10 percent

Etiology

The cause of a disease (e.g., smoking causes lung cancer).

Pathogenesis

How the disease develops (e.g., smoking damages lung cells, leading to cancer).

Clinical Manifestations

Signs and symptoms of the disease (e.g., cough, shortness of breath).

Diagnosis

How the disease is identified (e.g., chest X-ray, biopsy).

Treatment Implications

The treatments used (e.g., chemotherapy, surgery).

Nursing Implications

What nurses need to monitor or do (e.g., assess lung function, educate on smoking cessation).

Prognosis

The likely outcome of the disease (e.g., good prognosis if caught early).

Natural History

How the disease progresses without treatment (e.g., lung cancer may spread if untreated).

Acute Stress

Short-term stress (e.g., running late for work).

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress (e.g., ongoing financial problems).

Cortisol

A stress hormone; chronic high levels can increase blood sugar and raise blood pressure.

Hypernatremia

High sodium levels that can cause brain swelling.

Hyponatremia

Low sodium levels that can cause dehydration.

Hyperkalemia

High potassium levels that can cause heart arrhythmias.

Hypokalemia

Low potassium levels that can cause muscle weakness.

Creatinine

A waste product from muscles; high levels may indicate kidney problems.

Glucose

Blood sugar; high levels (hyperglycemia) can indicate diabetes.

Cardiac Output (CO)

CO = Heart Rate (HR) × Stroke Volume (SV); low CO means organs don’t get enough blood.

Stroke Volume (SV)

The amount of blood the heart pumps per beat; influenced by preload, afterload, and contractility.

Blood Pressure (BP)

BP = Cardiac Output × Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR). High BP can damage blood vessels.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Plaque builds up in arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart, leading to angina or heart attack.

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

A heart attack when part of the heart muscle dies due to lack of blood flow.

Pre-renal

Problem before the kidney (e.g., low blood flow).

Intra-renal

Problem inside the kidney (e.g., damage from toxins).

Post-renal

Problem after the kidney (e.g., blocked urine flow).

Elasticity

How well the lungs stretch.

Recoil

How well the lungs return to normal after stretching.

Asthma

Condition where airways narrow, making it hard to breathe.

COPD

Chronic lung disease, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary Axis

Controls hormones such as cortisol, thyroid, and growth hormones.

Negative Feedback

Hormone levels regulated by feedback loops (e.g., high blood sugar triggers insulin release).

Pharmacokinetics

Study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of how drugs affect the body and their mechanisms of action.

Agonist

A substance that activates a receptor (e.g., morphine activates pain receptors).

Antagonist

A substance that blocks a receptor (e.g., naloxone blocks opioid receptors).

Penicillin

An antibiotic that can cause allergic reactions (anaphylaxis).

Vancomycin

An antibiotic that can harm kidneys.

Opioids

Pain-relieving medications that can cause respiratory depression; reversed by Naloxone.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Beta Blockers

Medications that lower heart rate and blood pressure; hold if HR < 60 bpm.

Digoxin

Medication that slows heart rate; monitor for toxicity signs like nausea and vision changes.

Albuterol

A quick-acting inhaler used for asthma attacks.

Insulin

Hormone that lowers blood sugar; different types work at different speeds.

Hypoglycemia

Low blood sugar which can be dangerous—always monitor glucose levels.