Adult Health Final Review – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering major neurologic, gastrointestinal, renal, cardiac, endocrine, hematologic/oncologic, and general nursing concepts featured in the comprehensive Adult Health lecture notes.

Seizure Precautions

Safety measures such as lowering patient to floor, removing hazards, loosening clothing, placing in left-lateral position, padding bed rails, and keeping objects out of the mouth.

Ischemic Stroke

Brain infarction caused by thrombotic or embolic blockage of a cerebral artery; candidate for thrombolytics once hemorrhage is ruled out.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Stroke due to rupture of an intracranial vessel; hallmark presentation is an abrupt, severe 'worst headache ever.'

Stroke Shared Risk Factors

Hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, valvular disease, myocardial infarction, and aneurysm.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

'Mini-stroke' with transient neurologic deficits; 30 % progress to full stroke within a year if untreated.

FAST Screening

Facial droop, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call EMS—rapid assessment tool for stroke.

Primary Headache

Headache in which the headache itself is the disorder—e.g., migraine, cluster, tension-type.

Secondary Headache

Head pain that occurs as a symptom of another pathology such as trauma, infection, or increased ICP.

Tension-Type Headache

Mild-to-moderate bilateral 'band-like' pressure often linked to stress or poor posture.

Cluster Headache

Severe unilateral retro-orbital pain with lacrimation, nasal congestion, and eyelid edema.

Migraine Phases

Prodrome, Aura, Headache, Post-drome (fatigue/cognitive fog).

Parkinson’s Disease

Neurodegenerative disorder marked by dopamine depletion and classic triad of resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Substantia Nigra

Midbrain area whose degeneration leads to dopamine loss in Parkinson’s disease.

Lewy Bodies

Intraneuronal protein inclusions characteristic of Parkinson’s pathology.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Demyelination of peripheral nerves causing pain, paresthesia, and weakness; common in diabetes and B12 deficiency.

Gabapentin

Anticonvulsant frequently prescribed for neuropathic pain management.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Backflow of stomach acid into esophagus causing heartburn; risk factors include obesity, hiatal hernia, smoking.

Barrett’s Esophagus

Precancerous metaplasia of esophageal lining secondary to chronic GERD.

Ulcerative Colitis

Chronic inflammatory bowel disease limited to colon mucosa with ulcer formation; diagnosed via colonoscopy with biopsy.

Colon Cancer Screening Age

Recommended for average-risk adults ages 45–75 via colonoscopy, FIT, or other modalities.

Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)

Erosion of gastric, esophageal, or duodenal mucosa by acid/pepsin; often linked to H. pylori or NSAIDs.

Helicobacter pylori

Bacterium that colonizes gastric mucosa and contributes to peptic ulcer formation.

Nasogastric (NG) Tube

Flexible tube passed through nose into stomach for feeding, decompression, or lavage; placement verified by X-ray.

Hiatal Hernia

Protrusion of stomach through diaphragmatic hiatus causing heartburn and dysphagia.

Colostomy Stoma Care

Clean with warm water, dry thoroughly, monitor color (pink-to-red), and protect peristomal skin with barrier products.

Oral Cancer Risk Factors

Tobacco (all forms), alcohol, HPV infection, and prior head-neck malignancy.

Tracheostomy Bedside Equipment

Suction setup, bag-valve-mask, spare trach tubes (same and smaller size), and securing ties.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ) Contents

Liver, gallbladder, right kidney.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ) Contents

Descending & sigmoid colon, small intestine, left ovary.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate; staged 1–5 based on GFR levels.

Stage 5 CKD

End-stage renal disease with GFR <15 mL/min; dialysis required.

Hemodialysis (HD)

Extracorporeal blood filtration through a dialysis machine to remove waste and excess fluid.

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

Dialysis using the peritoneal membrane as filter via instillation and drainage of dialysate.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Genetic disorder with kidney cysts leading to hypertension and renal failure.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of pancreas presenting with severe epigastric pain and elevated amylase/lipase.

Aminoglycosides

Antibiotic class (e.g., gentamicin) known for nephrotoxicity risk.

Amphotericin B

Potent antifungal agent with significant nephrotoxic potential.

Cisplatin

Chemotherapy drug highly associated with kidney damage.

Hepatitis A

Fecal-oral viral hepatitis often from contaminated water; low mortality; vaccine available.

Hepatitis B

Blood/sexual transmission; risk of chronic disease and hepatocellular carcinoma; preventable by vaccine.

Hepatitis C

Bloodborne virus commonly from needle sharing; high risk for chronic liver disease and cancer.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

Normal 7–20 mg/dL; elevated levels indicate impaired renal function or dehydration.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

Normal ≥90 mL/min; key measure of kidney function.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Bacterial infection of urinary tract—most commonly E. coli—manifesting with dysuria and frequency.

Phenazopyridine

Urinary analgesic used for dysuria relief; colors urine orange.

Renal Calculi

Kidney stones formed from mineral deposits causing severe flank pain; management may include ESWL.

Normal Sinus Rhythm

Heart rhythm 60–100 bpm with each P wave followed by a QRS and upright T wave.

Sinus Bradycardia

Heart rate <60 bpm with normal conduction; treat with atropine if symptomatic.

Sinus Tachycardia

Heart rate >100 bpm; treat underlying cause, beta-blockers, or adenosine if unstable.

Premature Ventricular Contraction (PVC)

Early ventricular beat; may require beta-blockers or amiodarone if symptomatic.

