Hormonal and Glucose Regulation

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to hormonal and glucose regulation, assessment findings, risk factors, and diagnostic tests.

Acromegaly

progressive enlargement of peripheral body parts resulting from excessive secretion of growth hormone

Autocrine Action

hormones produce a biological action on the cell that released them

Cortisol

Primary glucocorticoid from the adrenal cortex that regulates metabolism, stress response, and inflammation.

Endocrine Gland

A ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream (e.g., thyroid, pituitary).

Euglycemia

normal blood glucose levels

Glucocorticoids

steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to adrenocorticotropic hormone; produce a rise of liver glycogen and blood glucose

Glycogenolysis

the breakdown of stored glycogen in the liver to release glucose into the blood.

Hyperglycemia

Elevated blood glucose; classic signs are polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia.

Hypoglycemia

Blood glucose below normal; symptoms include sweating, tremor, confusion, and tachycardia.

Negative Feedback

regulating mechanism in which an increase or decrease in the level of a substance decreases or increases the function of the organ producing the substance

Neuroendocrine Action

hormone produced within a neuron and then travels through circulation to exert effects on target cells

Paracrine Action

hormones act locally on cells in the vicinity of where they are released

Proliferation

the reproduction or multiplication of similar forms, especially cells

Necrosis

localized tissue death that occurs in groups of cells or part of a structure or an organ in response to disease or injury

Cytokines

any class of polypeptide immunoregulatory substances that are secreted by cells, usually of the immune system, that affect other cells

Exudate

fluids, cells, or other substances that have been slowly exuded or have escaped from blood vessels and have been deposited in tissues or on tissue surfaces

Chemotaxis

a response involving cell orientation or cell movement that is either toward (positive chemotaxis) or away from (negative chemitoaxis) a chemical stimulus

Leukocytosis

an increase in the synthesis and release of neutrophils from bone marrow

Vasodilation

the widening of blood vessels resulting from relaxation of smooth muscle cells in the vessel walls, which increases blood flow and decreases blood pressure.

Histamine

present in preformed stores in cells and is among the first mediators to be released during an acute inflammatory reaction

Macrophage

reticuloendothelial cells capable of phagocytosis

Platelet aggregation

The process by which platelets clump together to form a plug that helps in blood clotting.

Purulent or suppurative exudate

producing or containing pus

Sterile aseptic technique

a technique to ensure that an area is free of living microorganisms, all surgical supplies are sterilized

Medical aseptic technique

Exotoxins

proteins released from the bacterial cell during growth that may damage cells

Endotoxins

complex molecules composed of lipid and polysaccharides found in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria; potent activators of many regulatory systems in humans

Pathogen

a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause disease

Reservoir

Host

any organism capable of supporting the nutritional and physical growth requirements of another

Phagocytosis

the engulfment and then killing or degrading of microorganisms or other particulate matter

B lymphocytes

form antibodies that provide humoral immunity

T lymphocytes

cell-mediated immunity

Direct contact

pathogens transmitted directly from infected tissue or secretions to exposed, intact mucous membranes

Droplet transmission

Medical Asepsis

Surgical Asepsis

Personal Protective Equipment

gloves, masks, eye protection, and cover gowns

Standard Precautions

uniform level of caution; includes appropriate hand hygiene, the use of PPE, proper handling of patient care equipment and linen, environmental control, prevention of injury from sharp devices, and patient room assignments within health care facilities

Isolation Precautions

guidlines created to prevent transmission of microorganisms in health care facilities

Innate (Natural) Immunity

non-specific, provides a broad spectrum of defense against and resistance to infection

first line of defense following antigen exposure; protects without remembering prior contact with an infection agent

Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity

develops due to prior exposure to an antigen through immunization or by contracting a disease

body produces an immune response to defend against the disease on re-exposure

Passive Immunity

temporary immunity that is transmitted from a source outside the body that has developed immunity through previous disease or immunization

ex: antibodies transferred from mother to infant through breastfeeding

Active Immunity

immunologic defenses developed by the person’s own body

immunity typically lasts many years or even a lifetime

Humoral Immunity

characterized by the production of antibodies by B lymphocytes in response to a specific antigen

Cellular (Cell-mediated) Immunity

Pathogen

Antibodies

Antigen

Autoimmune

Neutrophils

Eosinophils

Basophiils

Leukocytes

Cytokines

Mast cells

Monocytes

Macrophages

Dendritic Cells

Natural Killer Cells

Complement System

Abrasion

Acrocyanosis

Arterial Ulcer

Avulsion

Chemical Injury

Contusion

Dehiscence

Diabetic Ulcer

Evisceration

Incision

Laceration

Pressure Ulcer

Puncture

Pruritis

Skin Shearing

Thermal Injury

Turgor

Venous Ulcer