Running head: CASE STUDY 1

Case Study

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation
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Case Study

Peripheral Vascular Disease

1. What was the cause of this patient's pain and cramping?

Pain and cramping in the calves in peripheral vascular disease (PAD) patients, called

intermittent claudication, results from a lack of oxygen in the working muscle. The pain

dissipates when one rests (Firnhaber & Powell, 2019).

2. Why was there decreased hair on the patient's right leg?

PAD leads to compromised arterial circulations in the lower extremities. The reduced supply

and flow of blood cause the hair follicles to be weak and die (Firnhaber & Powell, 2019). Thus,

the hair loss in the patient’s leg.

3. What would be the strategic physical assessments after surgery to determine the adequacy

of the patient's circulation?

Firnhaber and Powell (2019) suggest that post-surgery, pulses below the surgical site should be

performed frequently to observe blood flow to the leg. Also, color, movement, temperature, and

sensations of pain should be monitored.

4. What would be the treatment of intermittent Claudication for non-occlusion?

Firnhaber and Powell (2019) advocate for the cessation of smoking in patients with intermittent

claudication. Also, exercise and medication are effective non-invasive means of treating
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intermittent claudication. Surgery is the last resort treatment if the non-invasive methods do not

work.

Lyme Disease

1. What is the cardinal sign of Lyme disease?

Chaaya, Jaller-Char and Ali (2016) observed that Lyme disease is mainly characterized by a

skin rash, called erythema migrans, which is generally painless

2. At what stages of Lyme disease are the IgG and IgM antibodies elevated?

Lyme disease diagnosis relies on the detection of IgG and IgM antibodies. IgM antibodies are

elevated at the early stages as they respond faster to the infection. IgG antibodies appear four to

six weeks after the infection (Chaaya et al., 2016).

3. Why was the ESR elevated?

Although ESR test in patients with symptoms of Lyme disease is unnecessary, an elevated ESR

points to a co-infection of Babesia or Ehrlichia (Chaaya et al., 2016).

4. What is the Therapeutic goal for Lyme Disease and what is the recommended treatment.

According to Chaaya et al. (2016), the main goal is treating the disease in the earliest stages to

avoid any complications. Treatment involves antibiotics as soon as a diagnosis is made. Early

treatment stops the disease’s evolution and relieves its symptoms.

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References

Chaaya, G., Jaller-Char, J. J., & Ali, S. K. (2016). Beyond the bull's eye: Recognizing Lyme

disease. Journal of Family Practice, 65(6), 373-379.

Firnhaber, J. M., & Powell, C. S. (2019). Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease:

Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician, 99(6), 362-369.