Case Study 1: Tommy’s Problem

This assignment provides you with the opportunity to synthesize and apply the concepts learned in Module 3 to analyze a real-world case. The case study includes a real-life, scenario-based application that requires you to analyze, make a judgement, and suggest possible solutions.

To complete the assignment, you are required to carefully review the provided scenario, identify and analyze the possible issues or problems, and then answer all the analysis questions (3–5 sentences for each question) using the course readings (textbook chapters and learning units) and additional resources that you find on the Internet. The additional resources must come from reliable, credible sources, such as:

Mayo Clinic (Links to an external site.)
WebMD (Links to an external site.)
Cleveland Clinic (Links to an external site.)
CDC (Links to an external site.)
Your answers must include citations for all resources that you use. APA format is not required.

Case Scenario
Tommy is a 12-year-old boy who, along with a group of friends, was exploring an old house that was being demolished in their neighborhood to make way for new development. While playing in the building, Tommy stepped on an old board that had a nail protruding from it. The nail went through the bottom of his shoe and into his foot. His friends helped him to pull the nail out of his foot.

That night when Tommy got home, he did not mention anything about the accident to his parents because he did not want to get into any trouble. His parents had told him to stay away from the area where the accident happened, and he successfully hid his discomfort from them.

The next morning, the area on Tommy’s foot where the nail had punctured it was very painful, and the wound was deep red and swollen. Pus was oozing from the puncture, he was running a fever, and small red streaks appeared around his foot. Tommy could not hide his situation any longer and decided to ask his parents for help, though he did consider hiding his pain and swollen foot.

Questions:
1. What can Tommy’s symptoms tell you about what is happening to him? Explain your answer.
2. What kind of complications could Tommy experience if he leaves the foot untreated?
3. What is Tommy’s body doing in reaction to his punctured foot?
4. How would you recommend treating Tommy’s foot?

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