JoinAll Case Studies
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Suggested Keywords, to help with your search (besides selecting subjects): clicker cases, directed cases, interrupted cases, discussion cases, intimate debate cases. As a reminder, all cases may be adjusted to meet the needs of your student level. See our case use guidelines.
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By Julia G. Primak, Amber B. Obbink, Makenzie V. White, Carina Bovi, Lacy M. Cleveland
In this case study, a collegiate lacrosse athlete, “Noah,” develops unusual fatigue, muscle pain, edema, and dark-colored urine. Concerned, the athletic trainer conducts a urinalysis, which suggests impaired kidney function, and Noah is diagnosed...
By Nalini V. Broadbelt, Janvi Patel, Alexys Fonseca, Laura Pickell
This interrupted case study is designed to help students understand the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system. It follows the case of a toddler who swallows magnetic marbles that become lodged in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Students exp...
Navigating the Complexity of the Endocrine System
By Beverly Araujo, Rachel Densmore, Annalise Speer, Lindsey Duff, Lacy M. Cleveland
In this interrupted case study, students learn about “Eva,” a twenty-eight-year-old experiencing an array of endocrine-related issues and misdiagnoses. The case provides students with the opportunity to review the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and ...
Sex, Contraception, and High School
By Breanna N. Harris, Jaida Krisha Morah, Angela Aolani Nunez Miranda, Xena Gabrielle Aguilar, Jaden Kyree Hendrix, Wendy Saltzman
This directed case study follows a high school senior, “Becky,” who plans on having sexual intercourse, but has only received abstinence-only education. She reaches out to a sexually active friend, but she is unable to answer Becky’s questions....
By Zeyuan Li, Bianca Montibeler May Freitas, Nalini V. Broadbelt
This case study is designed to help students learn about the anatomy and physiology of the eye and its relationship to the visual cortex. The case tells the story of a 70-year-old female diagnosed with optic neuritis. As students work their way throu...
By Milan Halliburton, Megan Jacobs-Strugala, Kirsten Vander Schaaf, Lacy M. Cleveland
In this case study, the story unfolds in a courtroom where a family is seeking justice for their son who died from carbon monoxide poisoning. The family’s conversation and the lawyer’s questioning of the medical examiner demonstrate the role of h...
By Elyse Paulson, Jessica DeCuyper, Heidi L. Pecoraro, Danielle L.J. Condry
This case study introduces students to a real-world scenario involving the investigation of the sudden death of puppies at an animal shelter. It focuses on diagnostic procedures, including autopsy, histology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testi...
By Sheri L. Boyce
Six-month-old "Henry" is suffering from increasing gastrointestinal bleeding. Students first explore the effect of the bleeding on common blood tests such as hematocrit and hemoglobin and explain their relationship to anemia and erythropoiesis. Stude...
By Ann T. Massey
When a teenager is brought to the emergency department because he is acting strangely, the on-duty physician quickly determines that he has been unintentionally intoxicated with an anticholinergic compound found in Jimson weed (Datura stramonium), a ...
No Alcohol or Caffeine, Please!
By Rema G. Suniga
This comprehensive case study explores gastroesophageal reflux disease-like symptoms and upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding to show how dysfunction of GI physiology is linked with multiple organ systems resulting in symptoms and signs presented by ...
Communication Gone Wrong in the Gut
By Isis D. Rivera-Walsh, Sheri L. Boyce
This case study tells the story of “Skylar” and her mom “Angie” who suffers from persistent diarrhea. What begins as a seemingly acute case turns chronic after a few weeks and Angie is eventually diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis. Skylar has...
By Kristie L. Reilly, Carisa Davis, Estella Blankson, Christina Pepe
This case study explores the etiological mystery of the English sweating sickness (ESS) that threatened Europeans during the years 1485-1551 before abruptly vanishing. Numerous pathogens have been proposed to explain ESS, but none are completely sati...
By Lacy M. Cleveland, Christine L. Savage, Elizabeth M. Kashmitter
In this directed case study, students follow a discussion between “Jerry,” a diabetic and former smoker struggling with gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD), and his primary care physician. Jerry’s diagnosis provides an opportunity for studen...
By Jenna Ridlen, Sharifah Albraiki , Sarah Ellis, Jocelyn A. Moore, Anusree Mukherjee
This interrupted case study follows first-time mother “Nia” as she initiates breastfeeding. Nia develops hyperlactation, breast tenderness, and fever. Her OB/Gyn diagnoses mastitis, and Nia starts antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. During follo...
By Hollie L. Leavitt
This directed case study allows students to review components of the immune and cardiovascular systems while learning the pathophysiology of immediate hypersensitivities. It tells the story of “Amoria,” a two-year-old with food allergies who is a...
By Marian Leal
This case study is based on the true story of “John,” a nonverbal, autistic young man who develops severe maladaptive behaviors, the cause of which ultimately seems to point to the function of his anterior pituitary gland. Students read John’s ...
The Anti-Cancer Fight with the Wellness Menu
By Michelle Sue, Kenneth W. Yip
This directed case study engages students in an accessible discussion of cancer pathogenesis, prevention, and risk factors. Students are introduced to “William,” a middle-aged man worried about his cancer risk. William seeks out his family physic...
Diabetic Ketoacidosis Upon Diagnosis
By Ali Chaari, Aisha Kafoud
This directed case study is designed to help students integrate biochemical and physiological concepts with clinical aspects of disease. The case tells the story of a little girl who experiences diabetic ketoacidosis and is diagnosed with type 1 diab...
By Sheri L. Boyce
This case study on hyperthyroidism tells the story of “Mae,” a mother with undiagnosed Graves’ disease. When Mae gives birth to a son weighing less than 4 pounds with tachycardia, the infant is immediately taken to the NICU. Students are progre...
