Annas Death

Activity 6.1.2: How did she die?

Body Systems Key
Integumentary system
Skeletal
Muscular
Nervous
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
Lymphatic and immune system
Digestive
Urinary
Endocrine system
Anna: Age 14 months
Diagnosed with sickle cell anemia
Symptoms included:
High respiratory rate is elevated and shortness of breath
Pale skin, nails, and lips
Elevated heart rate
Splenic Sequestration
Pain from clotting RBC
Anna: Age 10
Treatment for Sickle Cell
Pain in chest-acute chest syndrome from clotting RBC
Hard to breathe
Pain in legs- clotting RBC
Anna: Age 14
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes
High glucose levels
Low insulin levels
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Fatigue

Anna: Age 17
Continued treatment with Sickle Cell

Pain crises
Acute chest syndrome
Bone problems in hip
Anna: Age 22
Continued treatment for sickle cell
Avascular necrosis in hip joint
Bone dying
Anna: Age 37
Diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia
Average resting heart rate very high
Tingling sensation- peripheral vascular disease
High cholesterol

Anna: Age 38
Admitted into Hospital and Diagnosed with a
UTI
Admitted for sickle cell crisis
Fatigue
Extreme pain in extremities
Developed a UTI while in hospital
Preventative Interventions
Long-term
Insulin injections
Test for ketones
Treat Urinary tract infection
Check glucose level
Short-term
Call for help
Insulin injections
Test for ketones
Replace fluids
Check glucose level
How did Anna die?
Anna died from Diabetic Ketoacidosis. In the hours/days before her death, she
had not been taking her insulin for her diabetes and her glucose level was very
high. Without the insulin, her body could not use the glucose to have energy. Fat
was broken down for energy but this creates acids called ketones that built up in
her blood and urine. In high levels of ketones, they can be poisonous.
Before Anna died, she had been trying to inject insulin into the muscle in her leg;
this created three small abrasions seen in the autopsy. The ketoacidosis
decreased alertness which made her eye-coordination worse so she could not
inject the insulin. Anna also had cerebral edema which made her dizzy; this
caused her to fall and made abrasions which can be seen in the autopsy. Anna
also vomited which was caused by the ketoacidosis.
Anna had also not been taking her ACE inhibitor medication for her high blood
pressure; her heart was working harder than it should have.
Question #2
The endocrine system and nervous system malfunctions both contributed to
Annas death. The pancreas is part of the endocrine system and Anna has type 1
diabetes, her pancreas does not produce insulin. Without insulin, Annas body
could not use the glucose to make energy. Her body broke down fat cells instead
for energy which produces ketones.
During the autopsy, cerebral edema was evident. This can cause fluid build up in
the brain which can decrease the functions in the brain; the brain is part of the
nervous system.
Question #3
Anna would be experiencing the symptoms of ketoacidosis such as
decreased alertness, deep, rapid breathing, frequent urination or thirst
that lasts for a day or more, headache, muscle stiffness or aches, nausea
and vomiting, and stomach pain

Question #4
Some interventions that might have saved Anna are a insulin pump and a
medical alert system.
Question #5
I would like to learn more about a Microbiologist and a clinical laboratory
technician. I would like to go into the science department and these two careers
sound appealing. They both involve work in a lab and the projected job growth
looks very good.