Bioscience 2 Assignment: Microorganisms and Health Breakdown

This Bioscience 2 assignment aims to increase students’ understanding of how microorganisms can cause health breakdown, and the role of relevant pharmacological interventions in the recovery processes. It includes a hypothetical case study of a patient with an infected laceration and questions related to it. The questions cover topics such as the physiological basis of wound observations, sources and modes of transmission of microorganisms, rationale for antibiotic choices, and the process of wound healing. The assignment requires critical appraisal of the nurse’s role in infection control, literature searching, and academic writing and referencing.

Bioscience 2
Word count
There is a word limit of 1000 words. Use your computer to total the number of words used in your
assignment. However, do not include the reference list at the end of your assignment in the word count.
In-text citations will be included in the additional 10% word count. if you exceed the word limit by more
than 10% the marker will stop marking at 1000 words plus 10%.
Aim of assessment
The aim of this assessment is to increase students’ understanding of how microorganisms can cause
health breakdown, and the role of relevant pharmacological interventions in the recovery processes.
Students will explore various modes of transmission, relevant characteristics of pathogens and the
importance of breaking the chain of infection. This assessment facilitates the development of the
following skills: critical appraisal of the nurse’s role in infection control, literature searching, and academic
writing and referencing.
Details
Students are provided with a hypothetical case study to read (see below). They then must answer the
questions provided, relating to the study. Students should draw on relevant literature provided to support
their answers, and reference using the APA 6th ed. style.
Note:
– Students must respond to each of the questions using academic writing. It is anticipated that the
work will be presented in a question / answer format using full sentences and paragraphs.
– Students MUST use the electronic template for this assignment. A soft word copy of the
template must be accessed from the Assessments tab on the Bioscience 2 vUWS site.
– Answers are to be written in the third person (he/she/it or they/them/their).
– Answers are to be written clearly and concisely using correct spelling and grammar and written in
complete sentences and paragraphs. Bullet points are NOT acceptable.
– All answers must include in-text references and a reference list must be included at the end of the
assessment.
– As a guide, please aim to write around 35 words per allocated mark for each question. Thus, if a
question is worth 10 marks, aim to answer it in around 350 words.
Case study
Mary, 21 years old, presented to the hospital emergency department with an infected laceration on her
left foot. Mary was at a beach resort four days ago, when she trod on a broken glass bottle and sustained
a deep 2 cm long jagged laceration over the lateral aspect of her left foot. She used her handkerchief to
bandage the wound. This morning the wound was extremely painful, swollen and had a purulent
discharge.
On inspection of the wound the following wound observations were made:
– Painful and swollen,
– Red and warm when touched. – Purulent discharge.
A wound swab was taken for culture and sensitivity. A stat dose of ceftriaxone 1g was administered IVI
immediately (she did not require a booster tetanus injection as she had already received one three
months ago).
She was then commenced on oral cephalexin 500mg to be taken every 6 hours before being sent home.

Using the template provided (to be accessed from the Assessment tab in the Unit’s vUWS site), answer
the following questions:
1. Describe the physiological basis for the appearance of Mary’s wound.(10 Marks)
2. Explain TWO (one endogenous and one exogenous) likely sources for the contamination of the
wound and the mode of transmission of the microorganism from each source.(10 Marks)
Culture and sensitivity test confirmed the microorganism infecting the wound to be Staphylococcus
aureus. The drug cephalexin was discontinued and replaced with oral dicloxacillin 500 mg every 6 hours.
1. Explain the rationale for the initial choice of antibiotics, and the subsequent change in antibiotic
therapy to dicloxacillin. Discuss the mode of action of this antibiotic, and state any TWO of its
common adverse reactions
(10 Marks)
2. Describe the process by which Mary’s wound will heal.(5 Marks)
Resources:
i. There are a number of textbooks and resources available through the Western Sydney University
Library that may assist you. Please refer to the unit’s vUWS site for specific unit resources. ii. The
following four references MUST be used and cited in this case study. Additional resources may also be
used as long as the four required are present. Some of these can be accessed online as indicated.
Others may be found on closed reserve in the library. iii. (Eds.) indicates an edited book. You must
reference the chapter/s used.
Required References:(Please can u make sure to use this reference.)
Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2017). Fundamentals of pharmacology (8th ed.). Frenchs Forest, Australia:
Pearson
Australia.
Craft, J., & Gordon, C. (Eds.). (2015). Understanding pathophysiology (2nd Australian and New
Zealand ed.). Chatswood, Australia: Elsevier. Available Online
Lee, G., & Bishop, P. (Eds.). (2016). Microbiology and infection control for health professionals (6th ed.).
Melbourne, Victoria: Pearson Australia.
Marieb, E.N., & Hoehn, K. (2016). Human anatomy & physiology (10th global ed.). Harlow, United Kingdom:
Pearson Education.
This template must be used to answer the case study.
(Please type your answers within the box underneath each question)
1. Physiological basis of the wound observations (around 325 words)
Laceration wounds mainly refer to the torn or jagged wounds that occur mainly because of
sharp objects. The soft tissues are seen to be torn and this increases the chance of the wound being