Does Jazmyne Need a New Chair?
By Melissa S. Kosinski-Collins , Ariana L. Hinckley-Boltax
This directed case study follows the story of the diagnosis and treatment of “Jazmyne,” an elderly feline patient with hyperthyroidism. The case asks students to practice the skills of observation and inference while making a diagnosis based on J...
By Hollie L. Leavitt
This case study gives students an opportunity to review skin structure and function, and to learn about the assessment and treatment of burns. The case tells the story of “Akeem,” a recent university graduate who severely burns his hand while iro...
Can Stem Cells Bring Magic to Medicine?
By Ashleigh Garrett, Joni H. Ylostalo
Despite the occasional controversy, the use of stem cells in science and medicine is increasingly important and widespread, and thus it is important to understand their basic characteristics, types, sources, and applications. This directed case study...
By Breanna N. Harris, Heidi Schutz
In this directed case study, students determine the impact of various venoms or disorders on the electrophysiology of neurons. Students begin with a review of basic neuron terms, physiology, and polarization, with particular emphasis on leak and volt...
By Nalini V. Broadbelt, Amitoj S. Sawhney, Michelle A. Young
This directed case study is based on the true story of a 26-day-old infant who died from congenital heart defects (CHDs). The clinical tests performed on this baby are explored as the 20-year-old brother learns how a malformed heart and defective red...
By Madison Hossack, Kenneth W. Yip
At the intersection of cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, this case study examines the complexities of vesicular transport and the potentially large-scale implications on human health in instances of dysregulation. Students analyze and ev...
Cords, Coffee Tables, and Cadavers
By Sheri L. Boyce
This collection of mini cases on cardiac function challenges students to explore the relationship between heart rate, stroke volume, and cardiac output, and to investigate some of the factors that alter each component, including preload, contractilit...
By Melody J. Neumann, Michelle B. French, Franco A. Taverna
In this video-centered case study, “Liam” meets with healthcare professionals and is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus due to the loss of vasopressin caused by a head injury. After watching Liam’s story, either at home or in class, students ans...
Exploring the Ventricles of the Brain Using a Four-Step Systematic Approach
By Natascha Heise, Katelyn E. Brown, Tod R. Clapp
This case study uses a modified problem-based learning approach to explore the anatomy and physiology of the ventricular system along with the sub-arachnoid space. Critical thinking is important for success in professional schools and future careers;...
By Theresa L. Beaty
“Wesley,” an apparently healthy newborn boy, develops breathing difficulties and becomes unresponsive around 48 hours after birth. Clinical tests show elevated levels of ammonia and organic acids with corresponding acidemia; genetic tests uncover...
By John B. Chiari, Jillian Giblin, Courtney L. McGinnis
This interrupted case study tells the story of “William,” an immigrant from the Faroe Islands to Cape Cod, MA, who has recently experienced an acute myocardial infarction (MI). With the help of his healthcare team, William learns about his ...
By Stephanie Dingwall, Tammy Nguyen
This interrupted case study is an exploration of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, which results from a genetic defect in a urea cycle enzyme. Students are introduced to a 21-year-old patient who loses consciousness after a gym session. Up...
If Only These Bones Could Talk
By Ashley E. Rhodes
This case study begins with a forensic investigation about animal bones. As the case unfolds, more and more is revealed about the bones and students are invited to hypothesize how the information discovered within the bone tissue provides clues...
By Jayashree Sarathy, Faith Donner, Tiara Perez Morales, Daniyal Mehmood, Gerda Simkeviciute
This directed case study is designed to improve the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Laboratory test results from real patients are used to tell the story of three individuals in a family who test positive for COVID and are hospitalized during ...
Creatine and the Case of the Aging Athlete
By Scott Medler
This case study examines the interconnections between creatine, creatinine, muscle physiology, and kidney function. “Jan,” a woman in her mid-40s, leaves her doctor’s appointment with questions about her slightly elevated creatinine levels. Aft...
By Christopher E. Braganca, Nicole M. Dib, Catherine M. Kelly, Philip J. Stephens
This interrupted case study tells the story of “Emily,” a recent college graduate who has taken a gap year to follow her dream of becoming a pediatric doctor. As part of her post-graduate activities, she goes on a one-month humanitarian trip to S...
By Emma K. Roberts, Giuliana DiMarco, Nitish Mittal, Hannah Olvera, Breanna N. Harris
In this interrupted case study, students assume the role of a first-year medical resident starting their OB-GYN rotation with “Dr. Peera.” When a patient is rushed to the ER with back pain, vaginal discharge, and severe abdominal cramps, Dr. Peer...
An Anatomic Study of the Automatic Autonomic Nervous System
By Hollie L. Leavitt
This interrupted case study begins with a woman’s discovery that both she and her husband are carriers for familial dysautonomia (FD), a disease that affects the development and survival of neurons in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The case co...
By Alexis Lee, Diane Kim, Eric Sternlicht, Caroline H. Wilson
This case study is based on a true story of a professor who had hearing and balance issues and was subsequently diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). As learners label images, generate hypotheses, and think critically about Profe...
By Geoffrey M. Lippa, Heather Zimbler-DeLorenzo, Jean A. Cardinale
This directed case study with laboratory components is an adaptation of a “clicker case” by Terry Platt that reviews basic chemistry to explain pH and buffers (see “Acids, pH and Buffers: Some Basic Chemistry for Biological Science” published...
Confusion in the Cardiology Wing
By Sarah K. Thomas, Katherine N. Harris, Breanna N. Harris
In this interrupted case study, students assume the role of a first-year resident whose first patient arrives by ambulance with a suspected myocardial infarction (MI) in progress. Students consider which clinical tests would be helpful to confirm the...