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Biology Medical Terms: Patient Scenario Assignment Paper (Essay Sample)

Instructions:

Mr. Smith is 60 years old. He was diagnosed with a prostate cancer five years ago. Over the past few days, Mr. Smith has been feeling weak and increasingly tired and has also been suffering from a headache that did not respond to over-the-counter medications. He scheduled an appointment with his physician. His physician performed a physical examination and recommended a battery of laboratory tests and imaging procedures. 
The table below shows Reference values in the right-hand column. These values reflect the normal range of values for patients without disease or illness. The center column reflects the resulting values for medical test results obtained for Mr. Smith. Take note whether Mr. Smith’s values are within normal limits. 
After receiving Mr. Smith’s test results, his physician admits him to the hospital. Hospital staff treated him and discharged him. The following week, Mr. Smith returns to his physician with the same complaint of weakness and a new complaint of shortness of breath. His blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg. MRI reveals metastasis of prostate cancer to osseous tissue. Abdominal CT shows obstruction of intestine due to nodular enlargement of adrenal glands. 
Laboratory results from Mr. Smith’s second hospital admission and medical tests show following findings: 
Mr. Smith Reference Values K+ 2.6 mmol/L  3.8-4.9mmol/L Hb (Hemoglobin) 7.5 g/dL   13.8 to 18.2 g/dL Hct (Hematocrit) 20.4% 45-52% Platelet Count 49x10^9/L 150-400x10^9/L
CONCLUSION AND DIAGNOSIS Laboratory findings, MRI and CT confirmed metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma, hypertension and refractory hypokalemia due to ectopic ACTH production. High levels of circulating cortisol caused continuous activation of mineralocorticoid receptors resulting in hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis and hypertension.
Mr. Smith Reference Values K+ 2.6 mmol/L 3.8-4.9mmol/L Hb 7.3 g/dl 13.8 to 18.2 g/dL Hct 20.4% 45-52% Platelet Count 20x10^9/L 150-400x10^9/L HCO3 38 mmol/l 22-26 mmol/L Urinary K+ 70 mmol/L/24 hr 25-120 mmol/L/ 24 hr Blood Glucose 460 mg/dl 64.8-104.4 mg/dL Serum Aldosterone 1 ng/dl   24 hour Urinary Aldosterone 8.4 mcg/24 hr 2.3-21.0 mcg/24 hr Renin 2.1 ng/ml/hr 0.65-5.0 ng/ml/hr ACTH (Adrenocorticotr opic Hormone) 1082 pg/ml 9-46 pg/ml Cortisol 155.5 microg/ dL 0-25 microg/dL
After reading provided scenario, answer the following questions:

source..
Content:

Patient Scenario
Name:
Institution:
1. What are the components of physical examination? Describe each component.
Components for physical examination are K+, Hb (Haemoglobin), Hct (hematocrit), and Platelet Count. K+ tests are used to determine potassium levels in blood as they cause or affect conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and kidney disease. Haemoglobin test is used to check for hematocrit and anemia. The test is used to monitor, screen numerous diseases and conditions that affect the amount of haemoglobin in blood or red blood cells. Hematocrit test is used to establish the ratio of one’s blood that is composed of red blood cells to check or diagnose for conditions or diseases that affect red blood cells; usually when polycythemia or anemia are suspected. Platelet count is a test used to diagnose, monitor, or screen for conditions that affect the count of platelets in the blood (American Association for Clinical Chemistry, 2015).
2. Mr. Smith’s blood pressure was 160/100 mmHg. How does a medical provider take or
measure blood pressure? What do the top (numerator) and bottom (denominator) numbers
mean in the biological sense? What is the significance the size of these two numbers? Is Mr.
Smith’s blood pressure within normal range? Explain how you concluded whether Mr. Smith’s
blood pressure is/is not within normal range.
An instrument called sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure. A special cuff is wrapped around one’s arm, the inflated with a pump until circulation stops. A small valve is then applied in deflating the cuff as the physician uses a stethoscope to listen to pulses in the arteries. The top number (systolic) measures the pressure in the arteries when the cardiac muscles contract. The lower number (diastolic) measures the pressure in the arteries when the cardiac muscles are resting between heartbeats thus refilling blood to the heart. Blood pressure exceeding 140/90 is called hypertension or high blood pressure; while below 90/60 is called hypotension. Hypertension can cause kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. On the other hand, hypotension can lead to shock, fainting, and dizziness (Iliades, 2009). Mr. Smith’s blood pressure is 160/100 mmHg which falls outside the normal range. The measurements lie outside the normal blood pressure ranges which is 140/90 mmHg – 90/60 mmHg (Iliades, 2009).
3. Based on the data provided, what laboratory tests were performed and what samples were
taken from the patient? Select one of the laboratory tests ordered for Mr. Smith and discuss
why Mr. Smith’s physician might have ordered the test and the information she might have
expected to obtain from that particular test.
Laboratory tests performed were: K+, Hb, Hct, Platelet Count, HCO3, Urinary K+, Blood Glucose, Serum Aldosterone, 24 hour Urinary Aldosterone, Renin, ACTH (Adrenocorticotr opic Hormone), and Cortisol. Samples taken were blood, urine, and saliva. Haemoglobin test might have been ordered because Mr. Smith complained of feeling weak and extremely tired. Expected results were that he is anemic or with a low count of red blood cells.
4. Compare Mr. Smith’s values with reference values and indicate whether MR. Smith’s values
are below, above, or within normal range (compare Mr. Smith’s values with the Reference
values) for each laboratory tests in the table above from the second set of tests.
K+ results are below the reference values, haemoglobin results are below the reference values, hematocrit results are below the reference values, and platelet count below the reference values.
5. What imaging procedures did Mr. Smith undergo? Discuss the distinctions and similarities
between the two different imaging approaches. What were the results of imaging procedures in
Mr. Smith’s case?
Imaging procedures undertaken were MRI and Abdominal CT scan. A CT scanner operates by sending X-ray beams through the body as it gyrates around an arc taking pictures. The scan can see through varying levels of tissues and density inside a solid organ. It provides information in detail about the body. Advanced CT scans ensure higher resolution images, faster scanning...
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