infected by bacteria as well as debris from the objects that had resulted in the cut (Zhou et al., 2018).
It has been seen that the wound of the patient named Mary had become red and warm when
touched. Researchers are of the opinion that some form of redness is normal at the wound site but this
redness should diminish over time. However, even when the wound continues to be red and exhibit
radiating streaks known as lymphangitis, this can be one of the warning sign of wound infection
(Bullock & Manias, 2017). It is necessary for the redness to go away during the initial phases of the
wound healing process. However, if it does not go, then affected individuals should consult
professionals. The patient named Mary might have infected her wound due to improper dressing and
cleaning of wound. Therefore, she needs support now. The infection of Mary was seen to be warm.
Researchers are of the opinion that when infection develops in the wound, the body sends infection
fighting blood cells towards the location. This makes the wound feel warm to touch.
Another important physiological symptom that had been found is the purulent discharge. It is
mainly the liquid or the discharge that is seen to ooze out from the wound. Purulent discharge mainly
gives the symptoms that the wound has become infected and that certain bacteria are mainly present
at the wound site. Mainly, wound drainage occurs during the time of dilation of the blood vessels during
the early stages of wound healing. However, the nature of the wound drainage might change when
infections come into play. Often purulent discharge is seen to have a thick consistency, milky
appearance and foul distinct odour. Therefore, the healthcare professionals need to identify the nature
of wound discharge as well as the coloration and temperature surrounding the wound to make an idea
whether the wound is infected or not.
2. Possible sources of contamination and modes of transmission.
2.1 Name one endogenous source of contamination and discuss the mode of
transmission from the source to the new host.(around 175 words)
Endogenous infection can be defined as the infectious agent that is already present in the in the body
but remain in the dormant and in-apparent situation. Endogenous bacteria are often referred to as the
bacterial flora that naturally lives inside the closed systems. Disorders can occur when such bacteria
can enter into the sterile area of the body parts getting an opportunity for infection (Craft et al., 2015).
In the case study, it was seen that the patient had faced laceration in her left feet and one of the ways
by which microorganisms might have infected her wound are direct transmission of the wounds from

