Wednesday 11 January 2012

Medical diagnosis

My prof has assigned a term paper and I need your help! Everyone in my class has been given a unique case study about a person who has just been admitted to a hospital. It turns out that this person needs a medical diagnosis... and it's up to us to figure out what chronic illness he or she might have. I think I have an idea what it might be, but it would be nice to get a second opinion. Can you help me?

Here's the case study:

"Mr. Madison, 38 years of age, went to the emergency department of a major urban medical center three weeks after being discharged from the medical center for treatment of toxoplasmosis. Currently unemployed, he has been living with his partner for the past two years. The admission nursing history was obtained from his partner as it was difficult for Mr. Madison to speak. Before he became too fatigued to work, he was a carpenter/electrician. He occasionally used alcohol, but was otherwise drug-free.

Mr. Madison’s came to the hospital because he had difficulty swallowing and a sore throat. He had more difficulty swallowing cold liquids than hot ones and complained of a burning chest pain while swallowing. His cough was productive of clear sputum, and cultures showed that he had Pneumocystis carinii. He is 5ft 6 in tall and weighs 53.6kg. He also had loose stools for several days. His temperature was 37oC, heart rate 120 beats per minute, respiratory rate 24, and blood pressure 120/78mm Hg. His lungs were clear to auscultation and he had erythematous ulcerations on his tonsillar fossa and under his tongue."

Saturday 7 January 2012

Peronality test

The other day Hoang asked me to do a personality test. I'm skeptical when it comes to these things. In my experience they are usually inaccurate but the results of this test are quite revealing. According to Myers-Briggs personality test, I am a "Counselor" and my personality type is INFJ (Idealist). Hoang is a "Mastermind" Rationalist... go figure :P

I would love to hear whether or not you believe the characteristics described below are an accurate description of my personality.
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"INFJs are conscientious and value-driven. They seek meaning in relationships, ideas, and events, with an eye toward better understanding themselves and others. Using their intuitive skills, they develop a clear and confident vision, which they then set out to execute, aiming to better the lives of others. Like their INTJ counterparts, INFJs regard problems as opportunities to design and implement creative solutions.

INFJs are quiet, private individuals who prefer to exercise their influence behind the scenes. Although very independent, INFJs are intensely interested in the well-being of others. INFJs prefer one-on-one relationships to large groups. Sensitive and complex, they are adept at understanding complicated issues and driven to resolve differences in a cooperative and creative manner.

INFJs have a rich, vivid inner life, which they may be reluctant to share with those around them. Nevertheless, they are congenial in their interactions, and perceptive of the emotions of others. Generally well-liked by their peers, they may often be considered close friends and confidants by most other types. However, they are guarded in expressing their own feelings, especially to new people, and so tend to establish close relationships slowly. INFJs tend to be easily hurt, though they may not reveal this except to their closest companions. INFJs may "silently withdraw as a way of setting limits", rather than expressing their wounded feelings—a behavior that may leave others confused and upset.

INFJs tend to be sensitive, quiet leaders with a great depth of personality. They are intricately and deeply woven, mysterious, and highly complex, sometimes puzzling even to themselves. They have an orderly view toward the world, but are internally arranged in a complex way that only they can understand. Abstract in communicating, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. With a natural affinity for art, INFJs tend to be creative and easily inspired. Yet they may also do well in the sciences, aided by their intuition."