Submitted by: Submitted by cleosydneymayaks
Views: 731
Words: 686
Pages: 3
Category: Science and Technology
Date Submitted: 12/05/2012 03:54 PM
Case Study: The Singer with a Sore Throat
1.) List Ellen’s symptoms. What specific signs indicate that she is ill?
Ellen’s symptoms include a throat that is so sore she can hardly talk and it hurts to swallow, exhaustion, a headache, being unable to get warm, a flushed face, watery eyes, and a fever of 102.2˚F.
2.) What is Ellen’s chief complaint?
Ellen’s chief complaint is her sore throat.
3.) Assume that you are the clinician responsible for obtaining Ellen’s medical history. In addition to identifying data, formulate at least three questions that you would ask to help diagnose her disease.
* Does your throat still hurt as badly when you aren’t swallowing?
* Is your body shivery and achy, and do you feel lethargic?
* How are your other sinuses – nose, ears, eyes? Any congestion or pain?
4.) What risk factors in Ellen’s recent history may have contributed to her illness?
The body needs sleep, especially when one is ill, so the fact that Ellen has stayed up late every night the past week studying for finals, and been kept awake by the coughing of her roommate may have contributed to her illness. Additionally, the weather outside is cold and snowy and she has had to make many trips to her car a block away, exposing her to the weather when she is already ill.
5.) Since Ellen is young and her general health appears good, will a sphygmomanometer be needed during the examination?
Ellen’s youth and general health will not factor into the use of the sphygmomanometer for measuring her blood pressure, because this is done as a routine, even if a healthy patient comes in for a check-up. This is also very important because diseases such as hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be asymptomatic, at least until the damage is already extensive.
6.) After looking into Ellen’s throat, the acute-care physician feels both sides of her neck. Which physical examination technique is he applying?
The acute-care physician is using the technique...