Pathophysiology: Inflammation and Infection

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the pathophysiology, stages, manifestations, diagnostics, and treatments for inflammation and infection.

Inflammation

A nonspecific response to an injury where the same sequence of events occurs regardless of cause, moving fluid, dissolved substances, and blood cells into interstitial tissues to destroy harmful agents, limit spread, and begin healing.

First Line of Defense

The body's initial protective barrier consisting of skin and mucous membranes, utilizing cilia to trap microorganisms and protective fluids such as gastric secretions, tears, nasal secretions, and saliva.

Acute Inflammation

An immediate, short-term response lasting $1$ to $2$ weeks that subsides upon removal of the harmful agent, allowing tissue repair and return to normal or near-normal function.

Local Manifestations of Inflammation

The five cardinal signs occurring at the direct site of tissue injury: redness, warmth, edema, pain, and loss of function.

Systemic Manifestations of Inflammation

Body-wide responses to acute inflammation, including fever, tachycardia, increased respiratory rate, loss of appetite, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, and increased white blood cell (WBC) count.

Pathophysiology of Inflammatory Response

A multi-stage process involving cellular injury, release of chemical mediators, vascular response (dilated vessels and increased capillary permeability), cellular response (movement of WBCs into tissue to phagocytize foreign agents), exudate formation, and tissue repair and regeneration.

Chronic Inflammation

An inflammatory process with a slower onset lasting weeks to months, occurring when acute inflammation is ineffective at removing the agent or due to constant irritation by physical or chemical irritants.

Complications of Chronic Inflammation

Systemic diseases associated with long-term inflammation, including neurological diseases, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's disease, pulmonary diseases, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.

Infection

The growth or invasion of disease-causing microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, mycoplasma, rickettsiae, chlamydia, or parasites.

Chain of Infection

The six linked components necessary for an infection to develop: pathogenic microorganism, reservoir, means of escape, mode of transmission, means of entry, and host susceptibility.

Incubation Stage

The initial phase of an infectious process where the organism enters the host; the host is asymptomatic, and the duration varies depending on the specific disease.

Prodromal Stage

The stage of an infectious process lasting $1$ to $2$ days, characterized by the onset of initial non-specific symptoms such as malaise, runny nose, and itchy, dry eyes.

Acute Stage of Infection

The phase of the infectious process where the disease reaches its full presentation and symptoms are fully manifested.

Convalescent Stage

The recovery period of an infectious process where symptoms subside and the host feels better, but the infection remains present.

Resolution Stage

The final stage of the infectious process characterized by the complete restoration of the body and return to normal health.

Germ Transmission Modes

The mechanisms by which pathogens spread between hosts, including droplets, airborne particles, direct contact, indirect contact, waterborne routes, foodborne routes, and vector-borne transmission.

Nosocomial Infections

Hospital-acquired infections resulting from increased host susceptibility, leading to increased morbidity, higher mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare expenses.

Diagnostic Tests for Inflammation

Laboratory blood tests used to detect systemic inflammatory activity, including WBC count with differential, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Diagnostic Tests for Infectious Organisms

Diagnostic procedures specifically utilized to identify infectious pathogens, including microbial cultures and lumbar puncture.

Antibiotics

The medication therapy of choice designated specifically for treating bacterial infections.

Antivirals

The medication therapy of choice designated specifically for treating viral infections.