upper (Infectious Rhinitis) respiratory condition; Lower respiratory conditions (Pneumonias); atelectasis; pneumothorax
Genetics: Cystic fibrosis and congenital heart defects/anomalies
Acid-Base Imbalance: Arterial blood gases
Acute versus Chronic conditions: Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS), Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and Asthma (single episode), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Cellular adaptation: Lung cancer
Immunity: Inflammatory skin disorders
Infection: wounds; abscess; viral and fungal rashes
Inflammation: skin infection; skin irritation
