Hca/240

Associate Level Material

Appendix F

Review the following two case studies. Each patient is being referred to a specialist for further evaluation of a nervous system disorder. Outline characteristics of the disease each patient is suffering from by answering the questions associated with each case study. Answer in your own words.

Case Study 1

|Name |Myelin S. Heath |

|Patient # |12312312 |DOB: |03/05/1986 |

|Physician |Dr. Delgadillo |Date: |02/16/20XX |

Interoffice Referral Form

Ray D. Ology, M.D.

A Doctor’s Office, North Campus

1515 N. Medical Plaza #151

Anytown, Anywhere 12345

Dear Ray,

Myelin visited my office yesterday complaining of numbness in his right leg and face. He has also been experiencing muscle weakness and mild depression. I noticed a delay in his visual response in both eyes. I have referred Myelin to your facility because of possible multiple sclerosis, and I am requesting an MRI of the brain and spine. Please fax the results to me as soon as possible.

Regards,

Ruben Delgadillo, M.D.

Answer the following questions.

1. What could have caused Myelin’s disease?

The cause of multiple sclerosis is not known. It is believed to be an autoimmune disease.

2. What structure(s) and function(s) of the nervous system are affected by multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis affects the body’s immune system and it attacks its own tissues. This process destroys Myelin- the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, and that slows the conduction of nerve impulses, and affects muscle action throughout the body.

3. What can be done to treat this disease?

There is not treatment or cure for multiple sclerosis (MS). Physical therapy can help the patient to use of his or her muscles that are controllable. Muscle relaxants help by reducing the spasms, and steroids...