Case Study

Case Study, Chapter 30, Respiratory Tract Infections, Neoplasms, and Childhood Disorders
Patricia was called at work by a woman at the local day care center. She told Patricia to come and pick up
her son because he was not feeling well. Her son, 3½-year-old Marshall, had been feeling tired and achy
when he woke up. While at day care, his cheeks had become red, and he was warm to touch. He did not
want to play with his friends, and by the time Patricia arrived, he was crying. Later that afternoon,
Marshall’s condition worsened. He had fever, chills, a sore throat, runny nose, and a dry hacking cough.
Suspecting Marshall had influenza, Patricia wrapped him up and took him to the community health care
clinic (Learning Objective 1).
1.Why did Marshall’s presentation lead Patricia to think he had influenza and not a cold? Why is it
important to medically evaluate and diagnose a potential influenza infection?
2.Describe the pathophysiology of the influenza virus. Outline the properties of influenza A antigens that
allow them to exert their effects in the host.
3.Marshall may be at risk at contracting secondary bacterial pneumonia. Why is this so? Explain why
cyanosis may be a feature associated with pneumonia.