Pathophysiology Final Exam Study Guide - Modules 7-10 (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from neurological, hematological, reproductive, cardiovascular, and respiratory disorder topics.

Decerebrate posturing

Extensor posturing with arms extended and internally rotated; legs extended with plantar flexion; indicates brainstem damage.

Decorticate posturing

Flexor posturing with arms flexed toward the core and wrists flexed; legs extended; indicates damage above the brainstem.

Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP)

Increased pressure from brain edema, mass lesions, or CSF accumulation.

Early cues of increased ICP

Headache, nausea/vomiting, altered LOC, restlessness, confusion; pupil changes with sluggish response.

Cushing's triad

Hypertension with widened pulse pressure, bradycardia, irregular respirations; late cue of increased ICP.

MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

Autoimmune demyelination of CNS neurons with plaques in brain and spinal cord.

Etiology of MS

Autoimmune processes with genetic predisposition and possible environmental triggers.

Cues of MS

Fatigue, visual disturbances, weakness, spasticity, coordination problems, cognitive changes, heat intolerance.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Non-progressive brain damage affecting movement and posture.

CP cues

Spasticity, abnormal reflexes, delayed motor development, abnormal gait, variable intellectual disability.

Hydrocephalus

Excess CSF accumulation in brain ventricles due to overproduction, obstruction, or poor absorption; cues include enlarged head in infants and headaches in adults.

TIA

Transient neurological deficits lasting less than 24 hours (usually <1 hour); no permanent brain damage.

CVA/Stroke

Cerebrovascular accident with permanent brain damage from ischemia or hemorrhage.

Ischemic stroke

Thrombotic or embolic occlusion of cerebral vessels; gradual onset with focal deficits.

Hemorrhagic stroke

Rupture of a cerebral blood vessel; sudden severe headache and rapid deterioration with signs of increased ICP.

Alzheimer's dementia

Neuronal death caused by beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles; progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.

Status epilepticus

Seizure lasting >30 minutes or seizures without full recovery between events.

Simple partial seizure

Focal seizure with preserved consciousness.

Complex partial seizure

Focal seizure with impaired consciousness.

Generalized seizure

Seizure that involves both cerebral hemispheres.

Parkinson's disease

Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra causing tremor at rest, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.

Huntington's disease/Chorea

Genetic disorder causing progressive degeneration of the basal ganglia with choreiform movements and dementia.

Spinal cord transection (complete) by level

C1–C4: quadriplegia with respiratory paralysis; C5–C8: quadriplegia with some arm function; T1–T12: paraplegia with normal arms; L1–S5: variable leg weakness with bowel/bladder dysfunction.

Spinal shock

Temporary loss of reflexes below the injury level, lasting days to weeks.

Migraine

Recurrent severe headaches, often with aura, nausea, photophobia; unilateral throbbing pain.

Bacterial meningitis

Bacterial infection of meninges causing inflammation; fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, photophobia, altered mental status, petechial rash.

Brain cancer

Primary or metastatic tumors causing increased ICP and disrupted brain function.

Sickle cell anemia

Genetic mutation leading to abnormal hemoglobin and sickling of red blood cells; crisis involves vaso-occlusion.

Sickle cell crisis (vaso-occlusive)

Vaso-occlusive episodes from sickled cells causing severe pain and organ ischemia.

Iron deficiency anemia

Inadequate iron for hemoglobin synthesis; causes fatigue, weakness, pallor, pica (ice craving).

Pernicious anemia/B12 deficiency

Lack of intrinsic factor leads to poor B12 absorption and megaloblastic anemia.

Leukemia

Malignant proliferation of white blood cells in bone marrow with fatigue, infections, easy bruising.

Lymphoma

Malignant transformation of lymphocytes in the lymphatic system; painless lymphadenopathy, fever, night sweats.

Menorrhagia

Heavy menstrual bleeding.

Dyspareunia

Painful intercourse.

Dysmenorrhea

Painful menstruation.

