Assignment #1 1.

A 21 year-old college student notices that she frequently develops cold sores during stressful final exam week. 1. What is the association between stress and the immune system? The human body has a built in stress response system that usually self regulates. When a threat is perceived the body deploys white blood cells to the area of the body that is under attack (Segerstrom & Miller, 2006). Because of this, less important cellular activities are reduced and the immune system is left vulnerable. When the body perceives a threat there are three phases it goes through. (Story, 2012). The first is the alarm stage, in which the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated and in response deploys the release of catecholamines and cortisol. This stage is known as the fight or flight response (Story, 2012). The body then enters the resistance phase and either adapts or alters activity to become desensitized to the stressor (Story, 2012). If the stressor overwhelms the body it becomes exhausted, which is the last phase. The immune system is suppressed more in times of greater stress (Segerstrom & Miller, 2006). A persons effort to manage stress, such as smoking and drug use can also suppress the immune system. (Story, 2012).

References: Story, Lachel. (2012). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC.

Segerstrom, Suzanne C. & Miller, Gregory E. (2006). Psychological Stress and the Human Immune System: A Meta-Analytic Study of 30 Years of Inquiry. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go

2. A nursing student is working in a community clinic as a volunteer. Each time he enters the clinic she suffers bouts of sneezing and runny nose. He has a history of allergies to mold and cats. His sister has asthma. Analysis at the allergy clinic indicates he is allergic to latex. The student is advised to avoid all forms of latex. 1. What type of T-helper cells and cytokines direct the expression of this humoral immune response? The student has a Type I (IgE mediated) hypersensitivty reaction to latex. This response is caused by repeated exposure to the allergen (Story, 2012).With repeated exposure, the antigen binds with the surface IgE and mediators are released (Story, 2012). TH2 cells are involved with hypersensitivity reactions (Anand, 2012).

References: Anand, Miriam K. (2012). Immediate Hypersensitivity http://emedicine.medscape.com/article Reactions. Retrieved from

Story, Lachel. (2012). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC.

3. A 36 year-old man presents with fever, night sweats, weight loss, and a feeling of fullness in his abdomen. Subsequent lymph node biopsy reveals a diagnosis of non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL). 1. Although lymphomas can originate in any of the lymphoid tissues of the body, most originate in the lymph nodes, and most (80% to 85%) are of B-Cell origin. Hypothesize as to why B-cells are more commonly affected than T-cells. Although research opinions vary on the cause of lymphomas, it is known that T-cell lymphomas are very rare. Lymphomas are thought to be caused by the damaged genes that control the development of the bodys blood cells ( B and T Cell Lymphomas, n.d.) The B- cells and T-cells play different roles in the body. T-cells can be helper cells, suppressor cells or killer cells (Story, 2012). It is the T-cells that call on the B-cells to produce antibodies. B-cells attack bacteria and neutralize toxins. They can be either anti-body-producing cells or memory cells (Story, 2012). When the body is under attack, the B-cells can produce millions of antibody molecules during a 24 hour period (Story, 2012). The more aggressive the antigen, the more work the B-cells have to accomplish. Due to the body producing more B-cells, the increased chance that a damaged cell is produced. Since there are more B-cells in the system could be the reason that B-cell lymphomas are more commonly seen.

References:
B and T Cell Lymphomas (n.d.). In Leukemia Foundation. Retrieved August 31, 2012, from http://www.leukaemia.org.au/web/aboutdiseases/lymphomas.

Story, Lachel. (2012). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC.

4. A 29 year-old woman complains of generalized fatigue. Her physical exam reveals a heart rate of 115 beats/minute, respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 115/74. Her skin and nail beds are pale and her lab results show a low red blood cell (RBC) count. hematocrit 30%, hemoglobin 9 g/dL, and a decrease in serum ferritin levels. 1. What disorder do you think this woman has? 2. What clinical manifestations indicate her body is trying to compensate for the disorder? Based on the patients signs, symptoms and labwork, I believe she has iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the red blood count is below normal levels (Nabili, 2012), Presenting symptoms can be weakness, fatigue, pallor, syncope, dyspnea, and tacycardia (Story, 2012). Because of the decreased iron levels, I believe it is an iron deficiency. The patients clinical manifestations include tachycardia, increased respirations, low blood pressure, and pale skin and nail beds. Anemia affects the capacity of oxygen that is carried to the blood. The patient pallor and low blood pressure tells us that there is not enough oxygen in the bloodstream. Her heart is beating faster because it is working harder to pump out the blood and her increased respirations show she is breathing faster because her heart is working harder.

References: Nabili, Siamak T. (2012). Anemia. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/anemia Story, Lachel. (2012). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Learning, LLC.