CaseStudy1
Angela Idowu
4/29/2015
BIOL242
4 pages
Pg.1
Case Study #1
The Hot Tub Mystery
Part 1.
1. What Observations did the Paramedics make? The paramedics noticed the empty wine bottles outside of the hot tub as well as the temperature of the water was hotter than they thought it should be. 2. List the questions raised about this situation or that you think that the investigators should ask of the maid. Questions for maid: “were you here last night?” “There were empty wine bottles found around the tub, that you know of, did Mr. and Mrs. Underhill have a history of drinking and using the hot tub simultaneously?” “Have either of them been acting strange or have had any abnormal behavior?” Are you aware of any health issues or medications that they take on a regular basis?”
3. List any physiological effects that you think would be associated with this situation. With initial observation on can hypothesize that alcohol was consumed if empty bottles were found near the scene, if that is the case, the alcohol would definitely have a physiological effect on the brain as well as the body. Also, since the water temperature is thought to be warmer than normal, this could exacerbate the effects of the alcohol, by warming the core temperature of the body physically and changing the body’s normal blood pressure.
4. How might these physiological effects have contributed to the Underhill’s death? Well if the
Underhill’s had only one glass of wine, the effect would actually lower the blood pressure, if they had consumed a more moderate amount of alcohol their blood pressure would actually increase. Being in the hot tub alone can raise the heart rate and increase blood flow by warming the blood and decreasing the viscosity, therefore having an additional effect on lowering the blood pressure if alcohol was consumed. 5. Make an Initial speculation about the cause of the Underhills’ death. My initial speculation is that the
Underhill’s drowned after losing consciousness from a rapid drop
4/29/2015
BIOL242
4 pages
Pg.1
Case Study #1
The Hot Tub Mystery
Part 1.
1. What Observations did the Paramedics make? The paramedics noticed the empty wine bottles outside of the hot tub as well as the temperature of the water was hotter than they thought it should be. 2. List the questions raised about this situation or that you think that the investigators should ask of the maid. Questions for maid: “were you here last night?” “There were empty wine bottles found around the tub, that you know of, did Mr. and Mrs. Underhill have a history of drinking and using the hot tub simultaneously?” “Have either of them been acting strange or have had any abnormal behavior?” Are you aware of any health issues or medications that they take on a regular basis?”
3. List any physiological effects that you think would be associated with this situation. With initial observation on can hypothesize that alcohol was consumed if empty bottles were found near the scene, if that is the case, the alcohol would definitely have a physiological effect on the brain as well as the body. Also, since the water temperature is thought to be warmer than normal, this could exacerbate the effects of the alcohol, by warming the core temperature of the body physically and changing the body’s normal blood pressure.
4. How might these physiological effects have contributed to the Underhill’s death? Well if the
Underhill’s had only one glass of wine, the effect would actually lower the blood pressure, if they had consumed a more moderate amount of alcohol their blood pressure would actually increase. Being in the hot tub alone can raise the heart rate and increase blood flow by warming the blood and decreasing the viscosity, therefore having an additional effect on lowering the blood pressure if alcohol was consumed. 5. Make an Initial speculation about the cause of the Underhills’ death. My initial speculation is that the
Underhill’s drowned after losing consciousness from a rapid drop