Med-Surg Nursing: Musculoskeletal, Neurological, and Gastrointestinal Disorders

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering vocabulary, pathophysiology, diagnostic signs, and nursing management across medical-surgical exam topics: osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, SLE, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and peptic ulcer disease.

Osteopenia

A condition characterized by a loss of bone mass and weaker bones, typically serving as a precursor to osteoporosis.

Osteomalacia

A condition characterized by softening of the bones, typically caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis

A chronic, progressive metabolic bone disease marked by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, making bones porous, brittle, and highly fragile.

Bisphosphonate Therapy

Medication used to decrease bone resorption; must be taken on an empty stomach with a full $8\,\text{oz}$ glass of plain water, remaining upright for at least $30\,\text{minutes}$ without eating, drinking, or taking other medications for $1\,\text{hour}$ to prevent esophageal erosion.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

A slowly progressive, non-systemic degenerative joint disorder caused by the breakdown and deterioration of articular cartilage from wear and tear, leading to bone spurs and joint space narrowing.

Heberden's Nodes

Hard, bony outgrowths that form on the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints of the fingers, characteristic of osteoarthritis.

Bouchard's Nodes

Bony enlargements located on the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of the fingers, closer to the body, characteristic of osteoarthritis.

Crepitation (Crepitus)

A grating or crunching sound and sensation heard or felt in a joint caused by bone surfaces rubbing against each other or loose cartilage fragments during motion.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

A chronic, systemic autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack the synovium, causing bilateral, symmetrical joint inflammation, morning stiffness lasting longer than $30\,\text{minutes}$, and extra-articular manifestations.

Greenstick Fracture

An incomplete fracture where one side of the bone bends and cracks while the opposite side remains intact; most commonly seen in children.

Compartment Syndrome

A medical emergency characterized by an increase in pressure within a muscle compartment that impairs circulation to the limb, causing severe pain that is unrelieved by medications.

Fasciotomy

A surgical incision made through the skin and fascia into a muscle compartment to relieve elevated pressure and restore vascular perfusion.

Fat Embolism Syndrome

A severe complication of long bone or hip fractures in which fat globules from bone marrow enter circulation and travel to the pulmonary system, presenting with dyspnea, petechiae on the chest, and hypoxemia.

Clinical Manifestations of a Hip Fracture

Key assessment findings include external rotation, severe pain at the fracture site, muscle spasms, and shortening of the affected leg.

Buck's Traction

A form of temporary skin traction using a boot and free-hanging weights applied to an injured lower limb to immobilize the bone, maintain alignment, and reduce painful muscle spasms prior to surgical repair.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, systemic autoimmune disease of the connective tissue characterized by widespread immune-complex deposition, production of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and fluctuating flares and remissions.

Butterfly Rash (Malar Rash)

A fixed, erythematous, butterfly-shaped eruption over the cheeks and bridge of the nose that is frequently exacerbated by sun exposure, characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

A chronic autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder where the immune system attacks and destroys the myelin sheath of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord, causing sclerotic plaque formation and impaired nerve transmission.

Parkinson's Disease

A progressive neurological movement disorder caused by a depletion of dopamine and relative excess of acetylcholine, clinically recognized by tremors at rest, pill-rolling, muscle rigidity, and a short, shuffling gait.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A transient episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by a focal and temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, typically resolving completely on its own without permanent infarction.

Alteplase (tPA) Administration

A fibrinolytic agent administered intravenously to dissolve clots in acute ischemic stroke, which must be administered within $3$ to $4.5\,\text{hours}$ of symptom onset after confirming the absence of hemorrhage via CT scan.

Hemianopsia

A loss of vision in half of the visual field in one or both eyes following neurological damage, requiring patients to be taught scanning techniques to prevent injury and self-neglect.

Dysphasia vs. Dysphagia

Dysphasia refers to difficulty with speech or language comprehension and expression, whereas dysphagia refers to difficulty with swallowing.

Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E

Viral hepatitis types transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food or water, typically causing acute infections that resolve spontaneously.

Hepatitis B, C, and D

Viral hepatitis types transmitted via blood, body fluids, and high-risk sexual or needle-sharing practices; capable of progressing to chronic infection, cirrhosis, and hepatic failure.

Fetor Hepaticus

A distinct, sweet, foul, musty breath odor found in severe liver failure and cirrhosis caused by accumulated metabolic toxins such as volatile sulfur compounds.

Esophageal Varices

Dilated, tortuous veins in the submucosa of the lower esophagus caused by elevated portal hypertension, carrying a severe risk of rupture and life-threatening hemorrhage.

Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube

A specialized three-lumen or multi-lumen tube with esophageal and gastric balloons used to exert mechanical tamponade on bleeding esophageal and gastric varices.

Paracentesis

A bedside surgical procedure wherein a needle or catheter is inserted into the peritoneal cavity to withdraw ascitic fluid; the patient must empty their bladder prior to the procedure to prevent accidental puncture.

Grey-Turner's Sign

A bluish-gray discoloration or ecchymosis present on the flank area, indicating retroperitoneal bleeding often secondary to acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

Cullen's Sign

A bluish discoloration or ecchymosis around the umbilicus indicating intraperitoneal hemorrhage associated with acute pancreatitis.

Chvostek's Sign and Trousseau's Sign

Physical assessment signs demonstrating neuromuscular irritability from hypocalcemia: Chvostek's sign is facial muscle twitching when tapping the facial nerve, and Trousseau's sign is carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure.

T-Tube

A pliable, T-shaped biliary drainage tube surgically inserted into the common bile duct following open cholecystectomy or duct exploration to maintain duct patency and allow bile drainage while edema subsides.

Billroth I and Billroth II

Surgical procedures for peptic ulcer disease or gastric disorders: Billroth I (gastroduodenostomy) connects the remaining stomach directly to the duodenum; Billroth II (gastrojejunostomy) connects the remaining stomach directly to the jejunum.

Vagotomy

The surgical transection of branches of the vagus nerve to reduce gastric acid secretion in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease.