`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.

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.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Non-progressive brain damage affecting movement and posture.

Hydrocephalus

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

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

Temporary neurological deficits lasting <24 hours 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.

Hemorrhagic stroke

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

Alzheimer's dementia

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

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.

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.

Chorea

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

Spinal cord transection

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

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.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial infection of the meninges causing inflammation and meningeal signs.

Brain cancer

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

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.

Iron deficiency anemia

Anemia due to inadequate iron for hemoglobin synthesis.

Pernicious anemia (B12 deficiency)

B12 deficiency from lack of intrinsic factor absorption; autoimmune or nutritional.

Leukemia

Malignant proliferation of white blood cells in the bone marrow.

Lymphoma

Malignant transformation of lymphocytes in the lymphatic system.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

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

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

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

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

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

Testicular cancer

Malignancy presenting as a painless testicular mass; risk factors include cryptorchidism.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle(s).

Prostate cancer

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

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.

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.

Aneurysm

Localized dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel wall.

Septic shock

Shock due to severe infection with warm or cold phases and systemic hypotension.

Neurogenic shock

Shock due to spinal cord injury causing loss of sympathetic tone and hypotension.

Anaphylactic shock

Allergic reaction with bronchospasm, urticaria, and systemic hypotension.

Cardiogenic shock

Shock from massive cardiac failure and reduced cardiac output.

Hypovolemic shock

Shock from severe fluid loss or dehydration.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Widespread activation of coagulation leading to both clotting and bleeding.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing when lying flat.

Hypoxia

Decreased oxygen delivery to tissues.

Hypoxemia

Low oxygen level in arterial blood.

Hypercapnia

Elevated carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

Emphysema

Destruction of alveolar walls leading to loss of elastic recoil and air trapping.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic productive cough for ≥3 months in 2 consecutive years with airway inflammation.

Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation with reversible bronchospasm, mucus production, and edema.

Status asthmaticus

Life-threatening acute asthma attack unresponsive to treatment.

Pneumonia

Infection of lung parenchyma with inflammation and alveolar filling impairing gas exchange.

Nosocomial pneumonia

Hospital-acquired pneumonia ≥48 hours after admission, often with resistant organisms.

Aspiration pneumonia

Pneumonia from inhalation of gastric contents or oropharyngeal material.

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.

Pleural effusion

Excess fluid in the pleural space.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection forming granulomas; airborne transmission.

Pulmonary embolism

Blood clot blocking a pulmonary artery.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Genetic disease with thick, sticky secretions in lungs and pancreas.

Influenza

Viral infection of the respiratory tract with Type A, B, and C; Type A most severe.

Hyperventilation

Excessive breathing causing CO2 loss and respiratory alkalosis.

Hypoventilation

Inadequate breathing causing CO2 retention and respiratory acidosis.

Respiratory acidosis

Acidosis from CO2 retention (hypoventilation) with pH < 7.35.

Respiratory alkalosis

Alkalosis from CO2 loss (hyperventilation) with pH > 7.45.