2.4.2 Case Study Weight: 40% Type of Collaboration: Individual

Submission: Refer to Section 2.5 of the LG – General Submission Requirements Format: Case Study Length: 1200 words Curriculum Mode: Word count/duration: There is a word limit of 1200 words.

Use your computer to total the number of words used in your assignment. However, do not include the questions on your template, and reference list at the end of your assignment, in the word count. In-text citations will be included in the additional 10% word count. If you exceed the word limit by more than 10% the marker will stop marking at 1200 words plus 10%.

Aim of assessment The aim of this assessment is to increase students’ understanding of how microorganisms can cause health breakdown and the role of relevant pharmacological interventions in the recovery process.

Students will explore various modes of transmission, relevant characteristics of pathogens, and the importance of breaking the chain of infection.

Assessment details: A minimum of five of the eight references listed as resources must be used and cited in this case study. No other resources may be cited. All work must be cited and referenced correctly. You must use the supplied template, which must be accessed from the Assessment 2 tab in the subject’s vUWS site, to answer the questions that follow the case study below.

Case Study:

John (88 years old) is a resident at a high-dependency aged care facility (nursing home). He has developed infectious conjunctivitis in his right eye. On examination, his eye was found to be red and swollen with a purulent and sticky discharge. His vision was unaffected; however, he did complain that his eye was painful. The doctor prescribed gentamicin eye drops which were to be administered to both eyes.

 Q1. Background of the case study (Total: 10 marks)

1.1 What is infectious conjunctivitis?

1.2 Of the four micro-organisms listed below, justify which one is more likely to be the cause of John’s eye infection. Indicate why the other micro-organisms from the list are less likely to cause the infection.

• Legionella pneumophila
• Plasmodium ovale
• Adenovirus
• Staphylococcus aureus

Q2. Mechanism of action and adverse reactions (Total: 15 marks)

2.1 Describe the mechanism of action of gentamicin

2.2 Name two possible adverse reactions to this drug

 Q3. Infection control issues (Total 15 marks)

3.1-3.2 Identify and discuss two infection control issues associated with high-dependency aged care facilities that can contribute to the spread of conjunctivitis.

 Q4. Transmission of infection (Total: 20 marks)

4.1 Mary who resides in the room next door was diagnosed with the same eye infection 4 days later. Describe how the organism could have been transmitted from John’s eye to Mary’s eye (describe the chain of infection that could have occurred from John’s eye to Mary’s eye).

 Q5. Breaking the chain of infection (Total: 20 marks)

5.1-5.2. Describe two procedures nurses will need to undertake to prevent the infection from John’s eye from being transmitted to another individual. Clearly explain how each procedure will effectively break the chain of infection.

Q6. Academic style and referencing (Total 20).

 Resources: Boland, M. (Director), Santall, J. (Presenter), & Video Education Australasia. (2011). Infection control in healthcare [Videorecording]. Bendigo, Australia: VEA. Boustcha, E., & Nicolle, L. E. (1995). Conjunctivitis in a long-term care facility. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 16(4), 210-216. Available online Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2017). Fundamentals of pharmacology (8th ed.). Pearson Australia. Burchum, J. R., Rosenthal, L., & Lehne, R. A. (2022). Lehne’s pharmacology for nursing care (11th ed.). Elsevier OR: Burchum, J. R., Rosenthal, L. (2019). Lehne’s pharmacology for nursing care (10th ed.). Elsevier Craft, J., & Gordon, C. (Eds.). (2019). Understanding pathophysiology (3rd, Australian and New Zealand ed.). Elsevier. (Available Online) Lee, G., & Bishop, P. (Eds.). (2016). Microbiology and infection control for health professionals (6th ed.). Pearson Australia. Marieb, E.N., & Hoehn, K. (2019). Human anatomy & physiology. Global edition. (11th ed.). Pearson Education Limited. Norris, T. L., (2019). Porth’s pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.

Format All assignments are to be typed. 12 Typing must be according to the following format: 3 cm left and right margins, lines double spaced. Font: Arial or Times New Roman Font size: 12pt