Hepatitis C and Major Treatment Strategies

Module 6 will include a review of structure and function of the digestive system. The major focus of this Module will be alterations in digestive function in the adult and child with an emphasis on common diseases of the GI tract in both the adult and child. The GI tract, also known as the alimentary canal, is continuous running tube from mouth to anus.
It is approximately 30 feet in length and consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The purpose of the digestive system is to: 1) change the food we eat into simpler substances in order for them to be absorbed into the blood and be carried to all cells of the body, and 2) eliminate waste products from the body. Except for swallowing and defecation, which are voluntary processes, the action of the GI tract is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system stimulates GI motility and secretions, and the sympathetic nervous system inhibits GI motility and secretion.
As with many systems of the body there are age-related changes that take place in the GI tract. Teeth deteriorate or may be lost, salivary secretions decrease; sense of smell decreases and eating becomes less pleasant. This can lead to reduced appetite with food being difficult to swallow. Many of the organs in the GI system decrease in size and atrophy. Secretions of the digestive enzymes decrease and the ability to detoxify drugs decreases. No change in the gallbladder and bile ducts occur, but there is an increase prevalence of gallstones and cholecystitis.
Objectives
Discuss the structure and function of the Digestive System.
Identify clinical manifestations of GI dysfunction.
Discuss pathophysiology of the common adult and childhood disorders of the digestive system.
Review current treatment options for various common adult and childhood disorders of the digestive system.
Module 6
Discussion 1
Mike is a 23-year-old white male admitted for severe depression. He has a history of bipolar disorder and is currently taking valproate (Depakote) 500 mg XR daily. His psychiatrist ordered LFT’s to follow the valproate therapy. LFT’s were abnormal: ALT 1178 u/L, AST 746 u/L. the patient was asymptomatic. He denies fever, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or jaundice. He denies using other medication or alcohol but admits using illicit IV drugs starting about 8 weeks ago and continuing to present. He never had a blood transfusion. Aside from Depakote he is presently taking clonazepam 1 mg prn and fluoxetine (Prozac) 40 mg qd. Other blood work: Direct bili 1 mg/dL, alk phos 188 u/L, anti-HCV negative on hospital day 1, positive on day 3. HCV-RNA PCR positive. Hep A, B, and D markers negative.
Patient diagnosis: Acute Hepatitis C.
1. List some clinical manifestations typically seen in Hepatitis C and major treatment strategies.
Module 6: Discussion
Post your initial response by Wednesday at midnight. Respond to one student by Sunday at midnight. Both responses must be a minimum of 150 words, scholarly written, APA formatted, and referenced. A minimum of 2 references are required (other than your text). Refer to grading rubric for online discussion.
Special Guidance on APA formatting in Discussion Posts
APA formatting is required in discussion posts with the following two exceptions (due to limitations with the text editor in LIVE): double line space and indent 1/2 inch from the left margin. Discussion posts will NOT be evaluated on those two formatting requirements. All other APA formatting guidelines should be followed. For example, in-text citations must be formatted with the appropriate information and in the correct sequence (Author, year), reference list entries must include all appropriate information following guidelines for capitalization, italics, and be in the correct sequence. Refer to the APA Publication Manual 7th ed. for each source type's specific requirements. Please let your instructor know if you have any questions.
Please note the pathophisiology text book is attached, please search for the readings per topic not as listed by my professor. Thx.