- Published: August 26, 2022
- Updated: August 26, 2022
- University / College: University of Virginia
- Level: Doctor of Philosophy
- Language: English
- Downloads: 32
Symptom Analysis Tool
Symptom:
A-Identify (list) appropriate history questions to be asked of your client to discriminate critical characteristics or attributes about the above presenting complaint.
B- Delineate competing hypotheses that could support the above symptoms in relation to pertinent answers given in the history.
Note: you should include the diagnosis from the Final Assessment Findings section in the case study as part of the hypothesis. (you do not need to completed 5, only the 3 I listed)
1. Cholecystitis
2. Peptic ulcer perforation
3. Gastroenteritis
C- Explain the physical findings or reported symptoms you would expect during the visit. Using the inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation (IPPA) format, define hypothesized objective and subjective data you would expect to obtain during the patient exam.
D- Describe the physiology or pathophysiology associated with each hypothesis.
1. Hypothesis 1: Cholecystitis- it is primarily caused by gallstone obstruction of the cystic duct with inflammation, bacterial invasion and edema (Knab, Boller & Mahvi, 2014). Also might be caused by burns, severe trauma or surgical procedures.
2. Hypothesis 2: Peptic ulcer perforation-medical professionals acknowledge that there is little an incomplete information about the cause of Peptic ulcer perforation. However, due to cholinergic stimulation and epithelial lining irritation, the stomach and duodenum epithelial cells secrete mucus which is basically impermeable pepsin and acid. A mucosal injury which leads to the formation of peptic ulcer disease occurs as a result of an imbalance between the defensive mechanisms and aggressive factors. Aggressive factors include bile salts, pepsin, acid, alcohol, NSAIDS and H pylori infection. The defensive mechanisms include mucus, cellular restitution, epithelial renewal and mucosal blood flow (Anand & Katz, 2011). The aggressive factors affect the mucosal defense hence allowing the hydrogen ion diffusion which leads to epithelial cell damage or injury.
2. Hypothesis 3: Gastroenteritis- Gastroenteritis is the inflammation or infection of the stomach or intestines. H pylori bacteria is the primary cause of the disease. Normally it is acquired during a person’s childhood. Once in the stomach, Helicobacter pylori passes via the mucous layer and subsequently establishes itself at the stomach’s luminal surface hence causing an inflammatory response from the tissue underlying it (Bresee et al, 2012).
E-Describe the diagnostic tests that would be appropriate for each diagnosis.
Analysis:
Upon a close analysis of the patient’s symptoms, it can be concluded that she was suffering from Cholecystitis. The patient depicted all Cholecystitis symptoms (overweight/ fat, nausea, over 40 years, female, Pain in the abdomen or upper tummy, and vomiting). Lack of black or dark stool, blood in her stool, and weight loss ruled out the possibility of Peptic ulcer perforation while her act of emptying her bowels normally ruled out the possibility of Gastroenteritis.
References
Anand, B. S., & Katz, J. (2011). Peptic ulcer disease. Medscape, Jun.
Bresee, J. S., Marcus, R., Venezia, R. A., Keene, W. E., Morse, D., Thanassi, M., … & Glass, R. I. (2012). The etiology of severe acute gastroenteritis among adults visiting emergency departments in the United States. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 205(9), 1374-1381.
Knab, L. M., Boller, A. M., & Mahvi, D. M. (2014). Cholecystitis. Surgical Clinics of North America, 94(2), 455-470.