Nursing 3366 Pathologic Processes - Module 1 Key Concepts

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from Module 1 lecture notes for Nursing 3366 Pathologic Processes.

Physiology

The study of functions and processes that occur in the body, mostly focusing on normal processes.

Pathophysiology

The study of the underlying changes in body physiology that result from disease or injury.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of constant conditions in the body's internal environment.

Compensation

The return to homeostasis after being challenged by a stressor, achieved through control or compensatory mechanisms.

Decompensation

The failure to compensate, adapt, or heal when the body's control mechanisms are exhausted or unable to meet challenges.

Disease

A harmful condition of the body and/or mind that causes a disturbance in homeostasis.

Disorder

A disturbance in the healthiness of the body.

Syndrome

A collection of signs and symptoms.

Risk factors

Factors that contribute to and/or increase the probability that a disease will occur.

Precipitating factor

A condition or event that triggers a pathologic event or disorder.

Etiology

The cause of a disease, including all factors that contribute to its development.

Idiopathic

Refers to a disease with an unidentifiable cause.

Iatrogenic problem

A problem or condition that occurs as a direct result of medical treatment.

Nosocomial problems

Problems or infections that result as a consequence of being in a hospital environment.

Clinical manifestations

The demonstration of the presence of signs and/or symptoms of a disease.

Signs

Manifestations of a disease that can be objectively identified by a trained observer.

Symptoms

Subjective manifestations of a disease that can only be reported by the person experiencing them, such as pain, nausea, or fatigue.

Local S&S

Signs and symptoms confined to a specific, localized area, such as redness, swelling, heat, rash, or lymphadenopathy.

Systemic S&S

Signs and symptoms occurring throughout the body, such as fever, urticaria, malaise, or systemic lymphadenopathy.

Acute S&S

Fairly rapid appearance of signs and symptoms over a day to several days that usually last a short time, or an increase in severity.

Chronic S&S

Signs and symptoms that develop more slowly, are often insidious, and last longer or wax and wane over months or years.

Remissions

Periods during a chronic disease when signs and symptoms disappear or diminish significantly.

Exacerbations

Periods during a chronic disease when signs and symptoms become worse or more severe.

Central

Refers to a problem or location occurring towards the center or core of the body, specifically essential organ systems like the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Peripheral

Refers to a problem or location occurring towards the outer parts of the body away from the core, mainly involving the arms and legs.

Proximal

Situated closer to the core or central part of the body.

Distal

Situated further away from the core or central part of the body.

Prognosis

The predicted outcome of a disease based on the usual course of the disease and individual characteristics.

Comorbidities

The presence of two or more coexisting medical conditions in an individual.

Sequela

Any abnormal condition or complication that follows and is the result of a disease, injury, or medical treatment.

Gene

A segment of a DNA molecule composed of an ordered sequence of nucleotide bases that codes for the synthesis of proteins.

Chromosome

A rod-shaped structure in the nucleus of cells composed of a DNA molecule containing genes.

Alleles

A pair of partner genes located at the same locus on autosomal chromosomes that code for the same trait.

Genotype

The overall genetic composition or specific set of alleles inherited by an individual.

Phenotype

An individual's observable anatomical, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics determined by genes and environment.

Genetic disorders

Diseases caused by abnormalities in an individual's genetic material.

Multifactorial genetic disorders

Disorders resulting from a combination of environmental triggers, gene mutations, and inherited tendencies.

Teratogen

Any influence, such as drugs, radiation, or viruses, that can cause congenital defects during fetal development.

Congenital defects

Abnormalities that are detectable at birth or attributed to fetal development glitches.

Chromosomal disorders

Type of genetic disorder resulting from alterations to the numbers or structure of a chromosome.

Trisomy 21

A chromosomal disorder (Down's syndrome) caused by an extra 21st chromosome, resulting in a total of $47$ chromosomes.

Sickle cell anemia

An autosomal recessive disorder where mutated recessive alleles code for abnormal Hgb, resulting in sickled RBCs, anemia, and tissue ischemia.

Carrier

An individual with a heterozygous genotype for an autosomal recessive disorder who carries the gene without expressing the full disease phenotype.

Ischemia

Tissue hypoxia resulting from a circulatory malfunction.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

An autosomal dominant disorder where a mutated dominant gene causes kidney tissue to develop cysts, leading to reduced function and potential failure.

Recombinant DNA

DNA formed by deliberately combining DNA from two or more different sources for medical or scientific engineering.

Hypoxia

A decrease in the amount of oxygen available to cells or an inability to use oxygen appropriately.

Glycogenesis

The process driven by insulin where excess blood glucose is converted and stored as glycogen in the liver.

Glycogenolysis

The breakdown of stored glycogen into glucose triggered by counterregulatory hormones during hypoglycemia.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic process of breaking down fats and proteins for cellular energy when glucose and glycogen are exhausted.

McArdle's disease

An autosomal recessive disease in which the normal ability to break down glycogen via glycogenolysis is diminished.

Beriberi

A disease state caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, leading to severe neurological problems.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

A cluster of neurological signs and symptoms associated with alcoholism and thiamine deficiency, characterized by memory loss and ataxia.

Paresthesia

An abnormal neurological sensation commonly described as numbness, tingling, or 'pins and needles'.

Solutes

Particles such as electrolytes and protein molecules dissolved in body fluids.

Hypopolarization

A state in which the resting membrane potential of cells is reset to a MORE positive number, shortening the polar gap and increasing cell sensitivity and irritability.

Hyperpolarization

A state in which the resting membrane potential of cells is reset to a LESS positive number, lengthening the polar gap and decreasing cell sensitivity.

Metabolic acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a blood $pH < 7.35$ and low $HCO_3$, caused by metabolic acid accumulation, loss of bicarbonate, or kidney failure.

Respiratory acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a blood $pH < 7.35$ caused by poor ventilation and retention of $CO_2$.

Metabolic alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a blood $pH > 7.45$ and high $HCO_3$, caused by excess bicarbonate accumulation or loss of acids.

Respiratory alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a blood $pH > 7.45$ caused by hyperventilation resulting in excessive loss of $CO_2$.