adult health FINAL modules 9 and 10

Indiscriminate Proliferation

Cancer cells divide continuously and ignore the body's internal "stop" signals.

Contact Inhibition

The normal process where cells stop dividing when they touch neighbors; cancer cells lose this, growing on top of each other

Dedifferentiation

The process where cancer cells lose their specialized identity (e.g., as a skin or brain cell) and revert to an immature, fetal-like appearance

Carcinogens

Agents that cause DNA mutations, including chemicals (benzene), radiation (UV), and viruses (HPV, EBV, Hep B)

Nadir

The period of lowest blood cell counts, occurring 7–10 days after chemotherapy, marking the highest risk for infection and bleeding

Neutropenic Fever

A medical emergency defined as a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a neutropenic patient

Stomatitis

Painful inflammation and ulceration of the GI tract/mouth; nursing care includes saline rinses and avoiding spicy/acidic foods

Cancer Cachexia

A wasting syndrome where the body depletes its own tissues; managed with small, high-protein, high-calorie meals

Brachytherapy

Internal radiation using radioactive seed implants; requires nurses to limit time, maintain distance, and wear lead shielding/dosimeter badges

Hematopoiesis

The production of blood cells occurring in the red bone marrow

Hemoglobin S

The abnormal form of hemoglobin in Sickle Cell Disease that causes cells to stiffen and sickle when oxygen is low

Leukostasis

An oncologic emergency where WBC >100,000, making blood thick and sludgy

Philadelphia Chromosome

The diagnostic hallmark for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

leukapheresis

A medical procedure to reduce high levels of white blood cells from the blood, often used in cases of leukostasis.

Reed Sternberg Cells

Large, multi-nucleated "owl-eye" cells that are the absolute hallmark of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Transient Ischemic Attack

A "brain smoke alarm"; temporary neurologic symptoms that resolve within 1 hour without permanent damage, but indicate high stroke risk

Ischemic Stroke

Accounts for 87% of strokes; caused by a blockage (thrombotic or embolic).

Thrombotic Stroke

A clot forms directly in the narrowed brain artery; often preceded by TIAs.

Embolic Stroke

A clot travels from elsewhere (often the heart due to Atrial Fibrillation) and lodges in the brain; occurs suddenly

Hemorrhagic Stroke

A "leak" in the brain; can be intracerebral (often due to HTN) or subarachnoid (ruptured aneurysm)

subarachnoid hemorrhage

"Worst Headache of My Life": The classic hallmark symptom of a

TPA

A "clot-buster" medication for ischemic stroke; must rule out hemorrhage via non-contrast CT scan before administration

Left brain Damage

results in language (aphasia) and logic issues; patient is typically slow, cautious, and frustrated

Right Brain Damage

results in impulsivity, poor judgment, and spatial-perceptual neglect

broca’s

cant speak

wenicke’s

cant undersand

Hemianopsia

Blindness in half of the visual field; nursing priority is to place objects within the patient's remaining visual field

Alzheimer’s

Most common dementia; characterized by brain atrophy, amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles

parkinsons

A dopamine deficiency caused by the loss of neurons in the substantia nigra

Carbidopa-Levodopa

The gold standard for Parkinson's; converts to dopamine in the brain. Protein intake should be timed later in the day as it interferes with absorption

Donepezil

cholinesterase inhibitor for alzheimers

Memantine

blocks glutamate for alzheimers

10-20

bun normal range

0.6-1.2

creatinine normal range

glutamate

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the brain accumulates too much _____, killing neurons and leading to memory loss