Assignment

A five-month-old Caucasian female is brought into the clinic as the parent indicates that she has been having ongoing foul-smelling, greasy diarrhea. She seems to be small for her age and a bit sickly but, her parent's state that she has a huge appetite. Upon examination you find that the patient is wheezing and you observe her coughing. After an extensive physical exam and work-up, the patient is diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

1. What is the etiology of cystic fibrosis?
2. Describe in detail the pathophysiological process of cystic fibrosis.
3. Identify hallmark signs identified from the physical exam and symptoms.
4. Describe the pathophysiology of complications of cystic fibrosis.
5. What teaching related to her diagnosis would you provide the parents?

Tammy is a 33-year-old who presents for evaluation of a cough. She reports that about 3 weeks ago she developed a "really bad cold" with rhinorrhea. The cold seemed to go away but then she developed a profound, deep, mucus-producing cough. Now, there is no rhinorrhea or rhinitis-the primary problem is the cough. She develops these coughing fits that are prolonged, very deep, and productive of a lot of green sputum. She hasn't had any fever but does have a scratchy throat. Tammy has tried over-the-counter cough medicines but has not had much relief. The cough keeps her awake at night and sometimes gets so bad that she gags and dry heaves. Through and extensive work-up, she is diagnosed with bronchitis.

1. What is the etiology of bronchitis?
2. Describe in detail the pathophysiological process of bronchitis.
3. Identify hallmark signs identified from the physical exam and symptoms.
4. Describe the pathophysiology of complications of bronchitis.
5. What teaching related to her diagnosis would you provide?