Case Studies

What effect would cartilage damage have on a major joint such as the knee? Why is cartilage slow to repair

cartilage damage causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of motion. Cartilage is slow to repair because it is avascular, so it lacks a direct blood supply needed for healing.

Describe the differences between tendons and ligaments and their roles in the musculoskeletal system.

Tendons connect muscle to bone and transmit force for movement. Ligaments connect bone to bone and stabilize joints.

Why would you see the signs and symptoms that you see with strains and sprains?

Strains and sprains cause inflammation, tissue damage, and bleeding, leading to pain, swelling, bruising, and limited function.

Name factors that would put a patient at risk for fractures.

Age, osteoporosis, poor nutrition, chronic steroid use, trauma, neurological impairments, smoking, alcohol use, and inactivity.

Describe the differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune, symmetrical, and affects small joints with systemic symptoms. osteoarthritis is degenerative, asymmetrical, and affects weight-bearing joints.

Why does demyelination of nerves cause the effects seen with ALS?

Demyelination slows or blocks nerve signals, causing muscle weakness, atrophy, spasticity, and paralysis.

Describe the differences in clinical presentation of a patient with an epidural hematoma versus a patient with a subdural hematoma.

Epidural is rapid onset with a lucid interval, caused by arterial bleeding. Subdural is slower, with gradual neurological decline due to venous bleeding.

What effect(s) would damage to the villi and microvilli of the small intestine have on a patient?

Impaired nutrient absorption leading to malnutrition, weight loss, diarrhea, vitamin deficiencies, and anemia.

What are possible causes and symptoms of pancreatitis?

gallstones, alcohol, medications. Symptoms: severe epigastric pain, vomiting, fever, elevated amylase/lipase.

What signs and symptoms would you expect to see in a patient with renal failure?

Edema, hyperkalemia, fatigue, uremia, anemia, oliguria, acidosis, and hypertension.

What are potential signs and symptoms of hepatitis and their causes?

Jaundice, RUQ pain, dark urine, fatigue, elevated liver enzymes, caused by liver inflammation and impaired bilirubin processing.

How could cholecystitis be related to hepatitis?

Gallbladder inflammation can block bile ducts, backing up bile into the liver and causing hepatocellular injury or hepatitis.

How could cholelithiasis cause pancreatitis?

Gallstones can block the common bile duct, backing up pancreatic enzymes and causing inflammation of the pancreas.

How does Crohn’s disease damage the GI tract, and how does this manifest?

Transmural inflammation causes ulcers, strictures, and fistulas, leading to diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal pain.

What manifestations may occur with a blockage in the lymphatic system

Lymphedema, heavy limbs, skin thickening, increased infection risk, and poor wound healing.

What effects might occur in a patient who has had multiple lymph nodes removed?

Lymphedema, infection risk, poor immune response, and delayed healing in affected areas

How would a condition that disrupts collagen production affect tissue repair?

Slower healing, fragile skin, poor scarring, and chronic wounds due to lack of structural support.

What type of lesion is expected from Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)?

Grouped painful vesicles on an erythematous base that may ulcerate.

What are common manifestations of skin infections and their causes?

Redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever from immune response and inflammation

Compare and contrast psoriasis and lichen planus.

Both are inflammatory; psoriasis has silvery plaques on elbows/knees, lichen planus has purple papules on wrists/mouth. Psoriasis is chronic; lichen planus may resolve.

What skin layers are affected in third-degree sunburns and why might they be painless?

Affects epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue; painless due to nerve destruction.

What are common locations for stage 2 pressure ulcers, and how can they be prevented?

Sacrum, heels, elbows. Prevent by repositioning, pressure relief, good nutrition, skin care.

Why do lymph nodes swell during infection?

Immune cell proliferation and inflammation increase fluid and cell activity in lymph nodes.

What are the differences between vitreous humor and aqueous humor, and why do they differ?

Aqueous is watery and replaced often for pressure/nutrients; vitreous is gel-like, provides structure, and isn't replaced.

What happens if the right optic nerve is severed behind the globe?

Complete blindness in the right eye due to loss of all visual input.

What visual effect occurs from a right-sided stroke affecting visual input areas?

Left homonymous hemianopia—loss of left visual fields in both eyes.

What happens if the semicircular canals are injured?

Balance issues, vertigo, nausea, unsteady gait, and possible nystagmus due to impaired motion detection

What are the effects of cataracts and their cause?

Cloudy vision, glare sensitivity, night vision loss, caused by protein clumping in the lens.

What vision-related conditions would you worry about in a patient with a head/eye injury?

Retinal detachment, globe rupture, optic nerve damage, orbital fracture, hemorrhage.

How can a sore throat relate to impaired hearing?

Eustachian tube dysfunction from infection can cause fluid buildup and middle ear issues

What is likely happening when a patient with a peanut allergy has thick speech and throat tightness? What is the priority?

Anaphylaxis is likely; priority is airway management and immediate epinephrine.

Why would sinusitis lead to pharyngitis, and which should be treated?

Post-nasal drip irritates the throat; treating sinusitis resolves both.