Patho exam 3 pt 2

Normal Flora

Microorganisms that reside in the body without causing disease under normal circumstances and help prevent pathogenic colonization.

Pathogenicity

The ability of an organism to cause disease, influenced by virulence and infectivity.

Types of Pathogens

Includes bacteria, viruses, and fungi,

Communicable Diseases

Diseases that can be transmitted from one individual to another, often through contact, such as influenza and tuberculosis.

Universal Precautions

Guidelines to prevent infection transmission, emphasizing hand hygiene and personal protective equipment.

Chain of Infection

A model that illustrates how infections spread, including infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Acute Infection Phases

Five phases of infection: incubation, prodromal, acute, decline, and convalescence.

Local vs Systemic Manifestations

Local manifestations are confined to a specific area, while systemic manifestations affect the entire body.

Septicemia

A severe complication of infection characterized by bacteria in the bloodstream leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Immunocompromised

Having a weakened immune system.

Laboratory Tests

Common tests to detect infection, including blood cultures, urinalysis, and imaging studies.

Neurons

The basic unit of the nervous system responsible for transmitting signals.

Afferent Neurons

Sensory neurons that carry information from body tissues toward the central nervous system.

Efferent Neurons

Motor neurons that carry signals away from the central nervous system to effector organs.

Action Potential

Involves resting membrane potential, depolarization, and repolarization, crucial for neuronal communication.

Neuronal Communication

How neurons send messages to each other using electrical signals and neurotransmitters.

Divisions of the Nervous System

Includes the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), each with distinct functions.

Blood-Brain Barrier

Protects the brain from harmful substances.

Cerebral Spinal Fluid

Cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Risk factors include falls and vehicle accidents, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Can lead to loss of function below the injury site and complications such as autonomic dysreflexia.

Autonomic Nervous System

Divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, regulating different bodily functions.

Neuro Assessment

Evaluates cranial nerves and neurological function.

Posturing in Brain Injury

Includes decorticate and decerebrate responses, indicating different levels of brain dysfunction.

Cerebral Palsy

A group of disorders affecting movement and muscle tone, often due to brain damage before or during birth.

Multiple Sclerosis

An autoimmune disease affecting the CNS, leading to various neurological symptoms.

Parkinson Disease

A progressive neurological disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia.

Neuronal Organization

Neurons can be organized in layers, where first-order neurons detect signals and third-order neurons carry the information to the brain.

Neurotransmission

The process by which neurons communicate, involving neurotransmitters and synaptic transmission.

Dermatomes

Areas of skin supplied by sensory fibers of a single spinal nerve root, important for diagnosing nerve injuries.

Definition of Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with tissue damage.

Types of Pain

Nociceptive pain arises from tissue injury; neuropathic pain results from nerve damage.

Pain Theories

Gate control theory suggests a system that controls pain signals; specificity theory posits specific pain signals convey intense pain.

Classification of Pain

Based on duration (acute vs chronic) and origin (somatic vs visceral).

Treatment Approaches

Include pharmacological methods like NSAIDs and opioids, and non-pharmacological methods like physical therapy.

Cellular Proliferation vs Differentiation

Proliferation refers to cell division, while differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized.

Causes of Cancer

Factors include genetic mutations, environmental exposures, and lifestyle choices.

Initiation-Promotion-Progression Theory

Describes how cancer develops in three main stages: initiation, promotion, and progression.

Benign vs Malignant Tumors

Benign tumors are non-cancerous and do not spread; malignant tumors invade surrounding tissues and can metastasize.

Cancer Classifications

Based on tissue of origin, including carcinomas, sarcomas, leukemias, and lymphomas.

Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Cancer

General manifestations include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and changes in appetite.

Treatment Modalities

Include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy.

Cancer Prevention Strategies

Emphasize smoking cessation, healthy diet, and regular screenings.