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Organism and Tetanus Assignment

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Added on  2019-11-19

Organism and Tetanus Assignment

   Added on 2019-11-19

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This template must be used to answer the case study. (Please type your answers within the box underneath each question)Student name (LAST NAME first name):Student number:Campus:Tutorial session (time and room no.):Tutor’s name:1.Rationale for giving Mary a tetanus booster (Total: 5 marks)1.1What is the organism that causes tetanus and why is it of concern in this situation? The causative organism for tetanus is Clostridium tetani and can be found in manure containing garden soil. On infecting a wound it can live anaerobically, is a Gram-positive, endospore-forming, non-capsule forming pathogenic bacterium. The fact thatit is found in soil and can infect a wound is a matter of concern in Mary's case. Because she suffered a 4cm deep cut on her leg while working in the garden, she may have exposed herself to C. tetani endospores. It is also not clear whether she has received a tetanus vaccine recently [ CITATION Imm17 \l 16393 ].1.2According to the guidelines in the “The Australian Immunisation Handbook” (Dept. of health, 2017) on administering a tetanus booster, discuss the rationale for giving Mary the tetanus boosterThe rationale for giving Mary a tetanus booster is that she is 50 years of age and all Australians above this age are recommended for a tetanus toxoid booster, particularlyif they have not received one during the previous 10 years. Besides, there have been cases where a booster has not protected people with minor wounds from getting tetanus, so a booster soon after the injury is usually given. Also, her exposure to garden soil puts Mary at a risk of Clostridium tetani infection.2.Physiological basis of the three wound observations (Total: 10 marks) 2.1For each of the three wound observations indicate, and provide a rationale, as to whether it is a sign or a symptom.As soon as injury occurs, an acute inflammatory response sets in. The process of homeostasis begins in order to prepare for repair of the injured tissue.2.2Discuss the physiological basis of the first observation.The wound edges are hot to touch and red. There is an instant release of chemicals that cause inflammation. These include histamines, complement components, prostaglandins and kinins among others. Under the impact of these the arterioles dilate and the permeability of their walls increases. This increases blood flow to the area so it appears red. Chemotactic movement of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils to the area increases. An increase in the local temperature increases the
Organism and Tetanus Assignment_1
metabolic rate of cells in the vicinity of the injury, so the area is hot to touch. Cells withphagocytic action, such as macrophages identify and kill the pathogens at the site of the injury [ CITATION Mar14 \l 16393 ].`2.3Discuss the physiological basis of the second observation.The surrounding tissue is swollen because of the leakage of fluid from the capillaries. This leads to the formation of exudate. The spaces between tissues are filled with the protein-rich fluid and this causes swelling of the tissue. It is also referred to as edema.Often the swollen tissue is painful and restricts activity in the affected area, thus forcing the patient to rest. This allows the process of repair to occur faster[ CITATION Mar14 \l 16393 ].2.4Discuss the physiological basis of the third observation.A purulent and odorous discharge is a sign that the wound is infected. Mary has also complained of fever and may have to take systemic antibiotics in order to treat the infection. In Mary's case the exposure of the wound to garden soil could be the reason why her wound became infected with microorganisms. The warm, moist and nutrition rich environment of the subcutaneous tissue promotes the growth of pathogenic organisms. The immune system responds by increasing exudate formation, inflammation and swelling and pain[ CITATION Bow01 \l 16393 ]. The wound can be sampled for a culture test to determine the pathogen and a sensitivity test can help to find the antibiotic that the infectious pathogen/s is sensitive to[ CITATION Bow01 \l 16393 ]. Once the antibiotic is administered it can kill the pathogen and help in the recovery from the injury.3.Development and benefits of fever (Total: 5 marks).3.1How did Mary’s fever develop?Mary developed fever as a consequence of the inflammatory response to the infection of her wound. Release of exogenous pyrogens in the form of endotoxins released by the pathogenic organism can stimulate the release of endogenous pyrogens or cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and interferons. Prostaglandin E2 and endothelin I along with corticotrophin-releasing factor are released in response to the pyrogens. These act upon the preoptic area, a region of the anterior hypothalamus and trigger a febrile response. The temperature balance point is then raised to a higher level than it normally is. Heat production in the body follows accompanied by conservation of the heat and the body temperature begins to rise, resulting in fever[ CITATION Cra15 \l 16393 ].3.2Discuss two ways in which fever is beneficial.Fever is beneficial in reducing infection because it can kill pathogens because they cannot multiply at higher body temperature. It reduces
Organism and Tetanus Assignment_2

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