...Asthma Case Study Lisa, a four-year-old with status asthmaticus, is admitted from the emergency room via a wheelchair to a medical pediatric unit. She is accompanied by her parents who both have anxious, tense facial expressions. Lisa’s vital signs are T-36.9° C, P- 140 (apical, regular), R 38 (regular but shallow), BP 118/78. She is pale but has no evidence of cyanosis. Her breath sounds are normal in upper lobes, with inspiratory and expiratory wheezing and scatter crackles in all lobes. Breath sounds in lower lobes are diminished. She has moderate intercostal retractions, some nasal flaring, and an occasionally loose, productive cough. Lisa has thin, whitish nasal discharge and tears are dried on her cheeks. She is irritable and appears frightened. Other significant data include: Wt 19 kg, Hemoglobin 12.5, Hematocit 37.3, theophylline level 10.5 mg/dl before treatment in ER. The chest x-ray films show that her lungs are hyper inflated with some infiltrates but no atelectasis or consolidation. Three days ago, Lisa came home from the day care center with the sniffles. By evening, she had rhinorrhea and a cough but no fever. This developed into a head cold. Two days ago, she helped her father rake leaves and then played in the leaves pile with a friend. About noon today, the day care center called Lisa’s mother because she said she couldn’t catch her breath and was tired. At home, Lisa’s mother gave her an Albuterol treatment, which helped for about 30 minutes...
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...patient that frequently visits the emergency room for treatment. He was approached after being discharged from the emergency room following treatment. He was assured that his information would be kept confidential. He consented to the interview and was ready to get started immediately. Demographic Data G.F is a thirty-five year old, African American male who lives in Brooklyn, New York since birth. He has no children and has never been married. He is the only child, lives with his mother, who is 60 years old and two dogs in an apartment. There are other family members such as aunts and uncles but they live in other states. Patient does not work and is currently obtaining assistance from the government (Section 8 – housing, Medicaid, SNAP – food stamps). Perception of Health G.F believes that being healthy means eating ‘good’. In other words, as long as he eats large and is not hungry, he is healthy. The only time he does not feel healthy is when he has an asthma attack. For the most part, he eats pre-packaged foods and drinks soda and juice. He does not exercise or engage in many physical activities other than walking to the store when...
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...In contrast to the solid economic foundation in Cambodia, the political framework was unstable. The government faced erratic government policies and was and was ruled by unpredictable leadership. In 1863, some of the struggles ended when France took over and created its protectorate. Cambodia regained its independence in 1953 from France, while Prince Norodom Sihanouk continued to rule the country as an autocracy until 1970. He was eventually overthrown in 1970 by his prime minister, General Lon Nol and a military government was established. As a reaction to the military rule of Lon Nol, the Khmer Rouge (Red or Communist Cambodians), which were a small group of revolutionaries, waged a war with the army until 1975. Cambodia is located in southeastern Asia where it borders Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. In addition, Cambodia is a worldwide export business that exports items such as rice, cotton, and rubber. The Cambodian official language is Khmer, which is the oldest language with written record of any Southeast Asian language in stone inscriptions dating back to the seventh century. The language contains 66 consonant symbols, 35 vowel symbols, 33 superscripts, and 33 subscripts. For that, Khmer is a very hard and complex written language. Historically, Cambodia was conquered by France. At that time, only the elite people were offered a higher education with the French. Only the poor or rural people used the Khmer language. After 1979 and the end of Pol Pot’s rule, Khmer...
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...LIVING WITH ASTHMA What I Already Knew / What I Wanted to Know “Well, Annie, it looks like you have asthma,” our family physician informed me. I could not believe what I was hearing. I thought that I had been suffering from a very stubborn cold. Questions started going through my head as I listened to Dr. Davis explain my condition. I’m in high school. Aren’t I too old to get asthma now? How can I stay on the softball team? Will I still be able to go on camping and hiking trips with my family? I already knew that asthma is a chronic disease which affects the lungs and that certain medications help control the number and severity of asthma episodes. (That’s when the coughing and wheezing start.) I didn’t know much more than that. I needed to know more about what might trigger an asthma episode. Will I be able to keep up with other players on the softball team? Are there certain types of trees and plants that I should avoid? After much pleading and negotiating on my part, my parents had finally agreed that our family could have a dog. Will I be able to live with it? I made a list of the things I needed to know. From that list, I was able to form my research question: Can I effectively manage my asthma? Later, I was able to form an answer. The Story of My Search My search took about three weeks. I began my research by doing some background reading in the Encarta online encyclopedia. That site provided a definition of the term asthma, information...
