Adult Health Test 1

Inflammation

A biological response to injury characterized by the movement of white blood cells (WBCs) to the site of injury.

Neutrophils

The first type of white blood cells to arrive at the site of injury, typically within 6-12 hours.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells engulf and digest bacteria, damaged cells, and foreign materials.

Inflammatory Exudate

Fluid that leaks out of blood vessels during inflammation, which can vary in appearance (e.g., serous, purulent).

Serous drainage

Clear and watery fluid often seen in inflammation.

Purulent drainage

Thick, yellow fluid known as pus, indicating infection.

Pressure Injury Stage I

Non-blanchable redness over a bony prominence, which may be painful or firm.

Pressure Injury Stage II

Partial thickness loss of dermis, presenting as a shallow open ulcer or intact fluid-filled blister.

Pressure Injury Stage III

Full thickness skin loss with visible subcutaneous fat, but no exposure of bone or muscle.

Pressure Injury Stage IV

Full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon, or muscle, often leading to complications like osteomyelitis.

Infection

An invasion of the body by pathogens, leading to signs and symptoms of disease.

Pathogen

Any microorganism that causes disease, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

Emerging infection

An infectious disease whose incidence has increased in the past 20 years or threatens to increase.

Drug resistance

When pathogens change in ways that reduce the effectiveness of drugs used to treat infections.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)

Infections acquired in healthcare settings, such as CLABSI and CAUTI.

HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus, a global pandemic that attacks the immune system.

CD4+ T cells

Immune cells that are damaged and destroyed in HIV infection, leading to immune dysfunction.

Opportunistic diseases

Infections and cancers that occur in immunosuppressed patients, often due to HIV.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

A chronic, progressive disorder characterized by demyelination of nerve fibers in the CNS.

Parkinson’s disease (PD)

A chronic disease of the basal ganglia marked by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Myasthenia gravis (MG)

An autoimmune disease characterized by fluctuating weakness of skeletal muscles due to antibody attack on acetylcholine receptors.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

A progressive neurologic disorder leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, often resulting in respiratory failure.

Huntington’s disease (HD)

A genetically transmitted disorder characterized by chorea and cognitive decline.

Dementia

A syndrome characterized by loss of cognitive functions, including memory and reasoning.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

The most common form of dementia, characterized by neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

Delirium

A state of confusion that develops rapidly, often due to underlying conditions or precipitating events.