Case Studies| Unit 4B.1 | The Respiratory System | Bio 20

Open Ended

Alex is a six-year old male who has been hospitalized numerous times within the last two years for a persistent cough with thick mucus and shortness of breath. His parents are also concerned about the notable amount of weight he has lost despite no changes in diet or appetite. 

As Alex’s doctor, your first inclination is to ask for a family history. After speaking with Alex’s parents, you learn that his father had a brother who died of similar symptoms at an early age. Alex’s mother also recalls her own father developing frequent chest infections throughout his life. 

What do you suspect is causing Alex’s symptoms? Explain your diagnosis.

Open Ended

Alex is a six-year old male who has been hospitalized numerous times within the last two years for a persistent cough with thick mucus and shortness of breath. His parents are also concerned about the notable amount of weight he has lost despite no changes in diet or appetite. 

As Alex’s doctor, your first inclination is to ask for a family history. After speaking with Alex’s parents, you learn that his father had a brother who died of similar symptoms at an early age. Alex’s mother also recalls her own father developing frequent chest infections throughout his life.

What tests could you run to confirm your diagnosis? Explain.

Open Ended

Alex is a six-year old male who has been hospitalized numerous times within the last two years for a persistent cough with thick mucus and shortness of breath. His parents are also concerned about the notable amount of weight he has lost despite no changes in diet or appetite. 

As Alex’s doctor, your first inclination is to ask for a family history. After speaking with Alex’s parents, you learn that his father had a brother who died of similar symptoms at an early age. Alex’s mother also recalls her own father developing frequent chest infections throughout his life.

The tests come back positive. Discuss which area(s) of the respiratory system should be the focus of treatment (i.e. which components are most directly impacted by the disorder?). Do any effective treatments exist today?

Open Ended

Emily is a patient of yours who contracted tuberculosis on a recent trip to Asia. Although antibiotic treatments have been progressing positively, she recently came in complaining of sharp chest pains and difficulty breathing. You know that Emily is a non-smoker, and take note that the pain seems to worsen when she attempts to inhale deeply. 

What do you suspect is causing Emily’s symptoms? Explain your diagnosis.

Open Ended

Emily is a patient of yours who contracted tuberculosis on a recent trip to Asia. Although antibiotic treatments have been progressing positively, she recently came in complaining of sharp chest pains and difficulty breathing. You know that Emily is a non-smoker, and take note that the pain seems to worsen when she attempts to inhale deeply. 

What tests could you run to confirm your diagnosis? Explain.

Open Ended

Emily is a patient of yours who contracted tuberculosis on a recent trip to Asia. Although antibiotic treatments have been progressing positively, she recently came in complaining of sharp chest pains and difficulty breathing. You know that Emily is a non-smoker, and take note that the pain seems to worsen when she attempts to inhale deeply. 

The tests come back positive. Discuss which area(s) of the respiratory system should be the focus of treatment (i.e. which components are most directly impacted by the disorder?). Do any effective treatments exist today?

Open Ended

Clark is a 47-year-old male who works as a carpenter. He notices that as of late, even the smallest tasks seem to leave him out of breath, making it very difficult to do his job. He has also developed a persistent cough, which becomes more severe during periods of physical exertion, and finds that he becomes fatigued earlier in the day. Clark describes his symptoms and, upon learning that he has been an avid smoker since his 20’s, you decide to run some tests.

What are two possible causes of Clark’s symptoms? Explain your diagnosis.

Open Ended

Clark is a 47-year-old male who works as a carpenter. He notices that as of late, even the smallest tasks seem to leave him out of breath, making it very difficult to do his job. He has also developed a persistent cough, which becomes more severe during periods of physical exertion, and finds that he becomes fatigued earlier in the day. Clark describes his symptoms and, upon learning that he has been an avid smoker since his 20’s, you decide to run some tests.

What tests could you run to narrow down your diagnosis? Explain.

Open Ended

Clark is a 47-year-old male who works as a carpenter. He notices that as of late, even the smallest tasks seem to leave him out of breath, making it very difficult to do his job. He has also developed a persistent cough, which becomes more severe during periods of physical exertion, and finds that he becomes fatigued earlier in the day. Clark describes his symptoms and, upon learning that he has been an avid smoker since his 20’s, you decide to run some tests.

Clark’s cell cultures come back negative (normal); a CT of his chest, however, reveals small pockets of air throughout his lungs. Discuss which area(s) of the respiratory system should be the focus of treatment (i.e. which components are most directly impacted by the disorder?). Do any effective treatments exist today?