cna state exam

What are the three components of the cardiovascular system?

Blood, blood vessels, and heart.

What is plasma?

The liquid part of blood, consisting of 90% water.

What are the three types of blood cells?

Erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes.

Where are blood cells produced?

Blood cells are made in red bone marrow.

What protein in red blood cells transports oxygen?

Hemoglobin.

What is the function of leukocytes?

To fight off infection.

Define phagocytosis.

The process of surrounding pathogens to 'eat' them.

What happens to leukocyte production during an infection?

It increases in production.

What do thrombocytes do in response to injury?

They stick together to form a clot.

What protein in the blood aids in clot formation?

Fibrinogen.

What is hemostasis?

The process that stops the loss of blood.

What is the key difference between arteries and veins?

Arteries carry blood away from the heart, while veins carry blood to the heart and have valves.

Why do veins contain valves?

To help return blood to the heart.

What are capillaries, and what do they connect?

Capillaries connect arterioles (smallest arteries) and venules (smallest veins).

What is the main function of the lymphatic system?

To return fluid from tissues back to the bloodstream.

What is lymph?

Fluid found in the lymph vessels.

What is the role of lymph nodes?

To filter or clean the fluid in the body.

Name other organs that are part of the lymphatic system.

Thymus, spleen, tonsils.

What are the three layers of the heart wall from innermost to outermost?

Endocardium, myocardium, epicardium.

What is the pericardium?

A double-walled sac containing the heart.

How many chambers are in the heart, and what are they called?

There are 2 atria and 2 ventricles.

What is the function of heart valves?

To prevent backflow of blood.

What is the SA node commonly known as?

The pacemaker of the heart.

How does the heart obtain nutrients and remove waste?

Through coronary circulation.

What is ischemia?

A lack of oxygen to tissues.

What are the two phases of the cardiac cycle?

Systole and diastole.

List three functions of the cardiovascular system.

Transporting blood, pumping the heart, and temperature regulation.

List three effects of aging on the cardiovascular system.

Diet and lifestyle effects, less efficient heart contraction, and decreased elasticity of vessels.

Name four of 'Life's Simple 7' habits to prevent heart disease.

Managing blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, reducing blood sugar, and getting active.

What blood cells are affected in anemia, and how does it impact patients?

RBCs are affected, decreasing the ability to transport oxygen.

What blood cells are affected in leukemia?

WBCs are affected, leading to excessive production of abnormal WBCs.

Define thrombus and embolus.

Thrombus is a clot; embolus is a clot that travels to another location.

Why might someone take anticoagulants?

To stop blood clots.

What two factors can lead to insufficient clotting?

Lack of fibrinogen and low platelet count.

What signs should be reported for patients on anticoagulants?

Signs of bruising/bleeding, bleeding from any body part, and blood in urine or stool.

What is atherosclerosis?

Blockage of arteries due to plaque (fat) buildup.

List three conditions caused by atherosclerosis.

Myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Identify four risk factors for atherosclerosis.

High cholesterol, lack of exercise, smoking, and diabetes.

What is venous thrombosis?

The presence of blood clots in veins.

What are varicose veins?

Pooling of blood in veins.

What is phlebitis?

Inflammation of a blood vessel wall, with symptoms of pooling blood, warmth, and pain.

Name two treatments for venous disorders.

Leg exercises and TED stockings.

What is coronary artery disease?

Narrowing of the arteries leading to insufficient oxygen supply to the myocardium.

What is angina pectoris?

Pain caused by inadequate oxygen to the myocardium.

What is a myocardial infarction?

A heart attack, where part of the myocardium dies.

What is heart failure?

The inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.

What are dysrhythmias?

Electrical impulses causing poor heart contractions, often treated with a pacemaker.

What is anatomy the study of?

The structure and organization of body parts, including their appearance, size, location, and connections to each other.

What is physiology the study of?

How body parts function and work together.

What can happen when a person's normal anatomy or physiology changes?

It can lead to diseases or disabilities.

What is the basic unit of life?

Cells, which can be observed under a microscope.

What four things does a cell require to survive?

Oxygen, water, nutrition, and the ability to eliminate waste products.

What are the four things a cell is capable of doing?

Organization, metabolism, growth, and reproduction.

What are the four main types of tissue?

Epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue, and nervous tissue.

What is the main function of epithelial tissue?

Protection.

List three locations in the body where epithelial tissue is found.

Digestive tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and reproductive tract.

What two main functions does connective tissue perform?

