1. A critically ill patient enters your emergency room, exhibiting signs and symptoms of severe septic shock. In this case, should you immediately begin treatment with a broad-spectrum drug or a narrow-spectrum drug? Explain your answer and discuss any possible consequences of using either drug in the patient.
2. Construct a paragraph describing the interrelationship among the microbial pathogen, the affected host, and potential antimicrobial drugs in the development of an appropriate chemotherapeutic treatment. Is it more beneficial for a drug to be microbistatic or microbicidal? Defend your answer.
3. Antibiotic-resistance genes, as well as other virulence factor genes, are easily passed between bacterial cells through horizontal gene transfer. Conduct additional research on New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase 1 strains of bacteria, and explain why medical tourism poses a serious threat to the spread of this organism. Provide evidence to support your explanation.
4. Amphotericin B is often referred to as "Amphi-Terrible" in medical settings due to its effects in treated patients. Describe when this drug should be prescribed, and provide a biological reason for its damaging activity on host cells.
HAART, or highly active antiretroviral therapy, is currently recommended for the treatment of HIV and involves the administration of three or more medicines at one time. Explain why this combined therapy approach is more effective than single drug treatment in the management of HIV infection, providing current evidence to support your answer.
5. Science continuously moves forward and uncovers more and more about the human body. We have made monumental strides in human genetics and this has led to recent discussions about patenting genes. This sits in front of the Supreme Court and could have a major impact based upon the decision. Research the pros and cons of this issue and share with the class.
6. Orthopedic injuries are some of the most common complaints for which people seek medical advice. Specifically, ankle injuries are extremely common. What is the difference between a sprain and a strain? Describe the RICE protocol and whether it is effective in the treatment of ankle injuries. How can you make an argument for using heat instead?
7. Everyone has experienced musculoskeletal pain at some point in their life - some more than others. Many times, the same problems tend to come back over and over unless further care can be sought. Describe a musculoskeletal injury or problem that you had or have that made you seek care. (If you have never had any sorts of injuries describe one that occurred to someone close to you.) If this is a condition you had treated, what made the biggest difference in your improvement?