Pain, Immunity, Inflammation, Thermoregulation, Oxygenation & Infections – Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of Q&A flashcards covering pain mechanisms, infection/immunity/inflammation, thermoregulation, oxygenation, and common pulmonary conditions from the lecture notes.

What populations have special pain needs?

Infants/children, elderly, cognitively impaired, non-verbal patients, cultural considerations, and chronic illness patients.

Which populations are at risk for under-treatment of pain?

Non-verbal individuals, racial/ethnic minorities, children, and the elderly.

What is the Withdrawal Reflex?

An automatic spinal reflex to a painful stimulus.

List some physiological consequences of pain.

Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate; sleep disturbance; hormonal imbalance; delayed healing; immune suppression.

Define nociceptive pain.

Pain caused by damage to body tissue (e.g., cut, fracture).

Define neuropathic pain.

Pain due to nerve damage (e.g., diabetic neuropathy).

What is phantom limb pain?

Pain in an amputated limb.

What is breakthrough pain?

A sudden flare of pain in someone with chronic pain.

What happens in transduction of nociceptive pain?

Stimuli are converted to nerve signals.

What happens in transmission of nociceptive pain?

The signal is carried to the brain.

What happens in perception of pain?

The brain recognizes pain.

What happens in modulation of pain?

The brain sends inhibitory signals to suppress pain.

What are the gatekeepers of signal transmission in pain?

Ion channels (Na+, K+, Ca2+) regulate transmission.

What is peripheral sensitization?

Increased responsiveness of peripheral nociceptors to stimuli.

What is central sensitization?

Increased responsiveness of central nervous system neurons to stimuli.

What is allodynia?

Pain from a non-painful stimulus.

What is hyperalgesia?

Increased pain sensitivity to a painful stimulus.

What is neuroplasticity?

Long-term changes in neurons that affect pain processing.

How are acute and chronic pain classified?

Acute: sudden onset; Chronic: long-lasting.

Describe somatic pain.

Superficial (skin) or deep (muscles, bones) pain.

Describe visceral pain.

Pain from internal organs.

What is referred pain?

Pain felt in a location distant from the origin.

What are the clinical manifestations of acute pain?

Elevated vital signs, anxiety, grimacing.

What are the clinical manifestations of chronic pain?

Fatigue, depression, impaired activities of daily living.

List risk factors for peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetes, infection, toxins, alcohol use.

Differentiate mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy.

Mononeuropathy affects one nerve; polyneuropathy affects multiple nerves.

Define pain threshold.

Minimum stimulus required to perceive pain.

Define pain tolerance.

Maximum pain a person is able to endure.

How do NSAIDs relieve pain?

Block prostaglandins (anti-inflammatory effects).

How does acetaminophen relieve pain?

Blocks pain centrally; does not have anti-inflammatory effects.

How do opioids (e.g., morphine) relieve pain?

Act on CNS receptors to reduce pain perception and response.

What are adjuvants in pain management?

Antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) and anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin).

Name non-pharmacologic pain management options.

Heat/cold, massage, distraction, TENS, meditation.

What is Gate Control Theory?

Non-painful input can suppress pain signals to the brain.

Define pathogen.

A microorganism capable of causing disease.

Define immunity.

The body's ability to resist infection and disease.

Define inflammation.

A protective response to injury or infection with signs such as redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Define infection.

Invasion and replication of a pathogen within a host.

Define fever.

Elevated body temperature in response to infection or inflammation.

Define hypothermia.

Abnormally low body temperature.

Define hyperthermia.

Abnormally high body temperature due to failed thermoregulation or external factors.

What is the role of endothelial cells in immunity/inflammation?

They form a barrier lining blood vessels.

What is the role of platelets in immunity/inflammation?

Clotting and inflammation; release mediators.?

What is the role of neutrophils?

Early responders to infection.

What is the role of monocytes?

Differentiate into macrophages and perform phagocytosis.

What is the role of eosinophils/basophils/mast cells?

Involved in allergic and parasitic responses; release mediators like histamines.

Who are high-risk populations for infection?

Elderly, infants, and immunocompromised individuals.

What are virulence factors of pathogens? exotoxins?

Exotoxins damage cells; endotoxins trigger immune reactions.

What is the chain of infection?

Source → reservoir → portal → transmission → host.

