Jax is a 66-year-old Caucasian female whose wife has encouraged her to seek treatment. She has never been in therapy before and has no history of depression or anxiety. However, her alcohol use has recently been getting in the way of her marriage, and interfering with her newly-retired life. She describes drinking increasing amounts over the last year, currently consuming approximately a six-pack of beer per day. She notes that this amount “doesn’t give me the same buzz as it used to.” She denies ever experiencing “the shakes” or any other withdrawal symptoms if she skips a day of drinking.

Jax comments that her wife is her biggest motivation to decrease her alcohol use. She tells Jax that she gets argumentative and irritable when she drinks, though she does not always remember these incidents. She has also fallen while intoxicated twice, causing bruises both times and hitting her head on one of the occasions.

1. Describe the presenting problems/issues. Is there any information that was not provided that you would need to formulate a diagnosis?
2. Generate a primary and differential diagnosis using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM5)  and International Center for Diseases 10 codes.
3. What physiological and psychological processes lead to substance dependence?

Discuss the normal functions of the lungs that help filter the air coming into the lungs and push any dust or particulate matter out of the lungs. If the physician recommends that a patient have a lobectomy for lung cancer, how many lobes could be excised from each lung, while still leaving at least one lobe?

Describe the pathophysiology behind one of the key pharmacological options used post-delivery in the management of this imminent delivery condition. What is your concern at this point, outline and discuss the likely potential cause of this substantial blood loss.

A physician hands you a critical lab value result for a female patient with a low potassium level (an electrolyte important in heart function). He asks you to contact the patient right away and gives you a list of instructions to give to the patient. It is Friday evening and the office does not open again until Monday morning.

The physician is late to a special dinner and leaves you all alone. You call the patient’s home phone number only to find the number disconnected. The patient does not list a cell number. You try to reach her daughter, who is listed as a contact but there is no answer and no voicemail. It’s getting late and you want to go home. What would be your most logical solution? What are the possible consequences of waiting until the following Monday to contact the patient? Discuss with your classmates your answers to the above questions. Be sure to respond to their post by explaining why you agree or disagree with their post.

What does think most of our medical terms for pathology have to do with? Remember that pathology is a result of the dysfunction of a body system. Give two examples from what you currently know. Skin is the largest organ and the largest part of the immune system! Can you think of some terms that contain the word parts for skin?