iHuman Case Study - Cardiovascular and

Hematologic Disorders in Children

iHuman Case Study: Mia Zavarro V4

1. How would you evaluate and manage a pediatric patient who has a

painful swelling of the hands and feet, fatigue, or fussiness? Which

diagnostic studies would you recommend for this patient and why?

Painful swelling of the feet and hand, fussiness and fatigue could suggest the diagnosis

of several pediatric diseases. When a pediatric patient is reported to present with the

above symptoms, it is very important for the healthcare provider to first differentiate

between the general and specific symptoms. Fussiness and fatigue are classified as

general symptoms since they are common in several conditions. On the other hand,

painful swelling of the feet and hands are specific symptoms, which must be prioritized

in the diagnosis of the case provided. Several research findings suggest that pediatric

patients experiencing painful and tender joints might be as a result of medical

conditions such as trauma, hemoglobinopathies, Henoch-Schoenlein purpura, Lyme

disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and tumors infection. Consequently,

asymmetrical painful swelling may indicate a sickle cell crisis (Chakravorty, &

Williams, 2015). Additionally, swelling of the joints might be as a result of joint

effusion, a sprain, synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis or torn meniscus.