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1. Pathophysiology Across The Lifespan Week 9 Discussion
Pathophysiology Across The Lifespan Week 9 DiscussionPathophysiology Across The
Lifespan Week 9 DiscussionMake sure all of the topics in the case study have been
addressed.Cite at least three sources—journal articles, textbooks or evidenced-based
websites to support the content.All sources must be within five years.Do not use .com,
Wikipedia, or up-to-date, etc., for your sources.Case Study 1Organization and Control of
Neural FunctionRiku is a 19-year-old college student. One morning, after a long night of
studying, Riku woke up and made himself a hot cup of coffee and toast.Much to his surprise,
when he brought the cup to his mouth to drink, the coffee spilt onto the table. Riku went to
the bathroom mirror and noticed the left side of his face seemed to droop. He quickly got
dressed and ran to the medical clinic on the college campus. As he ran, his left eye began to
feel scratchy and dry, but he could not blink in response. The physician at the clinic listened
to Riku’s story and then did a careful cranial nerve examination. She concluded that Riku
had Bell palsy, an inflammatory condition of the facial nerve most likely caused by a
virus.ORDER NOW FOR CUSTOMIZED, PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPERSWhat are an afferent
neuron and efferent neuron? What are efferent components of the facial nerve and their
actions?Under certain circumstances, axons in the peripheral nervous system can
regenerate after sustaining damage. Why is axonal regeneration in the central nervous
system much less likely?At a healthy myoneural junction, acetylcholine is responsible for
stimulating muscle activity. What mechanisms are in place to prevent the continuous
stimulation of a muscle fiber after the neurotransmitter is released from the presynaptic
membrane?Case Study 2Somatosensory Function, Pain, and HeadacheRamandeep is an
active 23-year-old. She works as a part-time nurse during the day and is studying for a
postgraduate certificate in the evening. Ramandeep started to wear a bite plate at night
after she began to experience jaw pain and headaches. Sometimes the pain radiated to her
ear, and she would apply a hot water bottle to it to ease the discomfort. Her husband
mentioned to her that he heard her grinding her teeth at night while she was sleeping. She
knew then that her headaches might be from temporomandibular joint syndrome, and she
went to her dentist to confirm her thoughts. In addition to the bite plate, the dentist also
recommended she should continue with the application of heat, use NSAIDs when needed,
and incorporate regular relaxation exercises throughout her stressful days.What effect does
heat have on nociceptors so that it makes a good nonpharmacologic treatment for
pain?Heat and cold treatment are both hypothesized to have an effect on the release of
endogenous opioids. What are these chemicals, and why are they hypothesized to be

2. beneficial in the body?Using your knowledge of physiology, how do NSAID analgesics
function in the management of pain? Pathophysiology Across The Lifespan Week 9
DiscussionCase Study 3Disorders of Motor FunctionJohn is 63 years old and receives home
care by an occupational therapist twice a week. His therapist is currently working with John
on maintaining joint flexibility and balance. John demonstrates resting tremor, so his
therapist is also working on adaptive techniques, so John can continue to use his hands to
write, use the computer, and cook simple meals. John’s wife assists with his mobility and
walks slowly beside him, holding his arm. Sometimes she needs to help him open his
prescription bottles, so he can take his medicine, a combination of levodopa and
carbidopa.What motor disease does John demonstrate? One of his signs is resting tremor.
What is the difference between a resting tremor and an intention tremor?What is the
advantage of combining levodopa with carbidopa? What is the benefit of anticholinergic
drugs in the management of Parkinson disease?Parkinson disease involves the destruction
of the substantia nigra and the nigrostriatal pathway. Where are these structures
anatomically?The patient with Parkinson disease typically presents with a masklike facial
expression. Why does he or she have a masklike facial expression? How are the eyes, mouth,
and laryngopharynx affected by this disease?Case Study 4Disorders of Brain
FunctionBonnie is a 70-year-old woman who lives alone. One evening, she felt light-headed
and dizzy. When her head began to ache, she decided to take an analgesic and go to bed
early. The following morning, upon awakening, she was unable to move the bed sheets with
her right arm. At this point she was experiencing tingling sensations in her limbs, and she
had difficulty keeping her balance. She dialed 911 for help, and by the time the ambulance
arrived, she was confused and unable to articulate her words although she knew what
information he was asking of her. In the hospital, she was examined and treated for
ischemic stroke.Stroke, or brain attack, involves brain tissue injury. Describe ischemic
penumbra and what factors contribute to the survival of the neurons involved. What
happens if the cells of the penumbra are unable to be preserved?Compare and contrast
hypoxia and ischemia. What condition is more dangerous to the brain? Explain your
answer.Knowing what you do about the effects of ischemia on the brain, why would
someone with ischemic stroke develop cerebral edema?What type of aphasia was Bonnie
exhibiting when talking to her caregivers? Explain your answer.Case Study 5Sleep and Sleep
DisordersJessica is six years old. Her parents recently saw her pediatrician because they
were concerned about the sleeping difficulties Jessica has been having. Often she would
scream out loud in her sleep. Her parents would rush to her room and find her sitting
upright in bed, panting heavily in a state of panic. Jessica would not respond to her parent’s
words of consolation, and the next morning she would have no memory of the incident at
all. Her parents were worried about the anxiety their daughter was experiencing and asked
the pediatrician what they could do about her nightmares. The pediatrician explained
Jessica was likely suffering from sleep terrors and carefully described what that
meant.What are the similarities and differences between nightmares and sleep
terrors?What are the characteristics of motor, sensory, and autonomic function during REM
sleep? What is thought to be the importance of this stage of sleep?Jessica’s pediatrician said
that the careful management of sleep hygiene may help to decrease the incidence of her

3. sleep terrors. What is included in an overview of the general features that demonstrate
good sleep hygiene? Pathophysiology Across The Lifespan Week 9 DiscussionCase Study
6Disorders of Thought, Emotion, and MemoryElla is 88 years old and was living at home
until very recently. Her children, who visited her regularly, noticed she was becoming more
forgetful. At first, she mislaid objects, and then she began to forget her doctor’s
appointments. With time, her personality changed and she became withdrawn. At home she
would forget to turn off the stove or leave the kettle on until it boiled dry. After seeking
advice from a gerontologist and social worker, Ella’s children placed her in a nursing home
with a unit equipped for patients with Alzheimer disease.What is dementia? Why is
Alzheimer disease based on a “diagnosis of exclusion”?What are the macroscopic and
microscopic features of the brain that are typical in Alzheimer disease?One of Ella’s children
brought her a new pair of slippers to wear in the nursing home. A minute after she received
them, Ella could not remember the exchange and asked what they were doing on her bed.
What part of the brain has largely been affected to produce this behavior, and what is the
pathophysiology involved?To view the Grading Rubric for this Assignment, please visit the
Grading Rubrics section of the Course Home.