Anyone Who Had A Heart: A Case Study in Physiology 4

by **MEDI** Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:47 pm

Part IV—Brianna

Here is a table of some of the children’s vital signs soon after they
arrived in the Intensive care Unit:

ParameterBriannaChristopher

Color of finger tips and lips	Blue (Cyanotic)	Pink
Heart rate (b/m)	160	120
Heart sounds	Lub whirrrrrr dup	Normal
Blood pressure	85/55	110/70
Arterial PO₂	100	100
Behavior	Lethargic; sleepy	Normal
Breathing	Heavy, rapid, congested	Normal
Feeding	Disinterested	Normal

Brianna’s congestion is becoming progressively worse and she is
coughing. And, although she is lethargic, the coughing is keeping her
awake.

Questions

What new signs or symptoms do the two babies exhibit?
What are the possible diagnoses for Brianna’s condition
at this time? For each diagnosis that you come up with, describe the
signs or symptoms that relate to that diagnosis.
If you were the pediatrician, what tests would you
perform to help you narrow the possible diagnoses for Brianna’s
condition?