Hepatitis C Case Studies

In the scenario, the patient comes in complaining of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient has a history of drug abuse and possible Hepatitis C. The patient takes three medications at home on a daily basis. A physical exam and lab work would be needed to fully diagnose the patient. A history of drug abuse and possible Hepatitis C can be harmful to the body in various ways. For the scenario, HL is going to be 60 years old and live in a nursing home. Based on the scenario, I would diagnose the patient with acute gastroenteritis.
Pathophysiology of Acute Gastroenteritis Acute gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines (Healthline, 2012). Etiologies of gastroenteritis include bacteria,
HL takes a 100 mcg/day of synthroid, which is used to treat hypothyroidism (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur & Reinhold, 2017). Drug use can cause hypothyroidism (Gozashti, Mohammadzadeh, Divsalar, & Shookoohi, 2014). Heroin usage can cause changes in thyroid binding protein and serum levels of total t3, T3RU and free T4 (Gozashti, Mohammadzadeh, Divsalar, & Shookoohi, 2014). Per Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur & Reinhold (2017), the maintenance dose for synthroid is 75 – 100 mcg/d. The serum TSH level must be drawn and monitored to adjust the dose accordingly (Acangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, is used for hypertension (Acangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). HL takes 30 mg/day. Illicit drug use can be correlated directly with cardiovascular disease. Heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines can rise the blood pressure by affecting the central nervous system (American Heart Association, 2017). The patient takes 10 mg/day for an unclear reason. Prednisone is corticosteroid, that prevents inflammation but can also cause immune suppression (Drugs.com, 2017a). If not being used for a specific reason, the medication should be tapered (Drugs.com, 2017a). Acute gastroenteritis can be caused in a nursing home (Medscape, 2014). An immunocompromised patient would have a hard time staving off any infection with the use of