Connects other tissues together and supports and forms the framework for the body parts.

List 4-5 examples of connective tissue.

Bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and fatty tissues.

What is the function of cardiac muscle, and is it voluntary or involuntary?

It pumps blood throughout the body and is involuntary.

What is the function of skeletal muscle, and is it voluntary or involuntary?

It allows for movement of the body and is voluntary.

Where is smooth muscle found, and is it voluntary or involuntary?

In the walls of blood vessels, stomach, intestines, bladder, and other hollow organs; it is involuntary.

What is the main function of nervous tissue?

Conducts information.

How do nerves and the brain work together?

Nerves carry information to the brain for processing, and the brain sends commands back to the body through the nerves.

What does the word 'homeostasis' mean?

Staying similar or maintaining stable internal conditions.

When does disease occur, according to the concept of homeostasis?

When the structure or function of an organ (or organ system) is abnormal.

What is the difference between an acute disease and a chronic disease?

Acute: Sudden onset, short duration; Chronic: Lifelong.

What causes infectious diseases?

Pathogens.

What is a degenerative disease? Give two examples.

A disease where body tissue wears out, for example, arthritis and muscular dystrophy.

List three possible causes of a degenerative disease.

Can be inherited, caused by infection or injury, or aging; sometimes the cause is unknown.

List three ways a person’s diet can lead to a nutritional disorder.

Eating too much of one nutrient, lacking certain nutrients, or consuming too many calories.

What is an example of a nutritional disorder?

Obesity.

What are the two possible causes of a metabolic (endocrine) disorder?

Inability to metabolize or absorb certain nutrients; secretion of too much or too little of a hormone.

What is an example of a metabolic disorder?

Diabetes mellitus.

What are the two ways an immune disorder can change the immune system's behavior?

Reduces ability to fight off infections or causes the immune system to attack its own tissues.

Give one example of an immune disorder that reduces the immune system's ability to fight infection, and one example of an autoimmune disorder.

AIDS (immune deficiency); MS (Multiple Sclerosis) as an autoimmune disorder.

What are psychiatric disorders? Provide one example.

Conditions affecting mental health; example: Depression.

List the seven risk factors for disease.

Age, sex, heredity, lifestyle, occupation, chronic diseases, emotional health.

What is the major function of the integumentary system?

Cover and protect the body.

What does jaundice look like, and what does it indicate?

It appears yellow and indicates liver damage.

What do pallor, flushing, and cyanosis each look like?

Pallor is pale, flushing is red, and cyanosis is blue.

Where is the epidermis thickest, and where is it very thin?

Thickest at palms of the hands and soles of the feet; very thin at eyelids and genital areas.

Why doesn't the epidermis bleed when scraped lightly?

Because there are no blood vessels in the epidermis.

What two things does the deep layer of the epidermis produce?

Keratin and melanin.

What does keratin do to skin cells?

Thickens the cells and makes them resistant to water.

What is melanin, and what two things does it do?

A dark pigment that gives skin, hair, and eye color.

What type of tissue makes up the dermis, and why does this matter?

Connective tissue that allows it to stretch and move without damage.

What layer of fat does the dermis rest on?

Subcutaneous tissue.

What three sensations do the sensory receptors in the dermis allow us to feel?

Pressure, pain, and temperature.

What three accessory structures are found in the dermis?

Hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands.

What is sebum, and what three things does it do for the skin?

Sebum moisturizes, protects against bacteria, and helps maintain skin elasticity.

Where are eccrine glands found, and what do they produce?

Found in skin that covers most of our bodies; they produce a thin, watery liquid containing salt.

Where are apocrine glands found, and what are they responsible for producing?

Found in armpits (axillae) and perineum; they produce a thicker substance associated with body odor.

At what life stage do apocrine glands become active, and what happens to them with age?

They become active at puberty.

Where on the body is hair not found?

On the soles of the feet and palms of the hands.

What gives hair its color, and how does the amount relate to hair color?

Melanin; blonde hair has less melanin than black or brown hair.

What is the body's first line of defense against harmful microbes?

Intact skin.

Describe what happens to blood vessels in the dermis when a person gets warm, and how this lowers body temperature.

The blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin and promoting heat loss.

Describe what happens to blood vessels in the dermis when a person gets cold, and how this conserves body heat.

The blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow and conserving body heat.

What causes wrinkles to form as a person ages?

Decreased collagen production.

What causes gray hair, and what causes age spots?

Gray hair results from decreased melanin production; age spots result from increased melanin due to sun exposure.