the skin to that of the wounds. Many types of germs remain present on skin that might have entered
into the wound when the cut has occurred. Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogene can be
such microorganisms that follow the endogenous mode of infection. The healthcare professionals might
consider that the patient is having such infection on the skin or the germs might have colonized the
patient due to certain reasons. The wound has given them the opportunities for infection making her
live poor quality life mainly by entering the wound directly from the skin.
2.2 Name one exogenous source of contamination and discuss the mode of
transmission from the source to the new host.(around 175 words)
Exogenous mode of infection mainly refers to the mode of infection when microbes do not
harbor in the external surface of internally within the body of the affected patients but have mainly
came from outside world inside the closed system of the body. They can come from different types of
sources like that of air, water, soil and even from the atmosphere (Zhan et al., 2015). These types of
micro-organisms can enter the body through pathways like respiratory as well as air borne faecal-oral
mediums, parental as well as trans-cutaneous, vector borne as well as sexual transmission and
many other modes. The patient in the case named Mary was seen to suffer from laceration when she
was holidaying in the beach resort. Therefore, one of the exogenous modes of infection is the
transmission of the infection from the broken surface of the glass object. Moreover, she had tied the
wound with handkerchief. This increases the chance of any exogenous microorganisms to have been
transferred from the handkerchief to the wound directly when she tied the handkerchief around the
wound. Again, Mary was walking on the sandy beach when she faced the laceration with the glass
objects. Therefore, there is also chance that microbes might have entered the wound from the soil or
the sand on which she was walking. Therefore, these are the sources and mod of transmission for
exogenous infections (Holmes et al., 2015).
3. Rationale for choices of antibiotics.
Rationale for the stat dose of ceftriaxone administered IVI immediately. (around 100)
Ceftriaxone medication is mainly provided for treatment of infection and acts as anti-bacterial drug for
treatment of conditions like that of lower tract infection in respiratory system, skin and skin structures,

pelvic inflammatory disorders, bacterial septicemia, meningitis, joint infections and many others. it is a
broad spectrum antibiotic which kills variety of bacteria like Borrelia burgdorferi, Enterobacter spp,
Anaerobic cocci, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium spp, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus
pyogene, Staphylococcus aureus, and others. They mainly act by the inhibition of the cell wall
synthesis by the binding to one or more penicillin binding proteins and exerts antimicrobial effects by
interfering with their cell wall peptido-glycan component. Bacteria get lysed as activity of cell-wall
autolytic enzymes is seen to continue while cell wall assembly is arrested (Lee et al., 2012). As
infectious microbe in the wound cannot be identified, hence this broad spectrum drug was used.
Rationale for the change to oral dicloxacillin. (Around 100 words)
The previous medication is highly effective for gram-negative bacteria but has low efficacy for
gram-positive bacteria although they are not entirely ineffective and has higher efficacy to resistant
organisms. They act in a stable manner in presence of beta lactamases like penicillase and
cephalosporinases for gram-negative bacteria and gram-positive bacteria respectively. However they
are broad spectrum and are not that much effective as that of Dicloxacillin. This is mainly a narrow
spectrum β-lactam antibiotic belonging to the penicillin class (Marieb & Hoehn, 2016). It is helpful for
the treatment of the infections caused by susceptible (non-resistant) Gram-positive bacteria.
Staphylococcus aureus is a gram positive bacterium which is resistant to most of the penicillin and is
difficult to be treated but this medication is giggly effective against this beta-lactamase-producing
organisms like Staphylococcus microns. The bacterium is seen to be resistant to penicillinase of most
of the penicillin but this drug is form of penicillin which helps in killing the bacterium as this is not
resistant to the drug. Therefore, this medication is the gold standard treatment.
4. Process by which Mary’s wound will heal (Around 150 words)
Mary had already gone through the hemostasis phase of wound healing where the body tries
to undertake the blooding clotting system and helps in forming a dam for blocking the drainage. Fibrin
mesh is formed and platelet clumps in a stable mesh. The patient is now the inflammatory phase

