Alterations in Cellular Processes (Coursework Sample)

            Scenario 4 Case Study Student's Name Institution Affiliation Course Instructor Date           The scenario selected is scenario 4 of, a 27-year-old patient with a history of substance abuse is found unresponsive by emergency medical services (EMS) after being called by the patient's roommate. The roommate states that he does not know how long the patient had been lying there. Patient received Naloxone in the field and has become responsive. He complains of burning pain over his left hip and forearm. Evaluation in the ED revealed a large amount of necrotic tissue over the greater trochanter as well as the forearm. EKG demonstrated prolonged PR interval and peaked T waves. Serum potassium level 6.9 mEq/L. The role genetics plays in the disease. There are various facts in the case study that help in the identification of the role of genetics in the disease. After the administration of Naloxone, the patient responds; thus, this indicates that the patient presents with opioid drug abuse (Woody et al., 2021). Also, the patient has rhabdomyolysis due to the restrained blood supply to the various parts that help in autolysis. Genetics plays an essential role in addiction. As a result, the individual, in this case, is at high risk of substance abuse depending on the relationship between genetics and addiction. The gene that plays a significant role in opiate addiction is the D2 subtype. After consuming drugs or alcohol, the brain is stimulated and produces dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of reward and pleasure (Esch et al., 2020). The D2 subtype responds in that individuals with a stronger compulsion of alcohol or substances will consume them in more significant amounts.   Explain Why You Think the Patient Presented the Symptoms The patient was unresponsive due to the opiate overdose. The patient had received Naloxone in the field and had become responsive. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects resulting from an opioid overdose (Woody et al., 2021). Opioids tend to slow the breathing rate, and an overdose may result in respiratory depression. The depression of the respiratory center gradually reduces the breathing rate until the occurrence of respiratory failure. The increased amount of necrotic over the greater trochanter left hip as well as the forearm was likely due to the fall after the patient lost consciousness. The patient is more likely to develop rhabdomyolysis due to muscle injury due to the fall. The high potassium levels contributed to the peaked T waves and the prolonged PR levels. The elevation of potassium was an indication of muscle damage.  The physiologic response to the stimulus presented in the scenario and why you think this response occurred The patient was unresponsive due to opioid overdose and became responsive after receiving Naloxone since it is a non-selective as well as a competitive opioid receptor antagonist that reverses the central nervous system depression as well as the respiratory system caused by the opioids (Woody et al., 2021). The release of potassium from the damaged muscles causes hyperkalemia.  The cells that are involved in this process The cells that are involved in this process include the muscle cells. Rhabdomyolysis involves the muscle cell breakdown, particularly the skeletal muscle (Elder et al., 2022). In the given case, the patient's unresponsiveness, as well as the presence of the necrotic tissue over the forearm and the greater trochanter, indicate muscle cell damage. The other cells are the kidney cells. In this case, the increased levels of potassium released during the rhabdomyolysis could be harmful to the kidneys (Hebert et al., 2022).  How another characteristic (example gender, genetics) would change your response The patient's gender and genetics might influence the presentation and reaction to rhabdomyolysis and hyperkalemia. As for gender, the r...