Identifying Common Disorders and Signs of Organ Systems

The assignment requires students to examine the table of major organ systems and their vital components, identifying one common disorder affecting each organ or component, and listing two signs and symptoms for each disorder.

Theory Assessment
The major organ systems and their vital components are given in the following table. Identify one (1) common
disorder affecting each organ or component and list two (2) signs and symptoms of each disorder, problem or
complaint.
Organ System
Organs /
Common disorders,
Two (2) signs and symptoms
Components
problems and
complaints
Cardiovascular
Heart
E.g. Congestive cardiac
Shortness of breath, edema and fatigue.

system
failure
Blood vessels
Constriction of the blood vessels causing hypertension
Severe headaches and shortness of breath
Blood
Sickle cell anemia
Painful selling of hands and feet, episodes of pain

Digestive system
Stomach
Unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting
Peptic ulcers
Large intestine
Inflammable bowel disorder
Abdominal pain and cramping, reduced appetite
Small intestine
Ulcers in bowel wall, scar tissue inside bowel

Chron disease
Special senses
Eyes
Macular degeneration
Dizziness, visual impairment
Ears

Menier’s diseases
Vertigo, loss of balance
Nose
Nasal polyps
Soft growths on the lining of the nose, runny nose
Endocrine system
Thyroid
hyperthyroidism
Sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat

Version: 1 HLTAAP002-TA Page 1 of 3
Date: November 2016

Theory Assessment
Organ System
Organs /
Common disorders,
Two (2) signs and symptoms
Components
problems and

complaints
Pituitary gland
Pituitary tumors
Feeling cold, weakness
Female
Ovary
reproductive

system
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Gaining of weight, irregular period
Uterus
Uterine fibroids
Mennorrhagia, abdominal cramps

Male
Testis
reproductive
Testicular torsion
system
Nausea and vomiting, scrotal tenderness

Prostate
Enlarged prostrate
Weak or slow urinary stream
Lungs
Respiratory

system
asthma
Coughing, wheezing
Skin
Integumentary

system
acne
Nodules, cysts
Nervous system
Brain
Alzheimer’s disease
Loss of memory, loss of cognitive power

Spinal cord
hematoma
Spinal cord compression, radicular back pain
Version: 1
HLTAAP002-TA
Page 2 of 3
Date: November 2016

Theory Assessment
Organ System
Organs /
Common disorders,
Two (2) signs and symptoms
Components
problems and
complaints

Musculoskeletal
Bone
system
Paget disease of bone
Hip pain, overgrowth of bone
Muscles
Muscular dystrophy
Difficulty rising, frequent falls

Joint
arthritis
Joint stiffness, joint pain
Urinary system
Kidneys
Chronic kidney disease
Feeling very itchy, fatigue
Urinary bladder

cystitis
Pelvic discomfort, low grade fever
Lymph nodes
Lymphatic system
and vessels
Swollen lymph nodes
Fever, night sweats

Spleen
Enlarged spleen
Anemia, fatigue