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...me, have asthma and that number has increased dramatically in the last 20 years. “ More than 17 million Americans suffer from asthma, with nearly 5 million cases occurring in children under age 18. In the United States, asthma causes 5,500 deaths each year… Among all Americans, the prevalence of asthma increased more than 60 percent between 1982 and 1994.” (1) The management of asthma is a health issue for many people besides me. As a result of my research I have found that I can manage my asthma and live a full, active life by minimizing the effects of environmental factors that can trigger asthma episodes, following my physician’s instructions about medications and by sticking to an exercise program Numerous substances can trigger an asthma attack of coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Allergens constitute the largest category of triggers (Abramowicz). According to Susan Berg, “Allergens are substances that produce an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to them.” Common allergens are pollens from plants, animal dander, dust mites, mold and mildew (23). Dr. Anders said we would do a series of skin tests for allergies right away. If I am allergic to certain triggers, allergy shots will help by desensitizing me to them, making them less likely to trigger an episode (Anders). If I am allergic to certain pollens, I can reduce the chances of an asthma episode by staying indoors when those pollens are in the air. Indoors, I can reduce the risk of...
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...stress, or genetic predisposition to the disease. While there is no cure for eczema, there are ways to treat it. Ointments and medicated salves can help sooth the symptoms, while prescription medications can help manage the dryness and irritation of the skin. Prevention is a best bet for eczema, including moisturizing the skin and avoiding irritants. Eczema affects the stratified squamous epithelium of the skin, and the underlying blood vessels. Causes & Triggers The exact causes of eczema are unknown. You might have inherited a tendency for eczema. You may have a family member who has eczema or who has hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or asthma. Many doctors think eczema causes are linked to allergic disease, such as hay fever or asthma. Doctors call this the atopic triad. Many children with eczema (up to 80%) will develop hay fever and/or asthma. There are many triggers of eczema that can make it flare or get worse. Below are some of the common triggers. You should learn what triggers your eczema to flare, and then try to avoid it. IRRITANTS: Irritants can make your symptoms worse. What irritates you may be different from what irritates someone else with the condition, but could include: • Soaps and detergents, • Shampoos, dish-washing liquids • Bubble Bath • Disinfectants like chlorine • Contact with juices from fresh fruits, meats, vegetables ALLERGENS: If your genes make you more likely to develop atopic eczema, the condition will develop after you are exposed to...
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...Comparison of Ouiser’s asthma symptoms to the asthma severity components listed in the table, lead to her asthma treatment step. This includes asthma symptoms, nighttime wakening, inhaled short-acting beta2 - agonist (SABAs) use for symptom control, the degree of interference of normal activity, and lung function (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2007). Ouiser’s mother reports that she has daily symptoms during soccer practice, placing her in the “persistent asthma” category. The number of nighttime wakening of 2-3 times a week, places her in the “moderate” category of “persistent asthma.” While Ouiser has never used SABAs for symptom control, her symptoms required her to sit out of her soccer games at least once or twice a game, limiting her time on the field, placing her at “Step 3” for her treatment course. The preferred treatment plan for “Step 3” is the use of medium-dose inhaled glucocorticoids (IGC) along with as-needed quick-relief medication such as SABAs for all patients (U.S. Department of...
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...an explanation for the placebo effect. Although many hypotheses exist, there is no one reason defining why or how the placebos work. Some researchers argue that the phenomenon doesn't even occur; that the placebo effect is merely random mistake and that any improvement said to be caused by a placebo is only a spontaneous recovery in the patient's condition. Other scientists argue that Pavlovian conditioning supports an explanation for the effect: If patients have previously shown improvement from being in a medical setting or from taking medicine, they are conditioned to experience positive effects every time they are in the same situation. A second explanation for the placebo effect is that any drug (or placebo) given to a patient will reduce their stress levels. Because many illnesses begin under high-stress circumstances, or exhibit more extreme symptoms under stressful situations, many of the patient's symptoms are likely to improve. The first question that must be answered before researching into the expectations behind the placebo effect is whether or not the wonder even exists. Certain physicians and scientists claim that "positive effects" of a placebo are, in reality, just the body's natural ways of healing itself and the immune system's defenses kicking in soon after the placebo is taken. Basically, these researchers argue that improvement in a patient's condition after being administered a placebo is only an accident. Negative effects that are often blamed on placebos...
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...Why You Should Adopt a Dog Throughout history, we have found evidence that dogs played a very special role in the lives of their human companions. Dogs have left their paw prints throughout time, even in ancient civilizations. Artists have displayed paintings and drawings, showing the bond of man and his oldest companion, the dog. Ancient burial sites displayed evidence of human love for their dogs. Canine skeletal remains, were often seen with their human remains. Many ancient graves were found to have dogs buried alongside their human, with treats, providing them with a little something to snack on in the afterlife. This evidence proves man’s best friend is not a 20th century ideal, but can be traced back thousands of years. (Lobell, J. A., & Powell, E. 2010) I have such a love for dogs, and am the proud owner of 6 rescue dogs, ages one to seventeen. I had a dog as a child, and she started the love story that I have today with my canine partners. I believe this is God’s second best creation, (behind man) and at times, I feel they are His best. I adopted my first dog from the ASPCA in New York City. Micky was an abused Poodle mix, and became my first dogs as an adult. I always loved dogs, but after adopting Micky, I became an advocate for rescue, and adoption. My life was forever changed. The sad statistics show close to 2.7million cats and dogs are killed each year in our animal shelters across the US. Many people have found it necessary to surrender their pets when...
