Marsha Rhoades: Case Study 1 Presented by: Lynsie Kamppi, Del Marie Patton and Maureen Horsch

The Patient 25 year old female Fatigue Unproductive cough Fever of 101 RBC count of 2.9 million/cc 3 Clouding in the lungs

Questions Is the patient a smoker? Is the patient sexually active and is there any possibility of pregnancy? Does the patient have a normal menstrual cycle? What is the patients occupation? How long has these symptoms been occurring? Has the patient had any extreme weight loss? Does the patient have any family history of anemia or any other blood disorders? Does the patient have any allergies? Is the patient currently taking any medications?

Hypothesis According to Marsha’s symptoms, we believe she is possibly anemic and could have valley fever. She may have mononucleosis causing the flu like symptoms. Another differential diagnoses could be the beginning symptoms of myoplasma pneumonia. Marsha may have possibly come into contact with tuberculosis. She may have also inhaled some highly toxic chemical, such as pulmonary anthrax.

Experiment Marsha should have a hematocrit test to determine which type of anemia she has. Another CBC test should be done to see if her infection is bacterial, fungal, or viral. A differential blood test should be done which would show an increase in any of the white blood cells. Another x-ray should be done to check the clouding in her lungs. Also a TB test to rule out tuberculosis.

Ruling out Possibilities Anthrax was ruled out because of lack of lesions and there has only been one case study reported in the U.S. Tuberculosis was ruled out by no chest pain or weight loss. Mononucleosis was also ruled out by the blood test results. Myoplasm pneumonia was ruled out because the x-ray showed no congestion.

Conclusion We have concluded that Marsha Rhoades has the early onset of Valley Fever and is anemic.

Works Cited Page “Anemia.” Taber’s Cyclopedia Medical Dictionary ed.19. Bauman, Robert W. Ph.D. Microbiology: Alternate Edition with Diseases by Body System. San Francisco: Pearson, 2006 Hrinda, Jack. Telephone interview. 08 February 2006.