Nurs 3366: Pathophysiologic Processes Exam One Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering basic pathophysiology concepts, genetic disorders, fluid and electrolyte shifts, cellular injury, and cancer nomenclature of cancer based on the lecture notes.

Trisomy 21

Also known as Down's syndrome, this is a chromosomal aberration of number (polysomy) characterized by an extra chromosome at the 21st site with S&S such as mental retardation, low-set ears, epicanthic fold, short limbs, and a larger-than-normal tongue.

Philadelphia chromosome

A chromosomal aberration of structure involving translocation that leads to the development of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML).

Autosomal recessive disorder

A genetic disorder where a person must be homozygous recessive to have the disease; an example is sickle cell anemia, where mutated genes code for malfunctioning Hgb.

Sickle cell anemia

An autosomal recessive disease where mutated genes cause sickled RBCs that cannot carry $O_2$ well, leading to SOB and fatigue, and get stuck in capillaries, causing ischemic pain.

Autosomal dominant disorder

A genetic disorder where the abnormal allele is dominant; examples include PKD, where two dominant genotypes (homozygous dominant and heterozygous) can result in the disease phenotype.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

An autosomal dominant disorder where mutated genes lead to cyst development throughout kidney tissue, causing hematuria, proteinuria, pain, and kidney failure.

Glycogenesis

The metabolic process of glucose conversion used when there is an excess of glucose in the cell.

Glycogenolysis

The first 'back-up' plan used when glucose is unavailable, involving the breakdown of stored glycogen.

Gluconeogenesis

The second 'back-up' plan for glucose production, often using fatty acids, which can lead to ketones and ketoacidosis as seen in Type I diabetes.

McCardle’s disease

A glycogen storage disease where the body cannot use glycogenolysis as a back-up plan, resulting in exercise intolerance.

Wernicke Korsakoff

A type of beriberi associated with alcoholism and a lack of thiamine, resulting in memory problems and paresthesia.

Metabolic Acidosis

A state with $pH < 7.35$ and low $HCO_3$ caused by H+ accumulation or HCO3 loss (e.g., kidney failure, DKA); compensated by the lungs via hyperventilation to exhale $CO_2$.

Respiratory Acidosis

A state with $pH < 7.35$ and normal $HCO_3$ caused by $CO_2$ retention; compensated by the kidneys by making more $HCO_3$ or excreting more H+.

Hypopolarization

A state where the Resting Membrane Potential (RMP) changes from $-90\text{\,mV}$ to a more positive state, shortening the polar gap and causing hyperresponsiveness (e.g., muscle spasms, twitching, tetany).

Hyperpolarization

A state where the RMP changes from $-90\text{\,mV}$ to a less positive state, lengthening the polar gap and causing hyporesponsiveness (e.g., sluggishness, bradycardia, mental slowness).

Chvostek’s sign

A positive clinical finding associated with hypocalcemia and the resulting hypopolarized state of the cell.

Osmolality

The concentration of solutes in a solution; high osmolality means a greater concentration of solutes compared to water.

Osmosis

The movement of water from an area of low concentration to an area of higher concentration, following the rule 'concentration calls.'

Serum osmolality

The normal concentration of solutes in the plasma space, typically ranging from $280$ to $295$.

Oncotic pressure

A type of osmotic pressure specifically exerted by proteins in the blood.

Kwashiorkor

A condition of protein malnutrition leading to hypoproteinemia, decreased blood concentration, and B to T fluid shifts (edema).

SIADH

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone, where too much water is retained, making the plasma space hypoosmolar and leading to edema.

Diabetes Insipidus (DI)

A fluid deficit state related to alterations in antidiuretic hormone, often included in the study of fluid and electrolyte shifts.

Apoptosis

Normal, programmed cellular age-related death.

Necrosis

Pathologic cellular death caused by injury.

Ischemia

A cause of hypoxia resulting from a reduction in arterial blood flow, which can lead to infarction if not treated.

Infarction

Cell death caused by lack of blood supply, such as the development of decubiti (pressure ulcers) from immobility.

Carboxyhemoglobin (HgCO)

A compound created when carbon monoxide (CO) attaches to hemoglobin, which it does easily due to having a higher affinity for CO than $O_2$.

Free radicals

Highly unstable atoms with an unpaired electron that snatch electrons from other molecules, causing lipid peroxidation and DNA damage; an example is superoxide.

Superoxide dismutase

A special enzyme produced by the body to counteract the destructive chain reactions caused by free radicals.

Gout

A disorder caused by an accumulation of uric acid (urates) in the joints, occurring when the body cannot appropriately process purines.

Oncogene

A mutated gene that sets cancer into motion, promoting clonal proliferation and anaplasia.

Anaplasia

The loss of cellular differentiation, which is a key characteristic of malignant cells.

Angiogenesis

The process by which rapidly growing cancer cells develop their own blood supply by stealing from the host.

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)

A tumor marker found at higher levels in the blood that can point toward the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

TNM staging

A system used to stage cancer where T stands for size, N for node involvement, and M for metastasis.

Atrophy

A cellular adaptation involving a decrease in the size of cells.

Hypertrophy

A cellular adaptation involving an increase in the size of cells.

Hyperplasia

A cellular adaptation involving an increase in the number of cells.

Metaplasia

A cellular adaptation where one mature cell type is replaced by another mature cell type.

Dysplasia

A cellular adaptation involving abnormal changes in the size, shape, and organization of mature cells.