Unit Five Workbook Assignment

Chapter 9: Diseases and Conditions of the Respiratory System

Assignment: For each scenario that follows, explain how and why you would
schedule an appointment or suggest a referral based on the patient’s reported
symptoms. Be sure to first review the “Guidelines for Patient-Screening
Exercises” found on page iii in the Introduction section of your Workbook.

1. A male patient calls in reporting he is experiencing a headache over

both eyes, especially on waking up in the morning. He also says there
is pain and tenderness above the eyes, which occurs when bending
over. Additionally, he reports a thick, greenish yellow drainage and
has a slight temperature. How do you handle this phone call?

After listening to the patient telling what kinds of symptoms he was having, I made
him an appointment for that afternoon. The symptoms he cited made me suspected
sinusitis and that needs medical attention as quick as possible. According to
webmd; when sinusitis go untreated he could experience undo pain and discomfort.
There are cases although rare untreated sinusitis can lead to meningitis, brain
abscess, and infection in the bone

2. A female patient calls in saying she is experiencing hoarseness,

difficulty talking, a slight fever, and a sore throat. How do you
respond to this call?

From the symptoms described it is suspect that she has a cold(or upper
respiratory infection) it is office policy to give an appointment within
24 hours to prevent further complications.
 3. A wife phones the office stating her husband is experiencing a severe
nosebleed. The nose has been bleeding for about 20 minutes and they
cannot get it to stop. How do you handle this phone call?

4. A male patient calls in saying he is coughing and spitting up blood.

How do you respond to this call?

5. A female patient calls in and advises that she is experiencing a deep,

persistent, productive cough. She has thick, yellow-to-gray sputum.
Additionally, she reports shortness of breath, wheezing, a slightly
elevated temperature, and pain in the upper chest, which is aggravated
by the cough. How do you respond to this call?

WebMD, overview /sinusitis

www.webmd.com