Pharmacology case study
Case Study – 1925 words
Rationale
1. Basic pharmacological principles to be able to understand treatment strategies.
2. Key drug categories used in the management of major medical conditions.
3. Their un-wanted effects and potential drug interactions.
Task (what needs to be covered)
1. Introduction (100 words)
2. Based on the case, establish and justify diagnostic hypotheses and the most probable diagnosis (250 words)
3. Discuss the pathophysiological basis of the key symptoms and signs presented in the case (350 words)
4. Identify and discuss the key therapeutic principles (therapeutic goals) for the management of condition (450 words)
5. Suggest two (2) drugs that can be used to address each of the therapeutic principles/goals (675 words)
a) Discuss full details of the drugs mechanisms of action
b) Possible side effects
c) Important precautions of these drugs and potential drug interactions (if any).
d) Be as detailed as possible
6. Please note for dot point number 4 and 5 – the best possible therapeutic principles need to be identified and justified. All drugs listed are best possible choices and their treatment objectives and explained in great details. An excellent level of understanding of the mechanisms of action of the drugs, their adverse affects and potential interactions also need to be demonstrated (please think about any possible drug interaction with any current medications the patient is taking)
7. Conclusion (100 words)
Please note – please use ‘generic’ names for the chosen drugs, not the brand nor the chemical name.
Assessment Criteria
Assessment will be based on
1. Demonstrate clinical reasoning skill in establishment of diagnoses and ability to relate the patient’s complaints, symptoms and signs to pathophysiological processes.
2. Demonstrate the ability to establish therapeutic goals, to identify appropriate drugs and to discuss their mechanisms of action, adverse effects and potential interactions.
3. Demonstrated accurate academic writing and evidence of wide reading and use appropriate recent literature.
4. Use minimum of 10 high quality literatures, and other reliable sources. The literatures need to be not more than 5 years old.
5. APA style referencing.
Case Study
Present history: John is a 60-year-old male plumber who has been suffering from hypertension for the last 10 years. Three years ago he developed occasional episodes of squeezing and pressure-like chest pain that comes during physical exertion and subsides on rest. Since then these episodes have become more frequent and more troublesome. He also complains of tiredness, poor effort tolerance and swollen ankles. He becomes breathless especially when he walks longer distances and at night, so he has to sleep on two pillows. These problems have significantly reduced his ability to work. John is currently on medication for his hypertension.
Past history: He doesn’t have any other known conditions; he never had asthma or any other verified respiratory disease. He has been smoking for 30 years but managed to quit 1 year ago. In the last three years he has had frequent heartburn problems, especially at night, that appear to be exacerbated by large meals and beer that he enjoys.
Family history: His father died aged 58 from a heart attack; his mother had a mild stroke 5 years ago but managed to recover almost completely. She also has high blood pressure. Patient’s both sisters have high blood cholesterol and are taking medications for it.