2008 - Communication Across the Curriculum (CAC)

B i o l o g y
C a s e S t u d y
BIOL 2402: Anatomy and Physiology II. This report
by Kelly Vowles is an outstanding example of a
case study completed as part of the Anatomy
and Physiology II course writing requirement. The
assignment involves using a specific patient as
a “launching point” for research about a specific
disease. This report is an excellent example for
organization of the symptoms, diagnosis, treatments,
that “their patient” received and the expanded
research on each of those areas. The report is also
a good example for the amount of detail appropriate
for the expanded research part of the paper. Lastly,
the report exemplifies the style of writing (tone,
conciseness) that scientists use.
Kathryn Gronlund
by Kelly Vowles
Patient and Family Background:
Pop Katz is a male over 80 years old who lives a very healthy
lifestyle and up until this point, has never been sick. For the past
38 years, he has followed a strict vegetarian diet of no animal
products. He runs regularly and has been in great physical
condition, until the onset of symptoms, three weeks prior
(Bernstein).
Patients Chief Complaint:
Pop’s initial symptoms included experiencing a personality
change, consisting mainly of crying easily and frequently. His
wife took him to a doctor who performed a cursory exam and
blood count, then gave him a clean bill of health. However,
one week later Pop disappeared. After eight hours, the police
found him sitting, confused, in a parked car on the shoulder of
a highway. He had been there for hours. Suddenly Pop lost
bladder control, he refused to eat, he began wandering around
aimlessly at night and leaving the house partially clothed
(Bernstein).
Initial Diagnosis:
Upon returning to the doctor, Pop was diagnosed with senile
dementia (Bernstein). Senile dementia is a cognitive decline of
conscious state without other disorders. Diagnosis of senile
dementia occurs after a series of laboratory tests and psychiatric
evaluation (Beers 357).
Laboratory tests include CBC, electrolytes, albumin, renal
function, liver function, thyroid function, vitamin B12 levels, ESR,
arterial blood gas, serologic tests, drug levels and cerebrospinal
fluid examinations. The purpose of these tests is to rule out the
possibility of other diseases, such as delirium, hypothyroidism
V o l u m e I V : F a l l 2 0 0 8
Why Was My
Patient Suddenly
Falling Apart
After Decades Of
Healthy Living
4