CH 1 - Introduction to Pathophysiology

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental terms, definitions, and classifications introduced in Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology.

Pathophysiology

The study of functional changes in the body caused by injury, disorder, or disease.

Pathology

The study of structural changes (anatomic) associated with disease.

Disease

A functional impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or organ systems; broadly includes injuries, disorders, illnesses, and syndromes.

Pathogenesis

The origination and development of illness or disease, from initial trigger to clinical manifestation.

Risk Factor

A characteristic or exposure that increases the probability of disease; can be modifiable (e.g., smoking) or non-modifiable (e.g., age).

Etiology

The precise cause of a disease.

Pathogen

A disease-causing microorganism.

Multifactorial Etiology

A disease caused by more than one factor or trigger.

Idiopathic

A disease with no known cause.

Nosocomial

An infection or disease acquired in a healthcare setting.

Iatrogenic

A condition unintentionally caused by medical treatment.

Clinical Manifestations

The presenting signs and symptoms of a disease.

Sign

An objective, measurable indicator of disease observed by a clinician (e.g., fever, rash).

Symptom

A subjective experience reported by the patient (e.g., pain, fatigue).

Local Manifestation

Signs or symptoms confined to one area of the body.

Systemic Manifestation

Signs or symptoms affecting the whole body.

Acute

A disease or symptom with rapid onset and short duration.

Subacute

A disease course between acute and chronic in duration or severity.

Chronic

A long-lasting or persistent disease, often lasting months to years.

Remission

A period during which symptoms diminish or disappear.

Exacerbation

A period during which symptoms worsen.

Asymptomatic

Having no noticeable symptoms despite the presence of disease.

Diagnosis

The label or name for a disease, based on specific criteria and tests.

Prognosis

The predicted course and outcome of a disease.

Morbidity

The rate or presence of illness within a population.

Mortality

The rate of death within a population.

Treatment

Medical or therapeutic measures used to cure or relieve a disease.

Homeostasis

The body’s dynamic process of maintaining internal stability.

Epidemiology

The study of disease distribution and determinants in populations.

Incidence

The number of new cases of a disease in a given time period.

Prevalence

The total number of existing cases of a disease at a given time.

Endemic

A disease consistently present within a specific geographic area or population.

Epidemic

An outbreak in which a disease occurs in excess of normal expectancy in a region.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread across countries or continents.

World Health Organization (WHO)

The United Nations agency responsible for global public health.

Primary Prevention

Measures taken to prevent a disease from occurring (e.g., vaccination).

Secondary Prevention

Early detection of disease through screening to halt or slow progression.

Tertiary Prevention

Rehabilitation or interventions to prevent complications or further deterioration in established disease.

Evidence-Based Practice

Healthcare that integrates the best current research with clinical expertise and patient values.

Human Diversity

Variation in gender, age, race, locale, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity that can influence pathogenesis.

Concept (in Pathophysiology)

A generalizable idea or principle that applies across multiple diseases.

Functional Concepts of Altered Health

Meaningful clusters of knowledge about how various diseases alter normal body functions.