First-Degree AV Block

Prolonged PR interval (>0.20 s) without dropped beats; usually benign.

Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib)

Irregularly irregular rhythm with absent P waves; requires rate control and anticoagulation.

Atrial Flutter

Sawtooth atrial waves with fixed conduction ratio; managed with beta-blockers or cardioversion.

Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

Narrow-complex tachycardia; initial treatment is vagal maneuvers then rapid IV adenosine.

Ventricular Tachycardia (V-tach)

Fast, wide-complex rhythm; pulseless form requires immediate defibrillation.

Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib)

Chaotic ventricular activity with no pulse; treat with CPR and defibrillation.

Heart Failure (HF)

Inability of heart to meet metabolic demands; classified by left-sided vs right-sided or NYHA classes I-IV.

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

Hormone elevated in heart failure; higher values correlate with severity.

Myocardial Infarction (MI)

Death of myocardium from ischemia; STEMI shows ST elevation, NSTEMI shows troponin rise without ST elevation.

Troponin I

Cardiac enzyme rising within 4 h of MI, peaking at 24–48 h.

CK-MB

Enzyme specific to cardiac muscle; peaks around 24 h post-MI.

Hyperlipidemia

Elevated blood lipids; treated with diet, exercise, and statins or PCSK9 inhibitors.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of pericardial sac causing chest pain and pericardial friction rub; ECG shows diffuse ST elevation and PR depression.

Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)

Noninvasive test comparing ankle to brachial pressures to diagnose peripheral artery disease.

Six P’s of Acute Limb Ischemia

Pain, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paresthesia, Paralysis, Poikilothermia.

Post-Cardiac Catheterization Care

Monitor insertion site, keep limb straight, assess pulses, and watch for bleeding for 4–6 h (groin) or per protocol (radial site).

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leading to absolute insulin deficiency.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Type 1 diabetic emergency with hyperglycemia ≥250 mg/dL, ketones, and metabolic acidosis.

Rapid-Acting Insulin

Onset 10–30 min; examples include lispro and aspart.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency; managed with lifestyle changes and oral agents.

Hemoglobin A1C Goal

Most adults with diabetes aim for <7 % to reduce complications.

Hypothyroidism

Underactive thyroid causing fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance; treated with levothyroxine.

Myxedema Coma

Severe, life-threatening hypothyroid state requiring IV Synthroid and supportive care.

Levothyroxine Administration

Take orally once daily 30–60 min before breakfast; avoid calcium/iron within 4 hours.

Hyperthyroidism

Excess thyroid hormone leading to weight loss, tachycardia, heat intolerance.

Thyroid Storm

Acute severe hyperthyroid crisis with high fever and tachyarrhythmias; emergency treatment with PTU, beta-blockers, cooling.

Methimazole

Antithyroid drug that inhibits synthesis of thyroid hormones; monitor for agranulocytosis.

Propylthiouracil (PTU)

Blocks peripheral conversion of T4 to T3; used in thyroid storm and first trimester pregnancy.

Radioactive Iodine Therapy Precautions

Avoid close contact with children, separate toilet use, flush triple, disposable utensils for ~2 weeks post-treatment.

Addison’s Disease

Primary adrenal insufficiency causing hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, and bronze skin.

Addisonian Crisis

Acute adrenal failure with severe hypotension; treat with IV steroids and fluids.

Graves’ Disease

Autoimmune cause of hyperthyroidism characterized by goiter and exophthalmos.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Excess cortisol producing moon face, buffalo hump, hyperglycemia, and hypertension.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Clot in deep vein manifesting as unilateral leg swelling, pain, warmth; treated with anticoagulants.

Bridging Therapy

Temporary use of heparin or DOAC when warfarin is held for surgery to prevent thrombosis.

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Anemia from insufficient iron; treated with oral ferrous sulfate on empty stomach with vitamin C.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia

Low cobalamin causing megaloblastic anemia and neuropathy; treat with IM B12 injections if pernicious.

Sickle-Cell Disease

Autosomal-recessive hemoglobinopathy with vaso-occlusive crises and chronic anemia.

Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

Life-threatening reaction to incompatible blood; stop transfusion immediately and flush with saline.

Febrile Non-Hemolytic Reaction

Fever/chills from donor leukocytes; prevent with leukocyte-reduced blood products.

Leukocyte-Reduction Filter

Tubing filter that removes white cells to decrease febrile transfusion reactions.

Radiation Therapy – Acute Side Effects

Fatigue, skin erythema, nausea, and site-specific mucositis occurring during treatment.

Radiation Therapy – Chronic Side Effects

Fibrosis, lymphedema, secondary cancers, and infertility months to years after therapy.

Tamoxifen

Selective estrogen receptor modulator used for ER-positive breast cancer; monitor for thromboembolism and endometrial cancer.

Mammogram

X-ray screening for breast cancer recommended every 1–2 years for women 40–74.

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic exam of colon every 10 years (or sooner if high risk) starting at age 45.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

Blood test for prostate cancer screening; shared decision-making for men 50–69.

Low-Dose CT Scan

Annual lung cancer screening for adults 50–80 with ≥20 pack-year smoking history.

Cluster Headache Triggers

Stress, allergens, environmental toxins, tobacco, and alcohol.

Post-Drome (Migraine)

'Hangover' phase characterized by fatigue and cognitive fog after migraine pain subsides.