Diploma in Nursing: Case Studies on Nervous, Musculoskeletal, Integumentary, and Cardiovascular Systems

This article presents case studies on the nervous, musculoskeletal, integumentary, and cardiovascular systems for Diploma in Nursing students. It covers pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, treatments, and nursing assessments for various conditions.

Running head: DIPLOMA IN NURSING 1
Diploma in Nursing
Name
Institution

DIPLOMA IN NURSING 2
DIPLOMA IN NURSING
Case study 1
1) The function of the nervous system
The nervous system consists of all the body nerve cells. It has two parts namely the
peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. This is the most highly organized and
complex body system (Masliah, 2017). Its main function is to collect information delivered by
the sensory organs via nerves, transfers the information thru the spinal code, and then processes
the information in the brain. The nervous system gives direction the reactions of our body to the
world as well as controlling most of the internal functions of our body, everything from blood
vessel dilation and muscle movement to the learning of physical facts and anatomy are being
control by the nervous system. The nervous system manages all these functions by sending
electrical, chemical and quick signal, between cells (Schafer & Stevens, 2015).
2) Pathophysiology of (MS) Multiple Sclerosis.
MS is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID) affecting myelinated axons that
are located in the CNS, destroying the axon and the myelin in variable degrees as well as
generating significant physical disability for a period of 20 to 25 years. The hallmark of multiple
sclerosis episodes that happen years or months apart and it affect the locations of different
anatomic.
The impact of MS on the nervous system
MS attack the (CNS) central nervous system causing lesions or scarring. Multiple
Sclerosis causes damage or scarring to the myelin sheath located in the spinal cord or affects the
brain by causing lesions or scarring.
3 Functions of our musculoskeletal system

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The Musculoskeletal system involves the combination of the skeletal and muscular
system working as a group and includes the muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons of the body.
It assists our bodies with the protection of internal organs, shape, and ability to move. The body
parts offer a framework for our body by allowing movements, as well as dictating our degree of
flexibility.
4) How the musculoskeletal system affect in individuals with MS
The Musculoskeletal system of individuals who have MS will not function well because
the disease will weaken and causes damage to both the skeletal and muscular system that works
as a group. It will prevent the musculoskeletal system from protecting internal organs of the
body.
5 Discuss the signs and symptoms of Daisy and link to the pathophysiology of MS
Signs and symptoms of Daisy include; she runs down physically and feeling stressed.
After the test, the Doctor found scarring and multiple lesions on her Spinal cord. Daisy signs and
symptoms were linked to MS because it causes damage and scarring to the myelin sheath which
is located in the Spinal cord.
6) Functions of the integumentary system.
The integumentary system is made up of the nails, skin, glands, nerves, and hair. It
protects the body especially the internal organs from the outside or environmental insults (e.g.,
temperature fluctuations, physical trauma, chemical agents, and infections). It also helps in
retaining body fluids, and protects against disease, regulates the temperature of the body, and
removes waste products (Rizzo, 2015).

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7) Explain conditions of Eczema and Psoriasis and there effect on the integumentary
system and its function.
Eczema is a situation where the skin patches become itchy, inflamed, red, rough, and
cracked while Psoriasis is a condition of the Skin that increases the life cycle of the cells that are
in the skin. Psoriasis is one of the chronic diseases, and it mostly appears and disappears.
Psoriasis and Eczema are the conditions that affect the skin. They make the skin to form
a red rash. Both Eczema and Psoriasis are the inflammatory skin diseases. They are capable of
causing damage to the integumentary system such as the skin. Eczema and Psoriasis can make
the skin elbows, neck, scalp and knees thereby preventing the integumentary from performing its
function of protecting the internal organ of the body.
Signs and symptoms of the Eczema include red skin, flaky skin, itchy skin and scaly
skin. Common signs and symptoms of the Psoriasis include Stiff and swollen joints, itching,
soreness or burning and Red patches of skin.
8) Two common treatments for Psoriasis and eczema
The treatment for eczema patients involves emollient therapies with occlusion dressing
and topical steroids. Eczema can also be treated by use of Antibiotic. This is being used in case
there are skin infections (Wallenberg, 2016).
The treatment of Psoriasis will require the prescription of emollient therapy (moisturizers
and soap substitutes) including topical steroids as well as Vitamin D (Armstrong, Bagel, Van,
Robertson & Yamauchi, 2015).

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9) Immediate actions that I will take based on the assessment of Daisy
The immediate action that I will take after the assessment is to seek for the treatment and
medical advice from the Doctor. I will also participate in patient engagement to learn more about
the diet as this will enable me to prevent the diseases from spreading to all parts of the body.
10) Health professionals that will be included in Daisy’s care and their roles
Dieticians- they provide guidance on how the patients on the healthy diet.
A Physical therapist- they help in creating an exercise program that improves the
balance, strength, and coordination.
Nursing professional- thy mostly have advanced training and can, therefore, help in the
management of symptoms and counseling.
Case study 2
1) Outline the main structure of the cardiovascular system
The cardiovascular system is made up of the blood vessel, heart, and blood. The Heart
helps in pumping blood to all parts of the cardiovascular system. Blood vessels include veins,
arteries, and capillaries. Blood is the fluids that are being transported in the circulatory system
(Ikeda et.al, 2015).
2) A function of the cardiovascular system
The composition of the cardiovascular system includes blood vessel, blood, and the heart
help in transporting vital nutrients to all parts of the body and in removing metabolic waste. They
also regulate the temperature of our body and protect the body. It also protects the body from
antibodies and white blood cells. They also defend the human body against foreign toxins and
microbes (Yang et.al, 2017).