which focuses on destruction of bacteria and removal of debris for preparation of the wound bed for
the growth of the new tissues. Macrophage and neutrophils along with other cells help in tissue repair
but they need nutrient for action (Portou et al., 2015). In case of Mary the germs have absorbed the
nutrients making the procedures slow and ineffective. Therefore, once drugs are provided, the germs
will be killed and procedure will initiate again. The next stage is the proliferative stage which will
include three stages like filling of the wound, contraction of the wound margins and covering of the
wound with epithelialization. Next would be the maturation phase when new tissues develop and
gains strength and flexibility. Collagen fibers are seen to reorganize, tissues remodel and mature and
there is healing of wounds.
References:
Bullock, S & Manias, E. (2017). Fundamentals of Pharmacology (8th edition) French forest , Austrlai:
Pearson Australia
Craft, J., Gordon, C., Huether, S. E., McCance, K. L., & Brashers, V. L. (2015). Understanding
pathophysiology-ANZ adaptation. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Holmes, C. J., Plichta, J. K., Gamelli, R. L., & Radek, K. A. (2015). Dynamic role of host stress responses
in modulating the cutaneous microbiome: implications for wound healing and infection. Advances
in wound care, 4(1), 24-37. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/wound.2014.0546
Lee, G., & Bishop, P. (2012). Microbiology and infection control for health professionals. Pearson Higher
Education AU. Retrieved from: https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=qhTiBAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=microbiology+and+infection+control+for+hea
lth+professionals+Lee&ots=hxQ7f6LZ-
a&sig=RawVyNsKPSO_Q5MGLvvqtHYtSvc#v=onepage&q=microbiology%20and%20infection
%20control%20for%20health%20professionals%20Lee&f=false
Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2016). Human anatomy & physiology: Harlow: Pearson Education Limited,
2016.
Portou, M. J., Baker, D., Abraham, D., & Tsui, J. (2015). The innate immune system, toll-like receptors
and dermal wound healing: a review. Vascular Pharmacology, 71, 31-36.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vph.2015.02.007

Zhan, L. X., Branco, B. C., Armstrong, D. G., & Mills Sr, J. L. (2015). The Society for Vascular Surgery
lower extremity threatened limb classification system based on Wound, Ischemia, and foot
Infection (WIfI) correlates with risk of major amputation and time to wound healing. Journal of
vascular surgery, 61(4), 939-944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2014.11.045
Zhou, J., Yao, D., Qian, Z., Hou, S., Li, L., Jenkins, A. T. A., & Fan, Y. (2018). Bacteria-responsive
intelligent wound dressing: Simultaneous In situ detection and inhibition of bacterial infection for
accelerated wound healing. Biomaterials, 161, 11-23.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2018.01.024
5. Presentation
5.1 Referencing in-text and in reference list conforms to APA 6th Ed. referencing
style.
5.2 Critique supported by relevant literature as prescribed.
5.3 Correct sentence structure, paragraph, grammatical construction, spelling,
punctuation and presentation.
Marking Criteria:
Criteria High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Unsatisfactory
Criterion 1 Describe
the physiological
basis of Mary’s
wound
observations.
Accurately and
thoroughly
describes all
physiological
bases of Mary’s
wound
observations.
Insightfully justifies
each observation
with relevant
physiology. Clearly
links the
explanation and
justification to
information in the
case study.
.
Accurately and
clearly describes
all physiological
bases of Mary’s
wound
observations.
Comprehensively
justifies each
observation with
relevant physiology
Makes some links
to the case study.
Accurately
describes all
physiological bases
of Mary’s wound
observations.
Thoroughly justifies
each observation
with relevant
physiology
Attempts to make
some links to the
case study.
Adequately
describes some
physiological basis
of Mary’s wound
observations.
Adequately justifies
each observation
with relevant
physiology.
However, lacks
connection to the
case study.
No attempt to
describe
physiological basis
of Mary’s wound
observations.
No attempt to
justify any
observation with
relevant physiology.
No connection to
the case study is
made.
8.5-10 7.5-8 6.5-7 5-6 ≤4.5
Criteria High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Unsatisfactory
Criterion 2 Explain
TWO
possible sources for
the contamination
of the wound and
the mode of
transmission of the
Correctly identifies
and explains two
most likely sources
of contamination
and links the source
to the reservoir
Insightfully
rationalises the
Correctly identifies
and explains two
likely sources of
contamination and
links the source to
the reservoir.
Comprehensively
rationalises the
Correctly identifies
and explains two
likely sources of
contamination,
though the link to
the reservoir is not
clear.
Thoroughly
Correctly identifies
two sources of
contamination,
though they can be
secondary and/or
less likely; link to
reservoir is unclear.
Adequately
No attempt to
identify any likely
sources of
contamination or
the source is not
relevant to the
reservoir.

