Question 01:
Jasper is a 7-year-old boy who has had flu-like symptoms for several weeks. It was mild at first, but his parents noticed that he was getting worse. They took him to his pediatrician last week, but he was sent home with suggestions to use OTC medication to treat his symptoms while his body recovered from what appeared to be a mild infection. Jasper appears weak, has lost 3-4 pounds in the last month, and has been complaining of headaches. Jasper’s parents have now brought him back to the clinic, and another physician orders a CBC.
What is a CBC? In your own words, briefly describe why it is useful.
Question 02:
Jasper exhibits many symptoms that could relate to a diagnosis of leukemia. List and briefly explain 2 other symptoms of leukemia that are NOT mentioned in this case study.
Question 03:
What is the most common type of childhood leukemia? In your own words, briefly describe the pathophysiology of the disease.
Question 04:
In your own words, briefly describe the difference between myelogenous and lymphocytic leukemia.
Question 05:
Assuming that Jasper has the most common type of childhood leukemia, what is his prognosis?
Question 06:
Elsa is an 11-month-old girl. Her parents have brought her to her pediatrician because they have noticed she seems lethargic and pale. Both parents have noticed that she appears bloated, doesn’t want to eat as much as she has before, and is tired and “cranky all the time.” They suspected she might be suffering from anemia since she was being fed a low-iron formula, so they had switched to a high-iron formula. The change made no difference in her symptoms. The pediatrician notes that Elsa’s belly appears swollen. Her vital signs show that her temperature is normal and her heart rate is on the low end of the normal range for her age. She has dropped from the 50th percentile in height and weight (at her last check-up) to the 10th percentile in both height and weight.
Question 07:
In your own words, briefly describe why Elsa’s parents changed her formula to the high-iron baby formula.
Question 08:
Elsa’s blood sample was analyzed under a microscope and it was determined that her red blood cells were “hyperchromatic” and “microcytic.” Explain, in your own words, what these terms mean.
Question 09:
In your own words, explain why hemoglobin is important in hematology.
Question 10:
In your own words, briefly describe how thalassemia is related to Elsa’s failure to thrive.