Download 8.2.6 Mystery Disease Diagnosis 8.2.6.P

Project 8.2.6 Mystery Disease Diagnosis
Introduction
In this project you will take the role of a primary care doctor who is seen by a patient
with a mystery disease.
John Doe is a 42 year old male patient who has come to you to discuss some
concerns he is having about his health. Upon physical exam you find Joe has a
blood pressure reading of 120/75, a temperature reading of 98.8 degrees
Fahrenheit, pulse of 82 beats per minute, and a respiration rate of 15 breaths per
minute. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds.
John has been a patient of yours for several years and has not had any major health
problems. You remember Joe as a happy, easy going man. Upon reviewing his chart
this morning, you noted that the last time you saw John was over a year ago for an
ankle injury he sustained playing basketball with his teenage daughter. Joe explains
that in the past several months he has been more irritable than usual and is having
trouble at work completing complicated tasks that he had been able to complete
easily in the past. He is also having trouble eating and sleeping and has lost weight
recently. As you speak with John, you notice that his fingers seem to be twitching.
You note that when he walked into the exam room, he seemed to walk awkwardly,
moving with rapid and jerky body movements.
During your conversation you begin to worry that John may be suffering from
depression as he complains of losing interest in things he once enjoyed. You ask
John about his family, and he explains that he has a wife and a 13 year old
daughter. John mentions that he thinks he may be having a rough time because his
father just passed away and he and his sister are now getting things in order, as his
mother died when John was in his 20s. When you ask about John’s mom, he said
that she got sick when he was away at college and died from pneumonia after a long
mystery illness that left her unable to walk, eat, or dress herself. John said his father
never talked about his mother’s illness and instead liked to focus on the time before
she became sick. At this point you become concerned about John’s health and
would like to run some tests to confirm the diagnosis you have in mind.
In this project you will create a pedigree from the patient history, research the
patient’s symptoms, and recommend tests to confirm your diagnosis.
Equipment
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Laboratory Journal
Pencil
Computer with Internet access
Medical History Form
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PLTW Gateway – Medical Detectives Project 8.2.6 Mystery Disease Diagnosis – Page 1
Procedure
Part 1: Medical Exam
1. Read through the description of the patient’s symptoms in the Introduction and fill
out a Medical History Form for John Doe as described below.
2. Complete the top portion of the chart, including all vital signs.
3. Take notes in the Case History section, including all symptoms that John has
identified.
4. In the Physical Exam section, note whether John’s vital signs are normal, above
normal, or below normal for his age. This website may be helpful:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002341.htm. Also add notes
on observations you made while talking with Joe.
5. With your partner create a list of symptoms you would like to investigate to
diagnose John’s mystery illness.
6. Use the Internet or other resources to find a diagnosis for John. When you think
you have found the correct diagnosis, meet with your teacher. Be ready to
defend your diagnosis with evidence from your Medical History Form.
7. When your teacher confirms that you have made the correct diagnosis, research
how this diagnosis can be confirmed. Write your recommendations on the
Medical History Form under Test Recommendations.
8. Answer conclusion questions 1-3.
Part 2: Family History
9. During your medical exam, Joe spoke about his family. In the space below, draw
a pedigree for John’s family with your class.
10. Research how the mystery illness is passed through families. What are the
chances that John’s daughter will become sick?
11. Answer the remaining conclusion questions.
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PLTW Gateway – Medical Detectives Project 8.2.6 Mystery Disease Diagnosis – Page 2
Conclusion
1. What mystery disease do you think is causing John’s symptoms? Why do you
believe this is the correct diagnosis?
2. What medical test did you recommend for the patient? How is this test
performed?
3. Your patient, John Doe, is concerned about the laboratory test. Write a note to
him explaining how the test is performed and what happens after he leaves the
lab.
4. After completing the pedigree, what do you think caused John’s mom to develop
pneumonia and die?
5. What is the probability that John’s daughter will become sick as an adult?
Explain.
© 2013 Project Lead The Way, Inc.
PLTW Gateway – Medical Detectives Project 8.2.6 Mystery Disease Diagnosis – Page 3