Body Systems Key Integumentary system Skeletal Muscular Nervous Cardiovascular Respiratory Lymphatic and immune system Digestive Urinary Endocrine system Anna: Age 14 months Diagnosed with sickle cell anemia Symptoms included: High respiratory rate is elevated and shortness of breath Pale skin, nails, and lips Elevated heart rate Splenic Sequestration Pain from clotting RBC Anna: Age 10 Treatment for Sickle Cell Pain in chest-acute chest syndrome from clotting RBC Hard to breathe Pain in legs- clotting RBC Anna: Age 14 Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes High glucose levels Low insulin levels Excessive thirst Frequent urination Fatigue
Anna: Age 17 Continued treatment with Sickle Cell
Pain crises Acute chest syndrome Bone problems in hip Anna: Age 22 Continued treatment for sickle cell Avascular necrosis in hip joint Bone dying Anna: Age 37 Diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia Average resting heart rate very high Tingling sensation- peripheral vascular disease High cholesterol
Anna: Age 38 Admitted into Hospital and Diagnosed with a UTI Admitted for sickle cell crisis Fatigue Extreme pain in extremities Developed a UTI while in hospital Preventative Interventions Long-term Insulin injections Test for ketones Treat Urinary tract infection Check glucose level Short-term Call for help Insulin injections Test for ketones Replace fluids Check glucose level How did Anna die? Anna died from Diabetic Ketoacidosis. In the hours/days before her death, she had not been taking her insulin for her diabetes and her glucose level was very high. Without the insulin, her body could not use the glucose to have energy. Fat was broken down for energy but this creates acids called ketones that built up in her blood and urine. In high levels of ketones, they can be poisonous. Before Anna died, she had been trying to inject insulin into the muscle in her leg; this created three small abrasions seen in the autopsy. The ketoacidosis decreased alertness which made her eye-coordination worse so she could not inject the insulin. Anna also had cerebral edema which made her dizzy; this caused her to fall and made abrasions which can be seen in the autopsy. Anna also vomited which was caused by the ketoacidosis. Anna had also not been taking her ACE inhibitor medication for her high blood pressure; her heart was working harder than it should have. Question #2 The endocrine system and nervous system malfunctions both contributed to Annas death. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system and Anna has type 1 diabetes, her pancreas does not produce insulin. Without insulin, Annas body could not use the glucose to make energy. Her body broke down fat cells instead for energy which produces ketones. During the autopsy, cerebral edema was evident. This can cause fluid build up in the brain which can decrease the functions in the brain; the brain is part of the nervous system. Question #3 Anna would be experiencing the symptoms of ketoacidosis such as decreased alertness, deep, rapid breathing, frequent urination or thirst that lasts for a day or more, headache, muscle stiffness or aches, nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain
Question #4 Some interventions that might have saved Anna are a insulin pump and a medical alert system. Question #5 I would like to learn more about a Microbiologist and a clinical laboratory technician. I would like to go into the science department and these two careers sound appealing. They both involve work in a lab and the projected job growth looks very good.