CHEM 1701 – Assignment 1

Chemistry I for Pre-Health Sciences, Durham College

____ /43 marks (5% of final grade)

Assignment is due on: ____________________________________

Background and Content:

The purpose of this assignment is for you to explore connections between your classroom learning and
healthcare. This case study contains applied questions that tie your course learning to healthcare.

You will develop your problem-solving and critical thinking skills by applying your knowledge of basic concepts
to a case study. This is an important skill to develop as it allows you to relate what you are learning to the
everyday world and helps prepare you for future programs and careers in the health care field. As you proceed
through this case study, think about how these questions connect to your other courses and to your future
goals.

Learning Outcomes:
The following course learning outcomes (CLO) and essential employability skills (EES) are addressed
throughout this assignment. The CLO’s and EES can be found in the course outline.
 CLO 1, 2, 3, 9
 EES 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11

Grading:
 This assignment is worth 5% of your final grade.
 Points have been attributed to each question.
 While you may work in pairs or small groups to complete the assignment, each student must submit
their own original work.
 Assignments may be checked for authenticity using TurnItIn software.

Handing in your work:

 Submit your completed work to the appropriate Assignment folder in DC Connect.
 File submissions must be PC compatible in Word or PDF format.
 You may type your answers directly in this document OR print this document, write your answers in and
photograph the pages. Photos must be compiled into 1 document for submission.

Other things to note:

 Show all work for full marks.
 Answer in full sentences and apply proper spelling, grammar and mechanics.
 Where required, apply significant digit rules and round final answers appropriately.

CHEM 1701 – Assignment 1 Page 1 of 2

Case Study – Knee Replacement Surgery
Instructions:
 Read the case study below
 Answer the questions in full sentences using your own words
 Make sure to read the question carefully and thoroughly when structuring your answer

Case Study: It was a sunny day in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Leonce was preparing to make his way the hospital
for a double knee replacement that afternoon. He has been an avid runner his whole life and has been unable
to run for years due to the degeneration of his knee caused by osteoarthritis. If the knee replacement works as
it should, Leonce can be running in the near future again. His running coach is starting to prepare some low-
key exercises with a physiotherapist to help him work towards running again. The coach, his doctor and his
physiotherapist came up with a list of supplements Leonce can take prior to and after his surgery to help the
preparing and healing process. Leonce’s doctor advised that he must stop taking the supplements a week
before the surgery as some can affect coagulation of blood and the use of anesthesia. He has been advised to
take vitamin C, vitamin A, iron phosphate, Omega 3 fatty acids, and bromelain for 1 year prior to the surgery.
After the surgery, Leonce will be taking medication to help with pain. Leonce will also be taking the following
supplements:

 a multivitamin  vitamin D  L-glutamine  CoQ10

 magnesium  zinc  L-arginine
 vitamin C  selenium  Bromelain

Leonce knows what to expect during today’s surgery as he has been doing his research and also meeting with
the doctor as often as possible to discuss what will take place. The knee replacement that the doctor will be
using is called a titanium alloy because it contains titanium, aluminum and vanadium. The chemical formula for
the titanium alloy is Ti6Al4V. The knee replacement also includes plastic parts made of an ultrahigh-molecular
weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Once at the hospital, Leonce makes his way to the surgery floor to sign in and be assigned a room. He also
needs to be hooked up to an IV prior to his surgery. He gets signed in, is shown his room, changes into a
horribly fitting hospital gown, and meets his nurse. Nurse Ellie gets him comfortable in his room and gives him
his IV. He now has to wait until the nurse returns with the doctor to go over the surgery plan and take him into
the operating room. Doctor Aaron and Nurse Ellie return thirty minutes later to get Leonce and roll him into the
operating room. On their way down the corridor, Doctor Aaron describes the surgery process once again to
Leonce and makes sure he is comfortable. As the surgery begins, the doctor prepares the joint surfaces then
attaches the pieces of the artificial joint. Before closing the incision, he bends and rotates the knee, testing it to
ensure proper function. The surgery lasts about two hours. Leonce’s surgery is a success and now he must
rest in the hospital. The doctor checks on him and so does Nurse Ellie. Once Leonce is released from the
hospital, his recovery journey has just begun. He will be taking pain medication and supplements. He is
prescribed minimal exercise and plenty of rest for the first few weeks. When the doctor decides he is ready to
start his physiotherapy, he will start his path to recovery, working towards running again in the near future.

Checking in with Leonce a year after his surgery, we catch up with him while out walking with his dog. His new
knees have been a true gift to improving his life. He sits on a bench drinking a Gatorade and remembers the
year of healing he has done. His coach and physiotherapist have created a walking/running schedule for him
that he is enjoying. He is well on his way to running like he used to and he could not be happier!

The questions below relate to the case study above.

CHEM 1701 – Assignment 1 Page 2 of 2