BSC2346 Module 02 Case Study

QUESTION 1

Since childhood, Linda has always enjoyed the outdoors. She tries to spend as much time outside in the summer as she can because she lives in the Pacific Northwest, where summers are short. Now, Linda is 62 years old and is taking her grandchildren to the same lake house where she spent long days boating, swimming, and playing sports as a child.

Linda has noticed an itchy skin lesion on the superior portion of her right ear within the past two weeks. She is beginning to worry because it doesn’t seem to be healing. She packed a large-brimmed hat for her lake trip to keep her face and ears out of the sun. She wants to make sure she is helping protect her grandchildren from any potential skin damage, too.

If Linda’s lesion is a sign of cancer, which types of skin cancer do you think it could be? What other information would you need to know to make a more educated diagnosis?

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QUESTION 2

Which of the following is the most deadly type of skin cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma

Basal adenoma

Basal cell carcinoma

Melanoma

QUESTION 3

Linda asks her son, who is a nurse, to look at the lesion. He notices that the lesion has an asymmetric border, is black and brown, and measures less than 3 mm. Which of these factors is NOT a warning sign of cancer?

Asymmetric border

Black and brown color

All of these factors are warning signs

Measurement of less than 3 mm

QUESTION 4

Linda’s son thinks a biopsy might be necessary and urges her to follow-up with a dermatologist. In your own words, briefly describe the process of a skin biopsy.

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QUESTION 5

Humans have a natural protection against UV light called melanin, produced by melanocytes. Which layer of skin contains melanocytes?

Epidermis

Dermis

Reticular layer

Hypodermis

QUESTION 6

In your own words, what is the difference between a benign and a malignant tumor?

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QUESTION 7

Linda had a grandfather who was diagnosed with melanoma. She is now wondering if she inherited a gene that has caused her to have melanoma, too. Could this be true? Why or why not?

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QUESTION 8

If Linda’s biopsy is positive for melanoma, which of the following would NOT be a treatment option?

Surgical removal

Chemotherapy

Antibiotic therapy

Radiation

QUESTION 9

How has Linda’s exposure to sun throughout her life contributed to her possible melanoma? (Hint: think about what happens to the DNA of skin cells.)

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QUESTION 10

How can Linda help protect her grandchildren when they are spending time outdoors? Be specific, use your own words, and include at least 3 ideas.

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QUESTION 11

Craig works in a factory and is often exposed to extremely corrosive chemicals. He always follows the proper safety precautions when necessary. One day, his coworker tripped on a staircase and Craig rushed to see if he was okay. As he tried to help his coworker stand up, Craig’s hands and arms began to tingle and burn intensely.

He looked around and realized that the box his coworker was carrying had been filled with a corrosive material and had spilled on his bare hands and arms. Craig immediately ran to the sink and began running water over his skin, while his coworkers called 911. He was rushed to the hospital. While riding in the ambulance, he was in excruciating pain. He observed large blisters forming over his right arm, while his left hand seemed to hurt less than the right, but appeared to be more damaged.

The blisters forming on Craig’s right arm indicate that his burns are at LEAST which type?

Full thickness

First degree

Third degree

Second degree

QUESTION 12

Craig’s left hand is more damaged and the EMTs believe it is a third degree burn. If they are correct, which layers are damaged?

Epidermis and hypodermis

Dermis only

Epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues

Epidermis and partial dermis

QUESTION 13

Craig’s left arm has sustained damaged on the anterior and posterior aspects from fingers to shoulder. His right arm and hand have sustained damage on the anterior surface only. How much of his body has been experienced burn damage?

9%

18%

13.5%

36%

QUESTION 14

Did Craig do the right thing by rushing to the sink to rinse his skin with running water? Why or why not?

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QUESTION 15

Craig noticed that his left hand appeared to be the most damaged portion of his skin, but it didn’t hurt as intensely as the less damaged skin. In your own words, explain how this is possible.

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QUESTION 16

All of the following are potential complications of Craig’s injuries EXCEPT:

Blood loss

Hypovolemia

Shock

Hyperthermia

QUESTION 17

Assuming Craig has sustained third degree burns, which of the following treatment options is most likely and most effective?

Antibiotic and antiviral oral medication

Debriding and skin grafting

Aloe to control pain and rinsing area daily with purified water

Burn cream and bandages

QUESTION 18

Explain, in your own words, why a full-thickness skin graft may be a better choice for Craig’s wounds when compared to a split-thickness skin graft.

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QUESTION 19

Craig’s injuries were caused by chemical burns. Which of the following factors can also cause third degree burns?

Heat

All of these choices can cause third degree burns

Radiation

Electricity

QUESTION 20

Research new types of burn care/treatment. Briefly describe a new burn treatment technique that has been developed in the past 5 years. (Rasmussen’s Library and journal databases are a great place to start your research.)