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8.7 Case Study

Ken, a paramedic, responds to an automobile accident involving Chase. Chase has multiple lacerations, including a severe one on his right arm. Ken provides first aid and transports Chase to the hospital. At the hospital, the ER physician examines Chase and notes contusions near his liver. Due to potential blood loss from his injuries, the physician orders blood tests and a type and crossmatch to prepare for a possible blood transfusion.

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325 views

8.7 Case Study

Ken, a paramedic, responds to an automobile accident involving Chase. Chase has multiple lacerations, including a severe one on his right arm. Ken provides first aid and transports Chase to the hospital. At the hospital, the ER physician examines Chase and notes contusions near his liver. Due to potential blood loss from his injuries, the physician orders blood tests and a type and crossmatch to prepare for a possible blood transfusion.

Uploaded by

maddison
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chase, age 24, is involved in an automobile accident.

Ken, a paramedic, arrives on the scene 


and does emergency first aid. Chase has multiple lacerations on his hand and arms; the 
laceration on his right arm is bleeding profusely. Ken applies a pressure bandage and notes 
that John’s blood pressure is 90/60. Ken starts an intravenous line and transports Chase to 
the hospital. The ER physician examines Chase and notes he also has contusions near his 
liver. The physician has the medical technologist draw blood for a CBC (complete blood 
count) and to Type and Crossmatch for two units of blood.  

1. A severe loss of blood may lead to what condition? 


- A severe loss of blood may lead to a condition called hypovolemic shock. 
2. Name the blood components (plasma and formed elements) and their function. 
- The components that make up the blood are red blood cells (RBCs), white blood 
cells (WBCs), platelets, and plasma. RBCs carry oxygen to and from the heart and 
throughout the body to different organs. WBCs are vital to immune function in 
protecting the body against viral and bacterial infection. Platelets prevent excess 
bleeding by forming platelet clots or scabs, and dissolve them when no longer 
necessary. Plasma is what maintains the liquid consistency of blood and aids in 
waste excretion at a cellular level as well as throughout the entire circulatory system. 
3. What is a normal blood count for John? 
- For an adult man such as John, a normal blood count would be as follows: 

RBC: ​4.35-5.65 trillion cells/L

WBC: ​3.4-9.6 billion cells/L

Hemoglobin: ​132-166 grams/L

Hematocrit: ​38.3-48.6 percent

Platelets: ​135-317 billion/L

4. Why is the ER physician concerned about possible liver damage? 


- The liver is the organ responsible for removing toxins from the blood, so if the liver 
was damaged and ruptured the toxins would then be released back into the blood 
which would quickly cause sepsis. This could potentially be fatal. 
5. How does liver damage relate to the blood? 
- Damage to the liver can cause a multitude of complications depending on the degree 
of the damage to the liver, these complications can range from jaundice to sepsis. 
6. Describe the role of a medical laboratory technologist. 
- Medical lab technicians use lab equipment to test and observe microorganisms, 
prepare samples for analysis, monitor different procedures and tests, match blood 
for blood transfusions, as well as test for levels of different drug levels in the blood. 
7. Why would the ER physician order a CBC and Type and Crossmatch? 
- The ER physician may have ordered a CBC and Type and Crossmatch for the 
purposes of a blood transfusion, since John was in an accident that could have 
resulted in a heavy loss of blood, 
8. Later on it is revealed that Chase is a famous reality tv star. The ER physician notices 
that the paramedic, triage nurse, and medical technologist are looking at the 
patient’s medical record and discussing private information with other hospital 
employees not directly involved in the patient’s care. What legal responsibilities and 
ethical behaviors have been violated? 
- The medical faculty members that were discussing the information found in his 
medical record and private information violated John’s privacy by doing so. The fact 
that this information was discussed between medical faculty members that were not 
involved with John’s treatment adds to the legal and ethical issues. This was a direct 
violation of HIPAA. 

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