Peta is a retired, 65-year-old woman, who has been drinking a couple of alcoholic beverages every night whilst relaxing
Posted: Mon May 23, 2022 1:27 pm
Peta is a retired, 65-year-old woman, who has been drinking a
couple of alcoholic beverages every night whilst relaxing with her
husband. She has also started smoking again, which she has not done
since prior to her marriage 40 years ago. In fact, what started as
a couple of cigarettes every day has now become a packet a day.
More recently, her friends have noticed that she stumbles quite
often, forgets things, is moody, and is flushed in the face almost
all the time. When questioned about the amount she drinks, she
denies excessive use. She states that while she has 3–4 glasses of
vodka every night. However, because she has noticed that she no
longer gets the same pleasurable feelings from a couple of glasses
as before, she doesn’t think the alcohol affects her as much as her
friends suggest. Further, Peta has also lost interest in many
things she once enjoyed; dancing, going to the movies, and her art
class. She cries at the drop of a hat, finds it difficult falling
asleep at night, which led her to drink even more—often until she
passes out. She has no energy to get up and just wants to stay in
bed all day. After several unsuccessful attempt, her husband, Ken,
finally could convince her to seek professional help about her
condition. At the medical clinic, the GP listens to Peta’s signs
and symptoms, conducts a thorough physical examination, and then
prescribes a benzodiazepine (Xanax) and a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (Zoloft) for her. Peta is also given information
on counselling and is referred to a professional counsellor to talk
through her problems and help her with finding adequate coping
strategies.
Question 1/1. Based on the scenario outlined above, identify two
diseases/conditions Peta has and by stating relevant facts from the
case study, justify your answer. (3 marks)
Question 1/2. For one of the diseases/conditions you have
identified in Question 1/1, link the pathophysiology to the
characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease. (2 marks)
Question 1/3. For the disease you have selected in Question ½,
describe the mechanism of action of the relevant drug Peta is
prescribed with and explain how these drug actions help mitigate
some of her symptoms. In your answer, relate the drug’s mechanism
of action to the pathophysiology of the disease. (3 marks)
couple of alcoholic beverages every night whilst relaxing with her
husband. She has also started smoking again, which she has not done
since prior to her marriage 40 years ago. In fact, what started as
a couple of cigarettes every day has now become a packet a day.
More recently, her friends have noticed that she stumbles quite
often, forgets things, is moody, and is flushed in the face almost
all the time. When questioned about the amount she drinks, she
denies excessive use. She states that while she has 3–4 glasses of
vodka every night. However, because she has noticed that she no
longer gets the same pleasurable feelings from a couple of glasses
as before, she doesn’t think the alcohol affects her as much as her
friends suggest. Further, Peta has also lost interest in many
things she once enjoyed; dancing, going to the movies, and her art
class. She cries at the drop of a hat, finds it difficult falling
asleep at night, which led her to drink even more—often until she
passes out. She has no energy to get up and just wants to stay in
bed all day. After several unsuccessful attempt, her husband, Ken,
finally could convince her to seek professional help about her
condition. At the medical clinic, the GP listens to Peta’s signs
and symptoms, conducts a thorough physical examination, and then
prescribes a benzodiazepine (Xanax) and a selective serotonin
reuptake inhibitor (Zoloft) for her. Peta is also given information
on counselling and is referred to a professional counsellor to talk
through her problems and help her with finding adequate coping
strategies.
Question 1/1. Based on the scenario outlined above, identify two
diseases/conditions Peta has and by stating relevant facts from the
case study, justify your answer. (3 marks)
Question 1/2. For one of the diseases/conditions you have
identified in Question 1/1, link the pathophysiology to the
characteristic signs and symptoms of the disease. (2 marks)
Question 1/3. For the disease you have selected in Question ½,
describe the mechanism of action of the relevant drug Peta is
prescribed with and explain how these drug actions help mitigate
some of her symptoms. In your answer, relate the drug’s mechanism
of action to the pathophysiology of the disease. (3 marks)