Reference no: EM133215727

Question: Respond to the follow classmates post about Mr Smith. What have you learned from their perspectives on the case? Has it changed the way in which you view the case? In what way?

What are your initial reactions and observations of the case?

My initial reaction would be wanting to know the timeline for these symptoms and being curious about his blood work. He mentioned having generalized abdominal pain, especially during the physical exam. He had pain during palpitation on his left upper quadrant. In this area, some effects could be on his liver, gallbladder, and right kidney. I thought it could be that Mr. Smith has a liver issue caused by his alcohol intake, which could explain the color of his skin and pale nail beds. However, he only drinks once monthly, which wouldn't warrant a drinking problem. It was helpful knowing more about his medical history to help determine the proper treatment for Mr. Smith's condition.

Mr. Smith was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia. He has an ulcer in the medial side of his ankle. How would the condition of the red cells contribute to what the patient suffers from?

An ulcer is an open sore found internally or externally on the body. Mr. Smith has an ulcer on the medial side of his ankle, which is an external sore. Ulcers can form if there is a bacterial infection and can be treated with antibiotics and wound care. Red blood cells have platelets needed for forming fibrin threads, known as scabs. Since Sickle Cells do not live as long as normal blood cells, it can cause complications or prolong the treatment for Mr. Smith.

How would you describe inflammation? How do you recognize that Mr. Smith has an inflammatory response? Is inflammation always bad? Do you know of any white cell disease that reduces our inflammatory response?

Inflammation is the body's alarm of redness, pain, or swelling. I recognized Mr. Smith's inflammation was present within the ulcer and supported during the examination, which concluded with heat surrounding the lesion. The examination also mentions the erythematous area, which is familiar with inflammation. The description also mentioned that Mr. Smith had a fever before the medical office, which is a way of knowing some inflammation was present throughout the body.

Mr. Smith is allergic to penicillin and iodine. What do you know about allergies? What type of hypersensitivity is it?

I know penicillin is a very common antibiotic, and Iodine is used as an antiseptic. If Mr. Smith is allergic to these, it may make the treatment for his ulcer challenging and wound care difficult. Allergies are a way of the body reacting to a foreign substance. This reaction can be expressed by fever, hives, swelling, or itchiness. I would say this is a type 3 hypersensitivity since it is reacting to the immune system.

Mr. Smith's mother had a right radical mastectomy due to breast cancer. How would you define a malignant tumor? How would you differentiate a cancerous tumor from a benign tumor?

A malignant tumor is when the cells rapidly grow uncontrollably. These cells invade surrounding tissues and organs and can spread throughout the body. When the tumor is benign, the cells do not invade surrounding tissue or organs and do not invade other parts of the body. The difference would be malignant spreads, and benign does not.