Case 35 : CLONED COPIES
Case Study 35 :CLONED COPIES Challenges A one-year-old boy dies in an accident. A few days earlier they read the news that some scientists have been trying to clone human beings. The parents decide to freeze some of their baby’s cells and eventually clone them, as they want to have their child back. Question How […]
Case 34 : GENETIC SCREENING
Case Study 33 : GENETIC COUNSELING Challenges A 42-year-old G4P3, four-month pregnant mother visited the clinic. Given her age, the doctor felt concerned about the possibility of the fetus’ having Down Syndrome, a risk currently estimated at one per 100 births for women of 40 years and above. She was advised to undergo genetic screening […]
Case 33 : GENETIC COUNSELING
Case Study 33 : GENETIC COUNSELING Challenges A baby girl was born 6 months ago via normal spontaneous delivery, full term, to a 32-year-old G4P3 mother, with no fetomaternal complications. At age 3 months she showed no head control, unable to sit even with support, and with generalized hypotonia. At six months she was hooked […]
Case 32 : OFFERING HOPE
Case Study 32 : OFFERING HOPE Challenges A 22 year-old male was admitted due to extensive chemical burn injuries involving the face, torso and extremities inflicted by his sister. Initial findings were severe anterior ocular ischemia with vision of counting fingers at one foot, both eyes. His condition deteriorated despite efforts made on both eyes, […]
Case 31 : DISTRESSING TRUTH
Case Study 31 : DISTRESSING TRUTH Challenges A 32-year-old female, G4P4, admitted due to abdominal pain, was diagnosed with cervical carcinoma, stage III; she underwent cobalt therapy. Doctors contemplated total hysterectomy, but remain unsure of her prognosis. Question What are some considerations when informing patients of their precarious condition? Solutions The goal remains telling patients […]
Case 30 : DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY
Case Study 30 : DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY Challenges An 81-year old male diagnosed with COPD and chronic bronchial asthma was admitted due to difficulty in breathing. Two hours prior to admission, the patient suffered sudden difficulty in breathing and became cyanotic, but medications offered sufficient relief. In view of his deteriorating condition and age, […]
Case 29 :ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE
Case Study 29 : ADVANCE MEDICAL DIRECTIVE Challenges A 60-year old widow, G8P8, was admitted because of abdominal pain. The abdomen was partially distended, tender especially in the lower half, with fullness to palpation. Physicians diagnosed her with cervical carcinoma, stage III-B. No operation was contemplated due to the advanced stage of the disease. The […]
Case 28 : UNAVAILABLE DOCTORS
Case Study 28 : UNAVAILABLE DOCTORS Challenges Patient had profuse vaginal bleeding after spontaneous vaginal delivery in a maternity clinic and arrived at the Emergency Department hypotensive with ongoing transfusion of the 9th unit of fresh whole blood. The doctor of her choice was unfortunately out of town, so she asked for another doctor, who in turn […]
Case 26 : EXTREMELY PREMATURE INFANTS
Case Study 26 : EXTREMELY PREMATURE INFANTS Challenges A baby boy was born pre-term at 24 weeks age of gestation by last menstrual period, to a 19 year old G2P1, via spontaneous vaginal delivery, with no difficult extraction nor meconium staining. At birth patient spontaneously opened his eyes, had a weak cry, heart rate less […]
Case 25 : OPERATION COMPLICATIONS
Case Study 25 : OPERATION COMPLICATIONS Challenges A 58-year-old female developed episodes of mild, crampy abdominal pain over 3 months. Physicians diagnosed her with malignant ovarian tumor and thus advised surgery. During the operation, the surgeon inadvertently punctured the aorta. The team immediately rectified this by calling in a vascular surgeon. Upon recovery, the patient […]
Case 24 : HOSPICE CARE
Case Study 24 : HOSPICE CARE Challenges An 85-year-old married female was admitted because of body weakness, poor food intake and continuous severe pains in the lower half of the body. CT scan showed multiple lung metastasis as well as lymph nodes and masses growing inwards and compressing the urinary bladder. The patient felt very […]
Case 23 : INCOMPETENT ADULT’S PROXY
Case Study 23 : INCOMPETENT ADULT’S PROXY Challenges A 72 year old female was admitted due to fever that began four days prior to admission. On admission. The patient had a fever of 37.8ºC and hypogastric and right lower quadrant tenderness. Initial laboratory examination revealed pyuria, leukocytosis and hypoalbuminemia. CT scan of the lower abdomen […]
