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5.1 Intro to the Digestive System

Last updated over 3 years ago
11 questions
You are an ER doctor that is working the night shift and are presented with several patients over the course of your shift. Your job is report out at the end of the shift with your findings, including information about each of the patients you have seen. With every case study, there are questions that need answering in order for you to educate the next shift
Patient 1- Valeria

Valeria, a twenty-one year old student at Iowa State University had spent Thanksgiving day with relatives at her grandparent’s farm. During her drive back to campus on Friday morning her vision became blurry, and she was forced to pull over to the side of the road. As she sat in her car, her vision worsened. She opened the car hood in hope of attracting aid and tried to relax. In a short time, a highway patrol officer pulled over and approached Valeria. By this time, Valeria was having trouble swallowing and speaking clearly. The officer helped Valeria to his car and rushed her to the emergency room at a nearby hospital.

In the ER, Valeria is able to describe her symptoms to you. You make note of what Valeria had eaten during the last 24 hours find that Valeria’s grandmother canned all of her own vegetables. Her breathing then becomes labored. so you order a blood sample, to have her gastrointestinal tract pumped, and prepare a mechanical respirator just in case. Thinking she may have botulism, you ask that Valeria’s grandparents be contacted and samples of the Thanksgiving meal retained, if possible, and sent to a local clinic for analysis.

Diagnosis- Botulism
1

Answer the questions below by using the case study below and your research skills.

What causes botulism? (Use outside resources)

1

How is botulism related to the digestive system?

1

What caused the botulism in Valeria’s case?

(Not so) Fun fact: The cometic drug Botox is created using the same bacteria that causes botulism!!!
Patient 2- Harold

Harold, a fifty-eight year old grocery store manager, had recently been waking up in the middle of the night with abdominal pain. This was happening several nights a week. He was also experiencing occasional discomfort in the middle of the afternoon. The pain finally becomes so severe that he comes into the ER.

You listen as Harold describes his symptoms and then ask Harold some questions. You note that Harold’s appetite has suffered as a result of the pain he was experiencing and as a result of the fear that what he was eating may be responsible for the pain. Otherwise, Harold seemed fine.

You refer Harold to get an endoscopy. The endoscopy was performed at a hospital later that week. The endoscope was equipped with a small claw-like structure that the doctor could use in order to obtain a small tissue sample from the lining of Harold’s stomach, if required.

Diagnosis- Peptic Ulcer
1

Answer the questions below by using the case study below and your research skills.

What is a peptic ulcer? (Use outside resources)

1

What causes peptic ulcers and what part of the digestive system does it affect? (Use outside resources)

1

What is the body’s natural protection against peptic ulcers? (Use outside resources)

1

What is an endoscopy? (Use outside resources)

Patient 3- Pei

Pei, a twenty-six year old Asain graduate student who has been experiencing occasional discomfort after meals. The discomfort reached a new peak last Thursday evening about an hour after eating a cheeseburger and a large chocolate milk shake. Pei spent much of that night in pain. She had abdominal cramps and diarrhea and also felt sick to her stomach so Pei went to ER.

You ask Pei a number of questions and note that Pei's discomfort seemed to be associated with dining out (her favorite fast food meal is a double cheese burger and a chocolate shake.) Pei tells you that on most evenings she cooks for herself Asain cuisine and that she seldom experiences any discomfort after eating at home. You ask if she uses very much milk or cheese when preparing meals at home, and she tells you that she rarely uses milk products while cooking at home.

Diagnosis: Lactose Intolerance
1

What is lactose intolerance? (Use outside resources)

1

How does lactose intolerance relate to the digestive system? (Use outside resources)

1

How is it treated? Does the person have to avoid milk products for the rest of their lives? (Use outside resources)

1

Why is Pei’s ethnicity important with the diagnosis of lactose intolerance?