Inflammation, Infection, Immunity and Thermoregulation

These flashcards cover essential concepts from inflammation, infection, and thermoregulation to help with exam preparation.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s response to injury, irritants, or infection, acting as a critical first response leading to healing.

What are the classic signs of inflammation?

Redness, warmth, tissue swelling, loss of function, and pain.

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation lasts a few days and occurs quickly after injury; chronic inflammation can last for months or years and can damage healthy tissues.

What are some treatment options for inflammation?

Treatment options include dietary changes, NSAIDs, oral steroids, use of ice, and topical treatments for symptomatic relief.

What characterizes an infection?

An infection is the invasion of the body by disease-causing organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

What are the types of infections?

Localized, generalized, communicable, acute, chronic, secondary, and opportunistic infections.

How can health care acquired infections be prevented?

By practicing standard precautions, including hand hygiene and proper equipment handling.

What role does the immune system play in the body?

The immune system protects and defends the body against 'non-self' substances detected through tissue markers.

What are hypersensitivity reactions?

Hypersensitivity reactions are exaggerated immune responses to harmless substances, causing undesirable effects.

What is thermoregulation?

Thermoregulation is the body's process of maintaining its core internal temperature.

What are the phases of a fever?

Prodromal, onset, stationary, and resolution phases.

What can cause hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature rises above normal due to failure in thermoregulation.

How does thermoregulation change across the lifespan?

Infants and children lose heat more quickly than adults, while older adults often have decreased thermoregulation capabilities.

What are the key characteristics of urinary tract infections?

Presence of pathogens in the urinary tract, causing symptoms like dysuria, urgency, frequency, and possibly hematuria.

What is the treatment for urinary tract infections?

Treatment typically involves antibiotic therapy and may include urinary antiseptics and hydration.

What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, a dangerous pathogen resistant to many antibiotics.

What are common medications for allergic reactions?

Antihistamines like cetirizine, loratadine, and traditional antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s response to injury, irritants, or infection, acting as a critical first response leading to healing.

What are the classic signs of inflammation?

Redness, warmth, tissue swelling, loss of function, and pain.

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation lasts a few days and occurs quickly after injury; chronic inflammation can last for months or years and can damage healthy tissues.

What are some treatment options for inflammation?

Treatment options include dietary changes, NSAIDs, oral steroids, use of ice, and topical treatments for symptomatic relief.

What characterizes an infection?

An infection is the invasion of the body by disease-causing organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

What are the types of infections?

Localized, generalized, communicable, acute, chronic, secondary, and opportunistic infections.

What are common signs and symptoms of an infection?

Fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.

How can health care acquired infections be prevented?

By practicing standard precautions, including hand hygiene and proper equipment handling.

What role does the immune system play in the body?

The immune system protects and defends the body against 'non-self' substances detected through tissue markers.

What are the two main types of immunity?

Innate immunity (non-specific, always present) and adaptive immunity (specific, develops after exposure).

What is an antigen?

An antigen is any substance that causes the immune system to produce antibodies against it.

What are hypersensitivity reactions?

Hypersensitivity reactions are exaggerated immune responses to harmless substances, causing undesirable effects.

What is thermoregulation?

Thermoregulation is the body's process of maintaining its core internal temperature.

What are the phases of a fever?

Prodromal, onset, stationary, and resolution phases.

What are the primary mechanisms of heat loss from the body?

Radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.

What can cause hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature rises above normal due to failure in thermoregulation.

How does thermoregulation change across the lifespan?

Infants and children lose heat more quickly than adults, while older adults often have decreased thermoregulation capabilities.

What are the key characteristics of urinary tract infections?

Presence of pathogens in the urinary tract, causing symptoms like dysuria, urgency, frequency, and possibly hematuria.

What is the treatment for urinary tract infections?

Treatment typically involves antibiotic therapy and may include urinary antiseptics and hydration.

What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, a dangerous pathogen resistant to many antibiotics.

What are common medications for allergic reactions?

Antihistamines like cetirizine, loratadine, and traditional antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.

What is inflammation?

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s response to injury, irritants, or infection, acting as a critical first response leading to healing.

What are the classic signs of inflammation?

Redness, warmth, tissue swelling, loss of function, and pain.

What is the difference between acute and chronic inflammation?

Acute inflammation lasts a few days and occurs quickly after injury; chronic inflammation can last for months or years and can damage healthy tissues.

What are some treatment options for inflammation?

Treatment options include dietary changes, NSAIDs, oral steroids, use of ice, and topical treatments for symptomatic relief.

What are some key chemical mediators involved in the inflammatory response?

Histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and cytokines are examples of chemical mediators that regulate inflammation by promoting vasodilation, increasing vascular permeability, and attracting immune cells.

What characterizes an infection?

An infection is the invasion of the body by disease-causing organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.

What are the types of infections?

Localized, generalized, communicable, acute, chronic, secondary, and opportunistic infections.

What are common signs and symptoms of an infection?

Fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.

How can health care acquired infections be prevented?

By practicing standard precautions, including hand hygiene and proper equipment handling.

What are the common modes of infectious disease transmission?

Modes include direct contact (person-to-person), indirect contact (fomites), droplet transmission, airborne transmission, vector-borne transmission, and vehicle transmission (contaminated food/water).

What role does the immune system play in the body?

The immune system protects and defends the body against 'non-self' substances detected through tissue markers.

What are the two main types of immunity?

Innate immunity (non-specific, always present) and adaptive immunity (specific, develops after exposure).

What is an antigen?

An antigen is any substance that causes the immune system to produce antibodies against it.

What is the primary function of B lymphocytes (B cells) in adaptive immunity?

B cells are responsible for humoral immunity, primarily by producing antibodies that target and neutralize specific pathogens or toxins.

What are hypersensitivity reactions?

Hypersensitivity reactions are exaggerated immune responses to harmless substances, causing undesirable effects.

What are common medications for allergic reactions?

Antihistamines like cetirizine, loratadine, and traditional antihistamines such as diphenhydramine.

What is thermoregulation?

Thermoregulation is the body's process of maintaining its core internal temperature.

What are the phases of a fever?

Prodromal, onset, stationary, and resolution phases.

What are the primary mechanisms of heat loss from the body?

Radiation, conduction, convection, and evaporation.

What is the main role of the hypothalamus in thermoregulation?

The hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat, receiving signals about core body temperature and initiating responses (like sweating, shivering, or vasodilation/constriction) to maintain temperature homeostasis.

What can cause hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature rises above normal due to failure in thermoregulation.

How does thermoregulation change across the lifespan?

Infants and children lose heat more quickly than adults, while older adults often have decreased thermoregulation capabilities.

What are the key characteristics of urinary tract infections?

Presence of pathogens in the urinary tract, causing symptoms like dysuria, urgency, frequency, and possibly hematuria.

What are some common risk factors for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Risk factors include female anatomy (shorter urethra), sexual activity, certain types of birth control, menopause, kidney stones, catheter use, and suppressed immune systems.

What is the treatment for urinary tract infections?

Treatment typically involves antibiotic therapy and may include urinary antiseptics and hydration.

What is MRSA?

MRSA stands for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, a dangerous pathogen resistant to many antibiotics.