Pathophysiology Case Studies: Cancer, Hypertension, Anemia, MI

This document provides a comprehensive analysis of four distinct pathophysiology case studies. The first case examines Mr. Eustice Claudivich's cancer, detailing its causes such as aging, tobacco use, radiation, chemicals, and family history, along with the resultant hypertension. The second case focuses on Mrs. Gale, who underwent a total gastrectomy, leading to megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The treatment and physiological effects of the surgery, including tachycardia, are discussed. The third case explores the impact of myocardial infarction (MI) on shortness of breath and the development of transudative pleural effusions. The final case presents Ms. Terry Tingle's renal failure, caused by hypertension and acid-base level abnormalities, exploring the symptoms of uremic pruritus, lethargy due to anemia, and the progression to Stage 4 CKD, potentially requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant, and also discusses the nausea and vomiting that may occur. The document references relevant medical literature to support its findings.

Running head: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Pathophysiology
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Case study 1:
1. Mr. Eustice Claudivich is suffering from cancer
2. Causes of cancer:
 Growing older.
 Tobacco.
 Ionizing radiation.
 Certain chemicals and other substances.
 Family history of cancer
3. Increase in the blood pressure which is 180/95 mmHg is causing hypertension.
4. Cancer cells damage tissue in your body, which leads to swelling and triggers clotting.
Tumors also churn out chemicals that cause clots.
Case study 2:
1. A total gastrectomy in Mrs. Gale Gastritis may cause megaloblastic anemia.
2. Megaloblastic anemia is a type of Folate deficiency anemia. It’s known as vitamin B-12
or macrocytic anemia.
3. The removal of stomach causes the loss of the intrinsic-factor-secreting parietal cells in
the stomach lining. Intrinsic factor is essential for the uptake of vitamin B12 in
the terminal ileum and without it the patient will suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency.
This can lead to a type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia (Nadaleto, Herbella
and Patti 2016).
4. Yes, an oral vitamin B12 supplement is a good treatment for the patient. As it causes
deficiency of vitamin B-12 after the operation of the stomach. Oral administration of

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high-dose vitamin B12 is as effective as intramuscular administration in correcting the
deficiency, regardless of etiology because crystalline formulations are better absorbed
than naturally occurring vitamin B12.
5. After gastrectomy the stomach can no longer digest most of the sugar and starch, so the
small intestine has to draw in water from the rest of the body to help break down the
food. The amount of water that enters into small intestine can be as much as 1.5 litres.
6. Gastrectomy causes tachycardia and feeling like her heart is beating out of her chest.
Case study 3:
1. Myocardial infarction causes shortness of breath. The sonorous wheezes indicate that
there is a narrowing of the large airways or an obstruction of the bronchus.
2. Myocardial infarction destroy heart muscle tissue interfere with contraction and impair
the flow of blood and the oxygen it carries to the lungs and body. This causes shortness
of breath.
3. Myocardial infarction causes transudative pleural effusions. It develops when the
systemic factors influencing the formation or absorption of the pleural fluid are altered.
Among the conditions that produce transudative pleural effusion, congestive heart failure
is by far the most common (Takahashi, 2014).
Case study 4:
1. Ms Terry Tingle has a high blood pressure of 170/98 mm Hg, which is the main cause of
the renal failure.
2. According to the ABG’s, the acid-base level is diagnosed, as the abnormalities in the
levels of acid – base leads to the renal failure.

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3. The renal failure causes acidosis. Acidosis occurs when your kidneys and lungs can’t
keep your body’s pH in balance.
4. Experience of the following:
a. Uremic pruritus, or more aptly called "chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus"
(CKD-aP), is chronic itching that occurs in patients with advanced or end-stage
renal disease. It is known to affect about 20%-50% of patients with renal failure
and often causes long-term pain and suffering.
b. One reason for lethargy can be anemia, a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood
cells. People with CKD often have anemia because damaged kidneys make less of
a hormone called erythropoietin.
c. A person with Stage 4 CKD has advanced kidney damage with a severe decrease
in the GFR to 15-30 ml/min. It is likely someone with Stage 4 CKD will need
dialysis or a kidney transplant in the near future. Vomiting or feeling nauseated
may occur with CKD.

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References
Nadaleto, B.F., Herbella, F.A. and Patti, M.G., 2016. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in the
obese: Pathophysiology and treatment. Surgery, 159(2), pp.475-486.
Takahashi, M., 2014. NLRP3 inflammasome as a novel player in myocardial
infarction. International heart journal, 55(2), pp.101-105.