Medical-Surgical Nursing 2: Endocrine, Sensory, Nervous, and Musculoskeletal Systems

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the Endocrine, Sensory, Nervous, and Musculoskeletal units from the Competency Appraisal 2 Medical-Surgical Nursing lecture.

Hypophysectomy

The surgical removal of the pituitary gland.

Hyperpituitarism

The excessive secretion of one or more pituitary hormones, often causing conditions like acromegaly or Cushing's syndrome.

Adenohypophysis

Another name for the anterior pituitary gland, which produces hormones such as TSH, ACTH, MSH, FSH, LH, and growth hormone.

Neurohypophysis

Another name for the posterior pituitary gland, which stores antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion, a condition where the body produces too much ADH, leading to water intoxication and hyponatremia.

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

A rare disorder caused by a deficiency in, or resistance to, antidiuretic hormone (ADH), characterized by polyuria and polydipsia.

Triiodothyronine ($T_3$)

The active form of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland.

Calcitonin

A hormone that decreases blood $Ca^{++}$ level by inhibiting bone breakdown.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone that increases blood $Ca^{++}$ level by breaking down bone; it is secreted when blood calcium is low.

Grave’s Disorder

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Storm

A severe complication of hyperthyroidism, also known as a thyroid crisis.

Hashimoto’s Disease

A cause of hypothyroidism.

Myxedema

A clinical manifestation associated with hypothyroidism.

Agranulocytosis

A serious side effect of the antithyroid drug Propylthiouracil (PTU), characterized by decreased WBC and sore throat.

Tetany

A complication of thyroidectomy often treated with Calcium gluconate, usually caused by accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands.

Nephrolithiasis

The formation of kidney stones, a clinical manifestation of hyperparathyroidism due to high calcium levels.

Chvostek's sign

A clinical manifestation of hypoparathyroidism involving facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped.

Metformin

A medication that decreases hepatic glucose production, typically taken with meals for Type 2 diabetes.

Cushing’s Syndrome

A condition characterized by increased Cortisol, resulting in hypernatremia, hyperglycemia, moon-face, and a buffalo hump.

Addison’s Disease

A condition caused by decreased Cortisol, characterized by hyponatremia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, and bronze skin pigmentation.

Scleritis

Inflammation of the sclera, which is the white protective outer layer of the eye.

Uvea

The middle layer of the eye, rich in blood vessels, consisting of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.

Miosis

Pupil constriction, controlled by Cranial Nerve 3 (Oculomotor).

Tonometer

An instrument used to measure intraocular pressure (IOP), with a normal range of $10-21\,mmHg$.

Glaucoma

A condition caused by an imbalance between aqueous humor production and drainage, leading to increased IOP and "tunnel vision."

Aphakia

The surgical absence of the lens of the eye.

Phacoemulsification

A cataract treatment where ultrasound vibrations break the lens into fragments for removal.

Cycloplegic eyedrops

Medication used preoperatively in eye surgery to paralyze the ciliary muscles.

Pneumatic retinopexy

A treatment for retinal detachment involving the injection of a gas bubble or silicone oil into the vitreous.

Presbycusis

Sensorineural hearing loss associated with the aging process.

Weber’s Test

A tuning fork test used to detect unilateral hearing loss.

Meniere's Disease

An inner ear disorder characterized by increased endolymphatic fluid, vertigo, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss.

Monro-Kellie Hypothesis

The theory stating that an alteration in the volume of one skull content (brain, blood, or CSF) causes a compensatory change in the volume of the others.

Cushing's Triad

A set of clinical signs indicating increased ICP: hypertension, bradycardia, and wide pulse pressure.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

Widespread damage to axons in the brain, often resulting in immediate coma and decorticate or decerebrate posturing.

Decerebrate Posturing

A manifestation of brain injury characterized by extension of both upper and lower extremities.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurologic movement disorder caused by basal ganglia destruction, resulting in decreased dopamine and symptoms like pill-rolling tremors and shuffling gait.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disorder characterized by decreased ACh receptors at the myoneural junction, leading to muscle weakness and descending paralysis.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune disease where sensitized T cells attack the myelin sheath in the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Guillain-Barré Syndrome

An autoimmune attack on peripheral myelin leading to ascending paralysis, often following an antecedent event by about 2 weeks.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, a condition involving the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem.

Autonomic Dysreflexia

A life-threatening emergency in spinal cord injury patients (above T6) characterized by severe hypertension and pounding headache, triggered by stimuli like a distended bladder.

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

A warning sign of CVA involving temporary neural loss lasting less than or equal to 1 hour.

Apraxia

The inability to perform a previously learned action, often seen in stroke patients.

Compartment Syndrome

A condition where increased pressure within a confined space compromises circulation, identified by the "6 Ps": Pain, Paresthesia, Pulselessness, Pallor, Poikilothermic, and Paralysis.

Buck's Traction

A type of skin traction used for the lower extremities.

Osteomyelitis

A severe infection of the bone, frequently caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Osteoclasts

Cells that function as "bone breakers," resorbing bone and releasing calcium into the blood.

Kyphosis

An abnormal outward curvature of the spine, often a long-term result of untreated osteoporosis.

Phalen's Test

A diagnostic test for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome involving wrist flexion to elicit paresthesia in the median nerve distribution.

Podagra

Severe, acute gout inflammation specifically in the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe.

Fat Embolism Syndrome (FES)

A complication of fractures characterized by petechiae on the chest, hypotension, tachycardia, and respiratory failure.