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3) Briefly explain how a change in age affects the cardiovascular system
Age decreases the ability of an individual to sustain a higher level of exercise for a longer
period. In explain how age affects the cardiovascular system; the focus will be on the heart.
When age increases, the structure of the heart becomes rigid. The left ventricle muscles get
thicker, the heart increases slightly, the volume of the left ventricle decline. This causes the rate
of the heart to declines. Age also changes the autonomous nervous system. Therefore, the age of
an individual affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system (Di-Benedetto, Müller,
Wenger, Düzel & Pawelec, 2017).
4) The pathophysiology of angina, including risk factors, signs and symptoms
Pathophysiology of Angina- Angina is commonly being triggered by myocardial
ischemia which occurs due to the mismatch between oxygen demand and myocardial blood flow.
Pathophysiology of angina starts when the heart muscle receives inadequate blood flow. This
causes a crushing or burning pain to the chest, and most of the time those with the disease will
feel like they are suffocating and experiences difficulty in breathing in. It also causes blockage of
the coronary artery (An & Gossman, 2018).
Signs and symptoms
Angina is described as pressure, squeezing, heaviness, pain in the chest and tightness.
The main symptom of Angina is chest pain. Other symptoms of the Angina include
Nausea, Dizziness, Fatigue, and sweating.
The risk factors for Angina include the following: Smoking, High blood pressure, High
cholesterol, lack of enough physical activity and Diabetes.

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5) The reason why john’s chest pain occurs on exertion and disappears at rest
Johns has a certain type of Angina known as Stable Angina. This type of Angina happens
mainly during a period of physical exertion and reduces at rest.
6) The pathophysiology of anemia
Anemia is the condition in which an individual has the inadequate number of healthy red
blood cell. The disease mainly occurs due to loss of blood that reduces the production of red
blood cell (Zadrazil & Horak, 2015).
Signs and symptoms- the mild state may pass without causing symptoms. The
symptoms of this stage include dyspnea, palpitations, and mild fatigues. In moderate Anemia,
people experience the symptoms while resting. The other signs and symptoms include irregular
heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, yellowish or pale skin, Dizziness, and weakness.
Risk factors include pregnancy, intestinal disorders, family history, chronic conditions,
and menstruation.
7) The reason why John feels dizzy, tired and short of breath.
John has the inadequate number of Red blood cell that causes Anemia hence making him
feel dizzy, tired and short of breath.
8) Definition of hemoglobin and the normal level of the male adult
Hemoglobin is a red protein that performs the duty of oxygen transportation in the body.
The normal level of hemoglobin in an adult male is 13.8 to 17.2g/dl
9) Two nursing assessment that I will conduct to John

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I will analyze the multivariate using clinical information and data from the laboratory
tests and blood smear. I will also perform the physical examination of the Bone Tenderness,
Hepatomegaly, and Neuropathy.
b) I will advise John to stop smoking as this may increase the intensity of the disease. I
will encourage him to attend to physical activities to reduce stress. Lastly, I will advise John to
improve his diet.
10 Health professionals that may involve in John’s care and their functions
Physiotherapists- They helps individuals affected by illness, injury, education, and
advice
Psychologists- are the health professionals who provide support to John in the setting of
the Palliative care.
Hematologists- They diagnosed as well as treating diseases that are related to the blood
system.

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References
An, J., & Gossman, W. G. (2018). Ludwig Angina.
Armstrong, A. W., Bagel, J., Van Voorhees, A. S., Robertson, A. D., & Yamauchi, P. S. (2015).
Combining biologic therapies with other systemic treatments in psoriasis: evidence-
based, best-practice recommendations from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis
Foundation. JAMA dermatology, 151(4), 432-438.
Di-Benedetto, S., Müller, L., Wenger, E., Düzel, S., & Pawelec, G. (2017). Contribution of
neuroinflammation and immunity to brain aging and the mitigating effects of physical
and cognitive interventions. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 75, 114-128.
Ikeda, Y., Shirakabe, A., Brady, C., Zablocki, D., Ohishi, M., & Sadoshima, J. (2015). Molecular
mechanisms mediating mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy and their functional roles
in the cardiovascular system. Journal of molecular and cellular cardiology, 78, 116-122.
Masliah, E. (2017). Anatomical Networks: Structure and Function of the Nervous System.
In Neuroimmune Pharmacology (pp. 81-92). Springer, Cham.
Rizzo, D. C. (2015). Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology. Cengage Learning.
Schafer, D. P., & Stevens, B. (2015). Microglia function in central nervous system development
and plasticity. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology, 7(10), a020545.
Wollenberg, A., Oranje, A., Deleuran, M., Simon, D., Szalai, Z., Kunz, B., ... & Bruin‐Weller,
M. (2016). ETFAD/EADV Eczema task force 2015 position paper on diagnosis and
treatment of atopic dermatitis in adult and paediatric patients. Journal of the European
Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 30(5), 729-747.

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Yang, P., Kuc, R. E., Buonincontri, G., Southwood, M., Torella, R., Upton, P. D., ... & Morrell,
N. W. (2017). Elabela/Toddler Is an Endogenous Agonist of the Apelin APJ Receptor in
the Adult Cardiovascular System, and Exogenous Administration of the Peptide
Compensates for the Downregulation of Its Expression in Pulmonary Arterial
HypertensionClinical Perspective. Circulation, 135(12), 1160-1173.
Zadrazil, J., & Horak, P. (2015). Pathophysiology of anemia in chronic kidney diseases: A
review. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub, 159(2), 197-202.