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...cholesterol levels, better psychological health, lower heart attack rates, higher survival rates, enhanced self-esteem and social interaction. So as people take care of their companion animals, the animals are in turn taking care of their owners. Dog owners would tell you how their best friend would snuggle up close to them for comfort and follow them everywhere and know well their routines such as feeding time and the time when their owners return from work. Experts say that pets are very therapeutic and can even prolong the lives of a human being, especially elderly or these widowed and living alone. Among the several emotional and physical benefits of owning a pet, these animals can form very close bonds with their human owners and in fact dogs are even known as men's best friend. Primarily, owning a pet serves as a wonderful way to rediscover a sense of purpose. It helps people feel needed and wanted. After all, most people can’t help but smile when their dog greets them with their tail wagging or their cat curls up cozily on their lap. Providing for an animal’s needs by going to the pet store or taking a dog for a walk helps reduce seniors’ social isolation by encouraging them to get out into the world. They may meet new friends at a dog park or at the pet store when they go to buy more...
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...Questions and Discussion 1. Explain the basis of Josh’s chest tightness and radiographic findings. Due to his asthma Josh’s airways can become inflamed and the smooth muscle constricted, this can resulting in negative pressure in the airways during inspiration and positive pressure during expiration causing a narrowing of the airways. Air can become trapped in the lungs due to the narrowing of the airways resulting in an increased residual lung volume at the end of expiration. A high residual lung volume causes the muscles to work harder and therefore chest tightness can be felt. The high residual lung volume can also account for the hyperinflation of lungs which was seen on Josh’s radiograph, the peribronchial inflammation in asthma causes bronical marking around the airways, which occurs when excess mucus builds up in the small airway passages of the lungs. 2. Explain the failure of Josh’s asthma to improve despite frequent use of bronchodilators, and his response to steroid therapy. Bronchodilators simply cause the smooth tissue to relax, allow the airways in the lungs to open up, but in severe/ chronic cases of allergic asthma there are multiple symptoms other than constriction of the smooth muscles. Patients with chronic allergic asthma also experience production of excess mucus and...
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...stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (Negative Effects of Cigarette Smoke or Secondhand Smoke). While smoking when pregnant the mother is putting over 4,000 chemicals into their bloodstream, about 60 of those chemicals can cause cancer (How smoking during pregnancy affects you and your baby). Babies get all their oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream, and with all those chemicals in the bloodstream, the baby will not be healthy (How smoking during pregnancy affects you and your baby). When the nicotine and carbon monoxide mix together they reduce the oxygen that is going to the baby (How...
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...P2 Explain different sociological approaches to health and ill health There are different approaches to health and ill health in sociology, and these include Functionalism, Marxism, Feminism and Interactionism. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1974 defines positive health as a state of complete physical mental, social, spiritual and well-being not merely the absence of disease. The holistic approach is based on addressing the individual’s physical, social, emotional and spiritual health needs. The functionalist approach to health and ill health In the functionalist model, Parsons argued that illness is a form of deviance that disturbs the social function of a society; within the functionalist approach to health it studies the relationship between a sick individual and the society as a whole. Parsons stated that for the society to function efficiently the members of the society must be free from illness and must be of well health. Functionalists argued that stability and cooperation are very crucial for a society to function efficiently; functionalists explain that through the process of socialisation we learn our society’s general norms, values and social roles. An example of this is, saying “thank you or please” these are some of the values that are treasured within societies, and an example of a social role would be a grandmother fulfilling the role as a grandmother. For the grandmother to fulfil her role, the individual has to look after the grandchildren so...
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... then another touches the same surface, and another and another, until it spreads Then everyone brings that home. They touch cabinets, open drawers, pet their dogs or cats, use the television remote, and the germs continue to spread....
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...conditions. Acetaminophen is considered one of the potent drugs because you do not need prescription to get it. So, a lot of people use it for suicide, taking an excessive amount. The overdosing of acetaminophen can cause highly liver damage. Acetaminophen is continuously damaging the environment as an organic pollutant causing a lot of environmental issues. In scientific research, they have found acetaminophen levels in the streams only in low amounts. Acetaminophen is not only used by human beings, it is also used in animals such as cats, dogs and snakes and they can be lethal to animals. During pregnancy, women are not supposed to ingest any kind of medicine that contains acetaminophen because it is harmful for the fetus. It is proven that when pregnant women ingest any type or kind of acetaminophen it does not go directly to the fetus ductus. What acetaminophen do during pregnancy if ingested, it can cause the baby to be born with asthma. Some overdoses are potentially dangerous and can cause death. Some overdoses are low and you will have to do a cleanup. In conclusion, acetaminophen...
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