A Typical Cold? by Brent J.F. Hill

Part III—Your Explanation of Sam’s Condition

Upon completing Part II, each member of your group is now the “expert” for a particular learning issue that is involved with Sam’s condition. Hopefully, this research has either reaffirmed your hypothesis about Sam’s condition or enabled you to formulate a new hypothesis. If you are unsure whether you are “on the right track,” please check with the instructor. Your next task is to prepare a group report that addresses the points detailed below.

Objectives and Issues to Address in Preparing Your Final Group Report

What type of disease is Sam suffering from?
What tissues and organs does this disease affect? Once you identify all the tissues and organs, briefly explain their respective dysfunction.
Does this disease affect exocrine or endocrine glands; please explain your answer. In addition, what role do goblet cells play in this disease state?
Explain the reasoning behind the appearance of his sputum.
Typically, a pulmonary function test will not be given until about age 7. However, if Sam was given a pulmonary function test it will demonstrate a decreased FEV₁ (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) and FVC (forced vital capacity). Based on these hypothetical pulmonary function test results, answer the following questions:
1. What can you infer about the surface area and/or diffusion distance for gas exchange in Sam’s lungs?
2. How does the presence of sputum relate to Sam’s pulmonary function tests?
3. Do these tests correlate with Sam’s chest x-ray results? Make sure you explain your answer.
Explain how this disease affects the function of the pulmonary system on a cellular level. You might want to diagram a cell to help with the explanation. Make sure you specifically address osmosis (water movement) and ion transport of the cell.
Explain why the sweat chloride test (Part II) is used as a diagnostic tool for Sam’s disease. In addition, suggest why the pediatrician should order a “nasal potential difference measurement” to be taken.
Explain and give the reasoning behind two treatment options.

Part III Final Group Report

Give a complete and detailed physiological and/or anatomical reasoning behind your answers to the objectives above.
In addressing the questions and issues above, you may indicate the question number and then give your explanation in narrative form.
Limit your report to five to six pages, excluding references.
Cite all sources. This includes both in-text citations and a bibliography list at the end of your report.

Originally published at http://www.sciencecases.org/typical_cold/typical_cold3.asp