Patho exam 1

Pathophysiology

The science that studies the process of a disease or abnormal events affecting cells, tissues, organs, or the entire body.

Pathology

Investigates changes in the body to help identify causes of disease through methods like biopsy, autopsy, and immunological methods.

Etiology

The study of the cause of disease.

Acute Disease

Characterized by rapid onset and a brief course; examples include the common cold and influenza.

Chronic Disease

Characterized by slow onset and a long course; examples include HIV/AIDS and chronic kidney disease.

Clinical Manifestation

Another term for signs and symptoms of a disease.

Sign

Alterations observed or measured objectively by another person, such as pulse or body temperature.

Symptom

Subjective experience reported by the patient, such as pain or nausea.

Nosocomial Infection

An infection contracted at a hospital or healthcare facility, such as MRSA.

Idiopathic Disease

A disease with an unknown cause, like juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Iatrogenic Disease

Diseases associated with treatment or medical errors, such as aspirin-induced peptic ulcer.

Teratogenic Disease

Diseases caused by microorganisms or chemicals that cause damage to the fetus, like Zika virus causing microcephaly.

Edema

Abnormal accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces.

Hyponatremia

A condition with plasma sodium concentration less than 135 mEq/L, causing cellular swelling.

Hypernatremia

A condition with plasma sodium concentration above 145 mEq/L, causing cellular dehydration.

Hypokalemia

A condition where plasma potassium levels decrease below 3.5 mEq/L.

Hyperkalemia

A condition where plasma potassium levels increase above 5.5 mEq/L.

Hypocalcemia

A condition where plasma calcium levels drop below 9 mg/dL.

Hypercalcemia

A condition where plasma calcium levels exceed 10.5 mg/dL.

Acidosis

A condition in which plasma pH drops below 7.35.

Alkalosis

A condition in which plasma pH rises above 7.45.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition characterized by excessive urine output due to inadequate secretion of ADH.

SIADH

Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion, leading to water retention and low plasma osmolarity.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

A hormone that opposes the effects of RAAS by promoting sodium excretion to lower blood pressure.

Starling Forces

The forces that determine the direction of fluid movement across capillary membranes.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

Thirst Mechanism

The physiological drive to drink water, activated by increased blood osmolarity or decreased blood volume.

Acute Fluid Loss (Hypovolemia)

A life-threatening condition caused by significant fluid loss leading to low blood volume.

Hypervolemia

An excess of fluid in the body, often due to renal failure or excessive fluid intake.

Pitting Edema

A type of edema where pressing on the swollen area leaves an indentation.

Non-Pitting Edema

A type of edema where pressing on the swollen area does not leave an indentation.

Bicarbonate Buffer System

A system that helps maintain pH balance by tying up excess H+ in acidosis and replenishing H+ in alkalosis.

Metabolic Acidosis

A condition characterized by increased production of metabolic acids or bicarbonate loss.

Respiratory Acidosis

A condition caused by respiratory failure that leads to increased CO2 and reduced pH.

Respiratory Alkalosis

A condition resulting from hyperventilation that leads to decreased CO2 and increased pH.

Normal Sodium Levels

The plasma sodium levels normally range between 135-145 mEq/L.

Normal Potassium Range

The normal range for plasma potassium levels is 3.5-5.5 mEq/L.

Normal Calcium Levels

The normal range for plasma calcium levels is 9-10.5 mg/dL.