Pathophysiology - Introductory Concepts Flashcards

A comprehensive set of 300 Q/A flashcards covering core concepts from the provided pathophysiology notes, including definitions, terminology, epidemiology, and patient-centered care concepts.

What is pathophysiology?

The study of mechanisms of disease and how these mechanisms lead to signs and symptoms in the body.

What is anatomy vs physiology?

the study of body structures vs. the study of body functions.

What are the three foundational themes in studying the human body?

Complementarity of structure and function; hierarchy of structural relationships; and homeostasis.

What is homeostasis?

The tendency toward internal balance and regulation of the body, maintaining stability across systems.

Which body systems participate in homeostatic balance?

Integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems.

What is metabolism?

The physical and chemical changes occurring in the body that are necessary for life.

How is pathophysiology defined in this text?

The study of mechanisms of disease and the interdependence of altered structure and function.

What is pathogenesis?

The origin and development of disease, from onset to presentation.

Give an example of a disease process beginning years before onset.

In diabetes mellitus, pancreatic beta islet cell destruction can begin years before the onset.

What is a modifiable risk factor?

A factor that can be changed by the individual (e.g., dietary intake, weight, smoking).

What are nonmodifiable risk factors?

Factors that cannot be changed by behavior (e.g., genetic composition).

What are examples of risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD)?

Elevated cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, cigarette smoking, family history/genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle.

What is etiology?

The precise cause of disease at the beginning of the disease process.

What does multifactorial etiology mean?

Disease caused by multiple factors, such as genes and environment.

What does idiopathic mean?

Having no known etiologic factor.

What is a nosocomial disease?

A disease acquired in the healthcare environment (e.g., hospital-acquired infection like varicella).

What is iatrogenic disease?

An unintended result of medical treatment.

Are nosocomial and iatrogenic diseases automatically medical errors?

Not necessarily; nosocomial refers to hospital exposure, and iatrogenic refers to treatment-related effects, which may or may not be errors.

What are clinical manifestations?

The presenting signs and symptoms of a disease.

What is a sign?

Observable or measurable manifestation of a disease.

What is a symptom?

An indicator reported by the patient and not directly observable.

What is a syndrome?

A recognizable cluster of clinical manifestations.

What is a prognosis?

The forecast or prediction of how the disease will progress.

What is the goal of treatment?

To eliminate or reduce the cause of disease and thereby reduce clinical manifestations.

What is a nursing diagnosis?

A diagnosis describing the human response to illness used by nursing professionals.

What is a medical diagnosis?

A label for a disease or condition used by healthcare professionals.

What is prognosis often based on?

Health statistics across populations and outcomes of similar diseases.

What is the difference between diagnosis and syndrome in clinical practice?

identifies the condition- is a cluster of manifestations that may be labeled as such.

What is the treatment of disease dependent on?

Etiology and clinical manifestations.

What is primary prevention?

Protecting people from developing a disease or injury.

Give examples of primary prevention.

Wearing a bike helmet and immunizations.

What is secondary prevention?

Early detection of disease through screening and early treatment.

Give examples of secondary prevention.

Monthly self-examinations for early cancer detection (e.g., breast or testicular).

What is tertiary prevention?

Rehabilitation after diagnosis or injury and prevention of complications or progression.

Give examples of tertiary prevention.

Physical therapy and occupational therapy after stroke.

What is evidence-based practice?

Care based on the most current research, clinical expertise, and consideration of patient diversity.

What is epidemiology?

The study of disease in populations.

What is incidence?

The number of new cases within a given time period.

What is prevalence?

The number or percentage of a population living with a disease at a given time.

What does endemic mean in epidemiology?

Incidence and prevalence are predictable and stable over time.

What is an epidemic?

A dramatic increase in disease incidence above the endemic rate.

What is a pandemic?

An epidemic that spreads across continents.

What is the World Health Organization (WHO) known for?

Providing a yearly guide to global health statistics, including mortality and life expectancy.

What were the top three worldwide causes of death in 2016 according to WHO?

Heart disease, stroke, COPD (with several others in the top ten).

What is disease prevention’s role in health professions?

Critical role; aims to reduce the occurrence and impact of disease.

Name the three levels of disease prevention.

Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

What does primary prevention focus on?

Protecting people from developing a disease or injury.

What is an example of secondary prevention?

Screening and early treatment to detect disease early.

What is an example of tertiary prevention?

Rehabilitation after a diagnosis to improve function and prevent progression.

What is the central idea of population health in this text?

Focus on health of populations and health statistics to guide prevention and care.

What is the health–illness continuum?

A dynamic range describing an individual’s perception of health and illness.

What is meant by 'person-first language' in healthcare?

Address the person before the disease (e.g., 'the woman with diabetes').

What is an incidence example given for ALS in the notes?

2 per 100,000 people per year.

What is a prevalence example given for ALS in the notes?

12,187 people in the United States living with ALS.

