`Pathophysiology Final Exam Study Guide - Modules 7-10 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, definitions, and pathophysiology concepts from neurological disorders, cardiovascular issues, respiratory diseases, and reproductive/hematologic topics in the notes.

Decerebrate posturing

Extensor posturing indicating brainstem damage; arms extended and internally rotated; legs extended with plantar flexion.

Decorticate posturing

Flexor posturing indicating damage above the brainstem; arms flexed toward the core with wrists flexed; legs extended.

Increased intracranial pressure (ICP)

Elevated pressure in the skull from brain edema, mass lesions, or CSF accumulation.

Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) Cues

• Early Cues: Headache, nausea/vomiting, altered LOC, restlessness, confusion, sluggish pupil response.
• Late Cues: Cushing's triad, severe altered consciousness, fixed dilated pupils, posturing.

Cushing's triad

Hypertension with widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations indicating severe ICP.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Autoimmune demyelination of CNS neurons with plaques in brain and spinal cord.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Etiology & Cues

• Etiology: Autoimmune, genetic predisposition, environmental triggers.
• Cues: Fatigue, visual disturbances, weakness, spasticity, coordination problems, cognitive changes, heat intolerance.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Non-progressive brain damage affecting movement and posture.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) Cues

Spasticity, abnormal reflexes, delayed motor development, abnormal gait, intellectual disability (variable).

Hydrocephalus

Excess CSF accumulation in brain ventricles due to overproduction, obstruction, or poor absorption.

Hydrocephalus Cues

• Infants: Enlarged head, bulging fontanelles, vomiting.
• Adults: Headache, gait disturbance, incontinence, dementia.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary neurological deficits lasting <24 hours (usually <1 hour) with no permanent damage.

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) / Stroke

Permanent brain damage from ischemia or hemorrhage.

Ischemic stroke

Thrombotic or embolic occlusion of cerebral vessels causing focal deficits.

Ischemic Stroke Cues

Gradual onset of focal neurological deficits.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Rupture of a cerebral blood vessel with sudden onset and potential increased ICP.

Hemorrhagic Stroke Cues

Sudden severe headache, rapid deterioration, increased ICP signs.

Alzheimer's dementia

Neurodegenerative dementia due to beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.

Alzheimer's Dementia Cues & Diagnosis

• Cues: Progressive memory loss, language difficulties, behavioral changes, disorientation.
• Required for Diagnosis: Cognitive decline in multiple domains affecting daily function.

Beta-amyloid plaques

Extracellular protein aggregates associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Neurofibrillary tangles

Intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein in Alzheimer's disease.

Seizure

Sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain; types include focal and generalized.

Simple partial seizure

Focal seizure with preserved consciousness.

Complex partial seizure

Focal seizure with impaired consciousness.

Generalized seizure

Seizure involving both cerebral hemispheres.

Status epilepticus

Seizure lasting >30 minutes or recurrent seizures without recovery.

Parkinson's disease

Neurodegenerative disorder due to loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra; tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia.

Parkinson's Disease Cues

Tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, mask-like face.

Tremor at rest

Involuntary trembling when muscles are relaxed; hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

Bradykinesia

Slowness of movement, a core Parkinson's symptom.

Huntington's disease

Genetic disorder causing progressive degeneration of the basal ganglia with chorea and dementia.

Huntington's Disease Cues

Choreiform movements, personality changes, progressive dementia, family history.

Chorea

Involuntary, dance-like movements seen in Huntington's disease.

Spinal cord transection

Complete severing of the spinal cord with level-dependent deficits.

Spinal Cord Transection Levels (Effects)

• C1-C4: Quadriplegia, respiratory paralysis.
• C5-C8: Quadriplegia, some arm function preserved.
• T1-T12: Paraplegia, arms normal.
• L1-S5: Variable leg weakness, bowel/bladder dysfunction.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four limbs, typically from high cervical injury.

Paraplegia

Paralysis of the lower extremities, with arms usually functional.

Spinal shock

Temporary loss of reflexes below the injury level lasting days to weeks.

Migraine

Recurrent severe headache often with aura, nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia.

Migraine Cues

Unilateral throbbing headache, visual aura, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial infection of the meninges causing inflammation and meningeal signs.

Bacterial Meningitis Cues

Fever, severe headache, neck stiffness (nuchal rigidity), photophobia, altered mental status, petechial rash.

Brain cancer

Primary or metastatic brain tumors that can increase ICP and disrupt function.

