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Revised-Chapter 6 Case Study B

K.W., a 9-year-old, developed a fever, sore throat, headache, and malaise. An examination revealed an enlarged tonsils with pus, enlarged lymph nodes, and a red pharynx. Tests confirmed a streptococcal infection. Streptococcus is a gram-positive bacterium that adheres to epithelial cells in the pharynx and produces exotoxins. The physician prescribed a full course of penicillin to treat the infection and prevent complications or antibiotic resistance from developing.

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Angelica Perez
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182 views2 pages

Revised-Chapter 6 Case Study B

K.W., a 9-year-old, developed a fever, sore throat, headache, and malaise. An examination revealed an enlarged tonsils with pus, enlarged lymph nodes, and a red pharynx. Tests confirmed a streptococcal infection. Streptococcus is a gram-positive bacterium that adheres to epithelial cells in the pharynx and produces exotoxins. The physician prescribed a full course of penicillin to treat the infection and prevent complications or antibiotic resistance from developing.

Uploaded by

Angelica Perez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Angelica Perez Ortiz

Pathophysiology with Pharmacology I

Chapter 6 Case Study B – Answers in bold.

Upper Respiratory Infection

K.W., age 9, suddenly developed a fever with very sore throat, headache, and malaise. When examined,
her pharynx was red and her tonsils enlarged with pus on the surface and in the crypts. Her cervical
lymph nodes were also enlarged. The physician suspected a bacterial infection and therefore took a
throat swab for examination and prescribed a course of penicillin so as to prevent complications.
Laboratory examination confirmed streptococcal infection and continued treatment with penicillin. This
microbe is gram positive, and it adheres to epithelial cells in the pharynx. It produces several exotoxins
and resists phagocytosis. It is spread by oral droplet.

1. Suggest several precautions to prevent further transmission in this case.

K.W should wear a face mask when she’s near others or in public although it’s probably best for her to
avoid leaving the house until the infection has passed. She should be prescribed medication to reduce
coughing or sneezing. All surfaces she comes in contact with should be disinfected and everyone in
the household should wash their hands regularly.

2. What factor indicated this was a bacterial infection rather than viral?

Bacterial infections often present secretion of pus or other “purulent exudate” as it is described in the
textbook. Secretions caused by viral infections are often clear or resemble serum.

3. Describe the typical appearance of Streptococcus under a microscope.

Under a microscope, Streptococcus would look like a string or a chain of small spheres (cocci).

4. Explain the meaning of gram positive and how this classification is helpful.

Gram positive are those that appear violet during a gram staining procedure. This classification is
helpful because Gram positive bacteria are also the only one that cause infections so doing gram stain
tests help find out if a bacteria poses a threat because it can cause infections and whether or not
further testing needs to be done to find out what medications can be use to combat infections caused
by that bacteria.

5. K.W. wanted to stop her medication several days later when the headache and fever disappeared.
State two reasons why this is not advisable
Angelica Perez Ortiz
Pathophysiology with Pharmacology I

1. Just because K.W. is feeling better does not mean all the bacteria are all completely gone which
means there is a chance for the bacteria to cause the infection to come back.

2. When patients are prescribed antibiotics, they are prescribed “the full course” which is 7-14days
worth of treatment. Usually the reason for this is to ensure all the bacteria die but also prevent that
the bacteria causing the infection and other bacteria in your body become antibiotic resistant. If K.W.
stops her medication prematurely, then eventually the infection starts again, there’s even greater
chances that the bacteria will become antibiotic resistant because she will be under antibiotic
treatment for a much longer period of time.

References:
Antibiotics: Are you misusing them? (2020, February 15). Retrieved April 22, 2020, from

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/antibiotics/art-20045720

Gram Staining Lab. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2020, from

http://faculty.ccbcmd.edu/courses/bio141/labmanua/lab1/gpstrep.html

Hubert, R. J., & VanMeter, K. C. (2017). Chapter 6: Infection. In Gould's Pathophysiology for the

Health Professions (6th ed., pp. 88–113). Elsevier.

Is There an Answer? Coordinated by Frank Vella. (2004). IUBMB Life (International Union of

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Life), 56(6), 361–363. doi: 10.1080/15216540400000884

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