microorganism. source and mode of
transmission of the
microorganism.
source and mode of
transmission of the
microorganism.
rationalises the
source and mode of
transmission of the
microorganism.
rationalises the
source and mode of
transmission of the
microorganism.
No attempt to
rationalise the
source and mode of
transmission of the
microorganism.
8.5-10 7.5-8 6.5-7 5-6 ≤4.5
Criterion 3 Explain
the rationale for
initial choice of
antibiotic and the
subsequent
change in
antibiotics.
Discuss the mode
of action of
dicloxacillin
Provides thorough
and accurate
scientific reasoning
for the choice of
antibiotics, their
relevant properties
and activity, with
clear and
consistent links to
the case. Clearly
and concisely
discusses the
mode of action of
dicloxacillin and
Provides an
accurate scientific
reasoning for the
choice and
antibiotics, their
relevant properties
and activity, with
clear and
consistent links to
the case. Clearly
discusses the
mode of action of
dicloxacillin and
Provides a suitable
scientific reasoning
for the choice of
antibiotics, their
relevant properties
and activity, with
clear links to the
case.
Discusses the
mode of action of
dicloxacillin and
Provides a basic
scientific reasoning
for the choice of
each of the three
antibiotics, though
links to the case
may be unclear.
States two possible
adverse reactions
caused by
Dicloxacillin
.
Fails to provide a
basic scientific
reasoning for the
choice and mode of
action of each of
the three
antibiotics.
States none of the
possible adverse
reactions caused by
Dicloxacillin
8.5-10 7.5-8 6.5-7 5-6 ≤4.5
Criterion 4
Describe the
process by which
Mary’s wound will
heal.
Provides a
thorough and
accurate
description of the
various stages and
processes by which
the wound will heal,
using correct
scientific terms
throughout.
Provides an
accurate
description of the
various stages and
processes by which
the wound will heal,
generally using
correct scientific
terms.
Provides a sound
description of the
various stages and
processes by which
the wound will heal,
using correct
scientific terms in
most instances.
Provides a basic
description of the
various stages and
processes by which
the wound will heal,
using some correct
scientific terms.
Provides little or no
description of the
various stages and
processes by which
the wound will heal,
with a lack of
correct scientific
terms.
4.5-5 4 3-3.5 2.5 ≤2
Criteria High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Unsatisfactory
Criterion 5 -
Academic style and
referencing
Consistent writing
style that
communicates
ideas coherently
using correct
sentence structure,
grammatical
construction,
spelling and
punctuation.
Referencing is
consistent,
thorough and well
used to support all
claims. All
references
consistently follow
APA 6th ed. style.
Cites at least the
four required
references
provided and
accurately presents
these citations in a
reference list.
Generally
consistent writing
style that
communicates
ideas effectively
with almost no
errors in sentence
structure,
grammatical
construction,
spelling and
punctuation.
References are
provided to support
all claims. All
references
consistently
following APA 6th
ed. style. Cites the
four required
references
provided and
accurately presents
these citations in a
reference list.
Attempts to use a
consistent writing
style to
communicate ideas
clearly, though with
some minor errors
in sentence
structure,
grammatical
construction,
spelling and
punctuation.
References are
provided to support
most claims and
references
consistently follow
APA 6th ed. style,
with minor errors
only.
Cites the four
required references
provided and
accurately presents
these citations in a
reference list.
The writing style is
acceptable, though
with some
inconsistencies.
Communicates
ideas using limited
vocabulary, with
occasional errors
in sentence and
paragraph
structure,
grammatical
construction,
spelling and
punctuation,
though the errors
do not impede
meaning.
References are
provided and
mostly follow APA
6th ed. style, with
some errors.
Some references
missing or
Poor writing style
with frequent errors
in expression,
sentence structure,
paragraph
structure, spelling
and punctuation
that impede
meaning.
References are
inadequate with
frequent errors in
referencing style.
No reference list
provided.
No or limited use of
prescribed
references,
references mainly
sourced from non-
government or non-
professional
internet sources,
such as wiki pages,
YouTube or Google
searches.

incorrect. Cites the
four required
references
provided and
accurately
presents these
citations in a
reference list.
4.5-5 4 3.5 2.5-3 ≤2