What are the stages of disease?

Incubation, prodromal, illness, convalescence.

What are typical clinical manifestations of infection across the lifespan?

Fever, malaise; neonates may be lethargic; elderly may have confusion.

What tests diagnose infection?

CBC, cultures, urinalysis, X-rays.

What medications treat infections?

Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals.

What are common healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)?

CAUTI, CLABSI, VAP.

What is CAUTI pathophysiology?

Catheter introduces bacteria into the bladder.

List risk factors for UTI.

Female sex, anatomically; catheters; pregnancy; elderly.

What are common adult manifestations of UTI?

Dysuria, urgency, and frequency.

What are common elderly manifestations of UTI?

Confusion.

What are UTIs in pregnancy often like?

Asymptomatic or symptomatic.ना

What diagnostics assess UTI?

Urinalysis and culture.

What is innate immunity?

Immediate, non-specific defenses (e.g., skin, phagocytes).

What is adaptive immunity?

Specific, delayed immunity; cell-mediated (T cells) and humoral (B cells/antibodies).

What are antigens vs antibodies?

Antigens provoke an immune response; antibodies are B-cell–produced proteins that bind antigens.

What is an autoimmune disease?

Loss of self-tolerance leading to immune attack on self.

How does immunity differ in infants and the elderly?

Both often have decreased immunity.

What is active vs passive immunity?

Active: body makes immunity (e.g., vaccines); Passive: antibodies provided (e.g., breastfeeding).

What are risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

Genetics, female sex, smoking.

What is the pathophysiology of RA?

Autoimmune attack on the synovium of joints.

What are RA symptoms?

Joint pain, stiffness, fatigue, nodules.

What are RA treatment goals?

Reduce inflammation and preserve joint function.

What are common RA treatments mentioned?

Methotrexate (immunosuppressant), Sulfasalazine (anti-inflammatory), Corticosteroids.

How is acute vs chronic inflammation characterized?

Acute: short duration; chronic: long-standing or persistent.

What are local vs systemic signs of inflammation?

Local: redness; systemic: fever.

What is the vascular phase of inflammation?

Vasodilation with increased vascular permeability leading to swelling.

What inflammatory mediators are involved?

Histamines, cytokines, prostaglandins.

What makes inflammation harmful?

Autoimmune causes or poor resolution leading to tissue damage.

What part of the brain regulates temperature?

The hypothalamus.

List heat loss mechanisms.

Radiation, conduction, convection, evaporation.

Why do fevers occur and what is their purpose?

Fever occurs in response to infection/inflammation and helps enhance immune function.

How is fever treated?

Tylenol (acetaminophen) and physical cooling.

How is hyperthermia treated?

Cooling measures and fluids.

How is hypothermia treated?

Warm IV fluids and warming blankets.

What are basic terms of respiratory mechanics?

Lung compliance (expansion ease) and airway resistance.

What are the components of the respiratory system?

Upper and lower airways, diaphragm, alveoli.

What is gas exchange a combination of?

Ventilation (air in/out) and perfusion (blood flow).

What are asthma risk factors?

Allergies, family history, pollution.

What triggers asthma symptoms?

Exercise, cold air, allergens.

What is Atopy?

Genetic predisposition to allergies.

What role do airway beta receptors play in asthma?

Beta receptors promote bronchodilation.

What is the pathophysiology of asthma?

Mast cell mediators (histamine, leukotrienes) cause bronchospasm and remodeling.

What are common asthma symptoms?

Wheezing, dyspnea, cough.

What is the first-line treatment for an acute asthma attack?

SABA (short-acting beta-agonist) such as albuterol.

How can asthma be prevented?

Avoid triggers and use preventive medications as prescribed.

How is asthma diagnosed?

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and patient history.

What are risk factors for pneumonia?

Elderly, immunocompromised status, aspiration risk.

What defense mechanisms protect the lower respiratory tract?

Cilia, mucus, and immune cells.

What are pneumonia types?

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP).

What are typical vs atypical pneumonia presentations?

Typical: productive cough; Atypical: dry cough.

What is pneumococcal pathophysiology in pneumonia?

Red hepatization progressing to gray hepatization in infection.

How is pneumonia diagnosed and treated?

Diagnosis: chest X-ray, sputum; Treatment: antibiotics.