Hunter Bowen
ID#:50241787

Clinical Practicum 3: Microbiology

Case Study Number 1:

1. What is the common term for “decubitis ulcer”? * Bedsores or pressure ulcers 2. What does the term “tachycardia” mean? * Abnormally fast resting heart beat, usually at least a 100 beats per minute 3. What does “hypokalemia” mean? * A condition of below normal levels of potassium in serum levels 4. What is the significance of the fact the larger decubitis on the left hip is necrotic and exuding pus? * Necrotic tissue is the ideal place for bacterial growth, which can greatly compromise the healing process for that wound. * Surgical excision of black necrotic tissue may be necessary to reduce infection and smell. Pain in a deep pressure sore is unusual and suggests pus under a necrotic slough, which can be painlessly excised without local anesthetic to release the pus. * Pus contains that person’s dead or dying white blood cells, and the fact that they there are in such abundance leads one to believe that they are indeed fighting an infection. 5. Does the fact numerous pus cells seen on the Gram stain support your conclusion? * Yes, there are many white blood cells (pus cells) to help fight of that person’s infection. 6. What type of white blood cells are “pus cells” usually, especially considering the fact that bacterium were also seen? * Pus is mostly made up of neutrophils 7. What microscopic morphtype on the Gram stain is consistent with a finding of Enterococcus faecalis on the culture results of the left hip decubitis? * The typical microscopic morphology of Enteroccoccus species is that of gram-positive cocci in chains that resemble streptococci. * Enterococcus species grow .5-1 mm gray white colonies, and may be alpha hemolytic or non-hemolytic, rarely are they