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Ascending infection from cervix/vagina to upper reproductive tract; pelvic pain, fever, abnormal discharge, dyspareunia.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Condition with insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism leading to irregular cycles, hirsutism, infertility.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation (12+ months amenorrhea).

Perimenopause

Transitional period before menopause with irregular cycles.

Incontinence (types)

Stress: urine loss with increased abdominal pressure; Urge: sudden strong urge; Overflow: incomplete emptying; Functional: due to impairment; Neurogenic: neurologic bladder control issues.

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)

Non-malignant enlargement of the prostate causing urinary hesitancy, weak stream, nocturia, incomplete emptying, urgency.

Erectile dysfunction (ED)

Inability to achieve or maintain an erection due to vascular, neurological, hormonal, or psychological factors.

Testicular cancer (risk factors)

Cryptorchidism, family history, age 15–35, white race; presents with a painless testicular mass.

Prostate cancer (risk factors)

Age >50, African American race, family history, high-fat diet; may be asymptomatic early.

Cryptorchidism

Undescended testicle(s) at birth.

Hemostasis steps

1) Vasoconstriction; 2) Platelet plug formation; 3) Coagulation cascade; 4) Clot retraction and dissolution.

Thrombus formation (Virchow's triad)

Endothelial injury, blood stasis, hypercoagulability leading to clot formation.

Hypertension (HTN)

Increased systemic arterial pressure; risk factors include age, obesity, sodium intake, stress, genetics, smoking.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

Atherosclerotic plaque buildup in coronary arteries; causes chest pain and reduced blood flow.

Myocardial infarction (MI)

Complete coronary artery occlusion causing myocardial necrosis; severe chest pain, diaphoresis, nausea.

Stable angina

Predictable chest pain with exertion relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.

Unstable angina

Unpredictable chest pain at rest not relieved by usual measures.

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm or rate.

Right-sided heart failure

Right ventricle cannot pump effectively; peripheral edema, JVD, hepatomegaly, ascites.

Left-sided heart failure

Left ventricle cannot pump effectively; pulmonary edema, dyspnea, orthopnea, fatigue, cough.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Widespread activation of coagulation causing both clotting and bleeding.

Shock (types)

Acute circulatory failure with hypotension and hypoperfusion; types include septic, neurogenic, anaphylactic, cardiogenic, hypovolemic.

Aneurysm

Localized dilation of a blood vessel wall.

Dyspnea

Difficulty breathing.

Orthopnea

Difficulty breathing when lying flat.

Hypoxia

Decreased oxygen at the tissue level.

Hypoxemia

Decreased oxygen in arterial blood.

Hypercapnia

Increased carbon dioxide in arterial blood.

Copd: Emphysema

Destruction of alveolar walls with loss of elastic recoil; causes dyspnea, barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic productive cough for ≥3 months in 2 consecutive years; wheeze, cyanosis, weight gain.

Asthma

Chronic airway inflammation with bronchospasm, mucus production, and edema; wheezing and dyspnea.

Status asthmaticus

Life-threatening acute asthma unresponsive to standard treatment.

Pneumonia

Infection of lung parenchyma causing inflammation, alveolar filling, and impaired gas exchange.

Nosocomial pneumonia

Hospital-acquired pneumonia occurring ≥48 hours after admission; often resistant organisms.

Aspiration pneumonia

Inhalation of gastric contents or other material leading to chemical pneumonitis or infection.

Pneumothorax

Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.

Pleural effusion

Excess fluid in the pleural space.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection causing granuloma formation; airborne transmission.

Pulmonary embolism

Blood clot blocking a pulmonary artery; risk factors include immobility, surgery, cancer, pregnancy.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

Genetic defect causing thick, sticky secretions in lungs and pancreas.

Influenza

Viral respiratory infection; Type A is most severe, Type B milder, Type C typically small outbreaks.

Hyperventilation

Excessive breathing causing decreased CO2.

Hypoventilation

Inadequate breathing causing increased CO2.

Respiratory acidosis

CO2 retention with pH < 7.35.

Respiratory alkalosis

CO2 loss with pH > 7.45.