Reginald Bowen (Gastroenteritis) Case Study

Running head: GASTROENTERITIS 1
REGINALD BOWEN (GASTROENTERITIS) CASE STUDY
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GASTROENTERITIS 2
Introduction
The virtual patient for this essay is Reginald Bowen, a 76-year-old male with
gastroenteritis. Reg presented with lethargy, severe abdominal pain, headache, diarrhea,
inability to urinate and vomiting. He has an history of Gastro Esophageal Reflex Disease
(GERD) and Benign Hypertrophic Prostate (BPH). He has a surgical history of Transurethral
Resection of the Prostate and Right Inguinal Repair. His mother died of lung metastasizes
secondary to primary breast cancer. Fecal pathology detected Norovirus Nucleic acid
confirming that he has norovirus. This essay will discuss anatomy and physiology,
microbiology and pathophysiology issues relating to this patient.
Anatomy and Physiology
The gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) which runs from the mouth to the anus. The
alimentary canal of the GIT consists of esophagus, pharynx, mouth, small and large intestines
while the accessory part of the GIT consists of teeth, tongue, salivary glands, gallbladder,
liver and pancreas (Bruggink et al., 2012, pp.1437-1448). The GIT is subject to viral
infections during interaction with the environment. For instance, viral gastroenteritis is
associated with inflammation of the GIT leading to severe abdominal pain, vomiting and
diarrhea. Viral gastroenteritis impairs the normal functioning of organs GIT organs like
intestines and the stomach (Gelberg, 2014, pp.54-66).
The process of digestion involves passage of food along the GIT where it is broken
down into small particles to facilitate nutrient absorption into the blood stream. Chemical
fragmentation of the large molecules of food into clusters of smaller molecules is usually
facilitate by the presence of bacteria and enzymes in the GIT. After nutrient absorption, the
remnants are exposed as excrements via the large intestine (Bruggink et al., 2012, pp.1437-
1448).