Module 02 Case Study

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?

QUESTION 2

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

		Squamous cell carcinoma
		Basal cell carcinoma
		Basal adenoma
		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
		Measurement of less than 3 mm
		All of these factors are warning signs
		Black and brown color

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.

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?

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?

QUESTION 8

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

		Radiation
		Chemotherapy
		Antibiotic therapy
		Surgical removal

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.)

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.

QUESTION 11

1. 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?

		First degree
		Full thickness
		Second degree
		Third degree

QUESTION 12

1. 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 partial dermis
		Epidermis, dermis, and underlying tissues
		Epidermis and hypodermis
		Dermis only

QUESTION 13

1. 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%
		36%
		13.5%

QUESTION 14

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

QUESTION 15

1. 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.

QUESTION 16

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

		Hyperthermia
		Blood loss
		Shock
		Hypovolemia

QUESTION 17

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

		Burn cream and bandages
		Aloe to control pain and rinsing area daily with purified water
		Antibiotic and antiviral oral medication
		Debriding and skin grafting

QUESTION 18

1. 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.

QUESTION 19

1. 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
		Electricity
		Radiation

QUESTION 20

1. 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.)