The Case of the Newborn Nightmare

By Andrea C. Wade

Abstract

Three newborns left in the care of "Dr. Mark Maddison" have developed a mysterious rash. Under increasing pressure from hospital administrators and distressed parents, the doctor must diagnose and treat the infants. Students are given discrete pieces of information in this interrupted case study and asked to find additional information outside of class to solve the mystery. The case was developed for use in a clinically oriented microbiology course for nursing, allied health, and pre-medical students.

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Date Posted

10/10/2001

Overview

Objectives

Understand the step-wise approach to problem solving used in epidemiology.
Apply the concept of differential diagnosis to a simulated case.
Emphasize the role of contact in the spread of nosocomial infections and reinforce the value of handwashing in its prevention.
Learn and practice the following techniques: Gram stain, assessment of microscopic morphology, assessment of colonial morphology, catalase testing, and coagulase testing.

Keywords

Staphylococci; infection; infectious disease; bacteria; bacterial disease; differential diagnosis; hand-washing

Subject Headings

Epidemiology

Medicine (General)

Microbiology

Nursing

Public Health

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Interrupted

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

Teaching Notes

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Answer Key

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