What is an example of a local manifestation?

Redness, swelling, or pain confined to the site of disease.

What is an example of a systemic manifestation?

Fever or generalized body symptoms affecting the whole body.

What is a precipitating factor?

A trigger that promotes disease onset or flare (e.g., in asthma: exercise, cold air, infections, stress, allergens).

What is a sign vs a symptom in the herpes example?

Sign: redness with vesicles; symptom: tingling or fatigue.

What is the difference between acute, subacute, and chronic disease onset?

Acute: abrupt onset; subacute: between acute and chronic; chronic: long-lasting (>6 months with possible remissions/exacerbations).

What is asymptomatic disease?

Disease present without symptoms, often detected by screening tests.

What is the role of screening tests like Pap smears and mammograms?

Detect disease in asymptomatic individuals; enable early intervention.

What is a syndrome example mentioned in the notes?

Down syndrome.

What does 'disease' broadly include in this text?

Injuries, disorders, illnesses, and syndromes.

What is the purpose of pharmacologic interventions in disease?

Drug treatments used to treat disease.

What is a disease label vs. syndrome label emphasis in health professions?

Diagnosis is a disease label; syndrome is a cluster of clinical manifestations.

What is the purpose of the ongoing research and knowledge in health professions?

To guide decisions about pharmacologic treatments, surgeries, health promotion, nutrition, and genetic counseling.

What is a basic alteration in cells and tissues (Box 1.3)?

Basic alterations in cells and tissues (foundational concept).

What is inflammation (Box 1.3)?

A functional alteration of health involving immune response and tissue change.

What is immunity (Box 1.3)?

A functional alteration involving the body's defense against pathogens.

What is infection (Box 1.3)?

A functional alteration involving invasion by microorganisms causing disease.

What is genetic and developmental disorders (Box 1.3)?

Functional alterations involving inherited or developmental abnormalities.

What is altered cellular proliferation and differentiation (Box 1.3)?

Changes in growth and maturation of cells.

What is altered fluid/electrolyte and acid/base balance (Box 1.3)?

Dysregulation of body fluid balance and pH.

What is altered neural transmission (Box 1.3)?

Disruption in nerve signaling.

What is altered mood and behavior (Box 1.3)?

Changes in mental state or behavior due to disease.

What is altered sensory function and pain perception (Box 1.3)?

Changes in sensation and pain processing.

What is altered hormonal/metabolic processes (Box 1.3)?

Changes in hormone production or metabolic regulation.

What is altered reproductive function (Box 1.3)?

Changes affecting reproductive systems.

What is altered ventilation and diffusion (Box 1.3)?

Impairment in breathing and gas exchange.

What is altered tissue perfusion (Box 1.3)?

Impaired blood flow to tissues.

What is altered nutrition (Box 1.3)?

Disrupted intake, digestion, absorption, or utilization of nutrients.

What is altered elimination (Box 1.3)?

Dysfunction in excretion processes.

What is degenerative changes in aging (Box 1.3)?

Age-related tissue degeneration.

What is the conceptual approach to learning disease processes?

Learn general disease processes and apply them to specific conditions.

What is the destination of applying knowledge in healthcare?

Effective application of knowledge to patient care.

What is the 'Stop and Consider' prompt used for in the notes?

Encourages reflection on whether certain conditions are medical errors or just disease processes.

What is the 'Epidemiology' framework used to identify?

Who is affected, where disease is widespread, why it occurs, and how to reduce spread.

What is the role of health statistics in population health?

Evaluate incidence, prevalence, and outcomes to improve public health.

What is the significance of creating a patient-centered language?

Helps avoid labeling individuals by disease and supports holistic care.

What is the relationship between pathology and physiology in pathophysiology?

Pathology studies disease-related changes; physiology studies how body systems function; pathophysiology integrates both to explain disease mechanisms.

What is the meaning of 'syndrome' in clinical practice?

A recognizable pattern of signs and symptoms that may indicate a broader condition.

What are risk factors used to guide in disease prevention?

Identify targets for prevention strategies and health interventions.

What is 'clinical manifestations' clustering used for?

To diagnose a disease by combining signs, symptoms, and diagnostic tests.

What is the purpose of treatment in relation to etiology and manifestations?

Treatments aim to remove or mitigate the cause and reduce manifestations.

What is a 'multifactorial etiology' disease example mentioned?

Cardiovascular disease and cancer as examples where multiple factors contribute.

What is a 'pathogen' in etiology?

A disease-causing microorganism.

What does the 'World Health Statistics' report include?

Mortality, life expectancy, and incidence/prevalence for various diseases.

What is the difference between 'incidence' and 'prevalence' in simple terms?

Incidence = new cases; prevalence = total cases at a given time.

What is the significance of labeling 'the woman with diabetes' rather than 'the diabetic'?

It emphasizes person-first language and holistic care.

What is the role of prevention in public health?

Reduce risk, detect disease early, and rehabilitate to prevent progression.