Scenario: Patient is a 45 year old male presenting with acute onset of pain that began in his legs and
has since spread to his lower back. The pain is rated 9/10 and described as deep,
throbbing, and constant. He has had several similar episodes in the past year, usually
following dehydration or infection. He denies trauma.
Lab Pt value Normal values
Hemaglobin 8.1 13.5-17.5
Hematocrit 24 38-50
RBC 2.9 4.7-6.1
WBC 13000 4000-11000
Reticulocyte count 8% 0.5-2.5%
Total bilirubin 3.5 0.2-1.2
LDH 520 140-280
Peripheral smear Presence of sickled cells,
target cells, Howell-Jolly
bodies
Questions –
• Which genetic mutations are commonly associated with the disease?
• Why is the patient presenting with the specific symptoms described?
• Discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease in detail.
• What do the blood test results tell us about the disease and disease progression?
Questions for response to other students –
Expand on one thing you learned from reading this post
Did you agree or disagree with the post
Scenario: Patient is a 45 year old male presenting with acute onset of pain that began in his legs and
has since spread to his lower back. The pain is rated 9/10 and described as deep,
throbbing, and constant. He has had several similar episodes in the past year, usually
following dehydration or infection. He denies trauma.
Lab Pt value Normal values
Hemaglobin 8.1 13.5-17.5
Hematocrit 24 38-50
RBC 2.9 4.7-6.1
WBC 13000 4000-11000
Reticulocyte count 8% 0.5-2.5%
Total bilirubin 3.5 0.2-1.2
LDH 520 140-280
Peripheral smear Presence of sickled cells,
target cells, Howell-Jolly
bodies
Questions –
• Which genetic mutations are commonly associated with the disease?
• Why is the patient presenting with the specific symptoms described?
• Discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease in detail.
• What do the blood test results tell us about the disease and disease progression?
Questions for response to other students –
Expand on one thing you learned from reading this post
Did you agree or disagree with the post
Scenario: Patient is a 45 year old male presenting with acute onset of pain that began in his legs and
has since spread to his lower back. The pain is rated 9/10 and described as deep,
throbbing, and constant. He has had several similar episodes in the past year, usually
following dehydration or infection. He denies trauma.
Lab Pt value Normal values
Hemaglobin 8.1 13.5-17.5
Hematocrit 24 38-50
RBC 2.9 4.7-6.1
WBC 13000 4000-11000
Reticulocyte count 8% 0.5-2.5%
Total bilirubin 3.5 0.2-1.2
LDH 520 140-280
Peripheral smear Presence of sickled cells,
target cells, Howell-Jolly
bodies
Questions –
• Which genetic mutations are commonly associated with the disease?
• Why is the patient presenting with the specific symptoms described?
• Discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease in detail.
• What do the blood test results tell us about the disease and disease progression?
Questions for response to other students –
Expand on one thing you learned from reading this post
Did you agree or disagree with the post