Brain Cancer Cues

Morning headaches, nausea/vomiting, seizures, focal neurological deficits, personality changes.

Sickle cell anemia

Genetic disorder with abnormal hemoglobin causing sickling of red blood cells.

Sickle cell crisis

Vaso-occlusive episodes causing severe pain and organ ischemia; triggered by dehydration, stress, high altitude, and fever.

Sickle Cell Crisis Cues

Severe pain, bone pain, pallor, tachycardia, skin ulcers, fatigue, fever, swelling, shortness of breath.

Iron deficiency anemia

Anemia due to inadequate iron for hemoglobin synthesis; it is microcytic and hypochromic (small, pale cells).

Iron Deficiency Anemia Etiology & Cues

• Etiology: Poor dietary intake, blood loss, malabsorption.
• Cues: Fatigue, weakness, pale skin, brittle nails, ice craving, stomatitis, delayed healing.

Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency)

B12 deficiency caused by lack of intrinsic factor, preventing B12 absorption; it leads to megaloblastic anemia.

Pernicious Anemia (B12 deficiency) Etiology & Cues

• Etiology: Autoimmune destruction of parietal cells, dietary deficiency.
• Cues: Fatigue, weakness, neurological symptoms (paresthesia, ataxia), glossitis, positive Babinski’s.

Leukemia

Malignant proliferation of white blood cells in the bone marrow.

Leukemia Cues

Fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising/bleeding, lymphadenopathy, bone pain.

Lymphoma

Malignant transformation of lymphocytes in the lymphatic system.

Lymphoma Cues

Painless lymphadenopathy, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Ascending infection from cervix/vagina to the upper reproductive tract, often STI-related.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Cues

Pelvic pain, fever, abnormal discharge, dyspareunia, irregular bleeding.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Condition with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, and infertility.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Risk Factors & Cues

• Risk Factors: Insulin resistance, family history, obesity.
• Cues: Irregular menstruation, hirsutism, acne, obesity, infertility.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation (12+ months amenorrhea).

Perimenopause

Transitional period before menopause with irregular cycles.

Menorrhagia

Heavy menstrual bleeding.

Dyspareunia

Painful intercourse.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation.

Stress incontinence

Urine loss with increased abdominal pressure (e.g., coughing, sneezing).

Urge incontinence

Sudden, intense urge to urinate with involuntary leakage.

Overflow incontinence

Bladder does not empty completely, causing leakage.

Functional incontinence

Urinary leakage due to physical or cognitive impairment, not bladder function.

Neurogenic incontinence

Incontinence due to neurologic conditions affecting bladder control.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland causing urinary symptoms.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) Cues

Urinary hesitancy, weak stream, nocturia, incomplete emptying, urgency.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Inability to achieve or maintain an erection due to vascular, neurologic, hormonal, or psychological factors.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Cues

Difficulty achieving or maintaining erection, reduced sexual desire.

Testicular cancer

Malignancy presenting as a painless testicular mass; risk factors include cryptorchidism, family history, age (15-35), and white race.

Testicular Cancer Cues

Painless testicular mass, heaviness in scrotum, back/abdominal pain.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle(s).

Prostate cancer

Malignancy of the prostate; higher risk with age >50, African American race, family history, and high-fat diet.

Prostate Cancer Cues

Often asymptotic early; later: urinary symptoms, bone pain, weight loss.

Thrombus formation

Clot development in vessels due to endothelial injury, stasis, and hypercoagulability.

Virchow's triad

Endothelial injury, blood stasis, and hypercoagulability as the three contributors to thrombosis.

Hypertension risk factors

Factors increasing risk for high blood pressure: age, obesity, high sodium, stress, genetics, smoking, low potassium, bone loss.

Hypertension (HTN)

Increased peripheral resistance or cardiac output leading to high blood pressure.

Hypertension (HTN) Cues

Often asymptomatic ('silent killer'), headache, dizziness, nosebleeds.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of a blood vessel to reduce blood flow.

Platelet plug formation

Initial hemostasis via platelets adhering and aggregating at a vessel wall.

Coagulation cascade

Series of enzymatic reactions yielding a fibrin clot.

Clot retraction and dissolution

Process of tightening the clot and eventually breaking it down during healing.

Cardiac Output

The amount of blood the heart pumps out in one minute.

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm or rate.

Dyslipidemia/Hyperlipidemia

High level of lipids in the blood.