Nursing 3366 Pathologic Processes: Basic Concepts, Genetic Influence in Disease, and Intracellular Function and Disorders

A corpus of vocabulary terms and definitions drawn from Basic Concepts, Genetic Influence in Disease, and related notes to aid exam preparation in pathophysiology and genetics.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of constant conditions in the body’s internal environment.

Compensation

Return to homeostasis after a stressor, achieved by compensatory mechanisms (adaptation, healing).

Decompensation

Failure to compensate; deterioration when control mechanisms are exhausted.

Disease

A harmful condition of the body (and/or mind).

Disorder

A disturbance in the healthiness of the body.

Syndrome

A collection of signs and symptoms that occur together.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the probability that a disease will occur.

Precipitating factor

A condition or event that triggers a pathologic event or disorder.

Etiology

The cause of a disease; includes all contributing factors.

Idiopathic

A disease with an unidentifiable or unknown cause.

Iatrogenic

A problem that occurs as a result of medical treatment.

Nosocomial

A condition that arises as a consequence of being in a hospital.

Clinical manifestations

Demonstration of signs and/or symptoms of a disease.

Signs

Objective manifestations identifiable by a trained observer.

Symptoms

Subjective manifestations reported by the patient.

Local signs

Signs confined to a specific area.

Systemic signs

Signs affecting the whole body.

Acute S&S

Rapid appearance of signs/symptoms, usually short in duration; may indicate increased severity.

Chronic S&S

Signs/symptoms that develop slowly and last longer; may wax and wane.

Remissions

Periods when signs/symptoms disappear or diminish.

Exacerbations

Periods when signs/symptoms worsen.

Central

Toward the center/core of the body; essential organs.

Peripheral

Toward the outer parts of the body; away from the core.

Proximal

Closer to the center or point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the center or point of attachment.

Shock

Low blood pressure with signs/symptoms indicating poor circulation to organs.

Prognosis

Predicted outcome of a disease based on factors like age and comorbidities.

Comorbidity

Two or more coexisting medical conditions.

Sequela

An abnormal condition that follows a disease or its treatment; a complication.

Sequelae

Plural form of sequela.

a/an

Prefix meaning not or without.

ab-

Prefix meaning from, away from, off.

ad-

Prefix meaning toward or increase.

aer-

Prefix meaning air or gas.

algia-

Suffix referring to pain.

ascend-

Prefix meaning to move upward.

asymmetrical

Lacking symmetry between two or more parts.

bi-

Prefix meaning twice or double.

bilateral

Relating to or affecting two sides.

blast-

Prefix denoting an immature precursor cell.

brady-

Prefix meaning slow.

dorsal

Pertaining to the back.

dys-

Prefix meaning bad or difficult.

ectomy

Suffix meaning removal of a part.

emia

Suffix meaning in the blood.

hemo-

Prefix referring to blood.

hemorrhage

Escape of blood from the vessels; bleeding.

hyper-

Prefix meaning excessive or above normal.

hypo-

Prefix meaning deficient or below normal.

ICU

Intensive Care Unit.

i-

Suffix that often creates a plural form (e.g., embolus -> emboli).

iasis

Suffix meaning a state or condition.

idio-

Prefix meaning private, distinctive, or peculiar to.

inferior

Situated below or downward.

itis

Suffix meaning inflammation or infection.

IV

Intravenous.

lipo-

Prefix pertaining to fat.

lytic

Suffix making an adjective from lysis (destruction).

lysis

Destruction or breakdown of a substance, usually a cell.

macro-

Prefix meaning large.

megaly

Suffix meaning large.

micro-

Prefix denoting smallness.

necro-

Prefix meaning death.

ostomy

Suffix meaning artificial opening (stoma) into a body tract.

ology

Suffix meaning the study of a subject.

osis

Suffix meaning a condition.

otomy

Suffix meaning a cutting operation.

plasty

Suffix meaning molding, shaping, or surgical repair.

scopy

Suffix meaning viewing or examining.

superior

Situated above or upward.

symmetrical

Equality in two like parts.

tachy-

Prefix meaning rapid.

unilateral

Restricted to one side of the body.

ventral

Pertaining to the front side.

VS

Vital signs.

BP

Blood pressure (systolic over diastolic).

HR

Heart rate (beats per minute).

RR

Respiratory rate (breaths per minute).

T/Temperature

Body temperature.

SO2 / O2 sat

Oxygen saturation; percentage of oxygen carried by hemoglobin.

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a protein; basic unit of heredity.

Chromosome

Rod-shaped structure in the nucleus containing DNA; packaging of genes.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; molecule containing genetic information.

Autosomal

Not a sex chromosome; refers to the 22 paired chromosomes.

Sex chromosomes

Chromosomes that determine sex (XX or XY).

Locus

Location of a gene on a chromosome.

Alleles

Variants of a gene at the same locus.

Genotype

Inherited genetic makeup at one or more loci.

Phenotype

Observable traits determined by genes and environment.

Dominant

Allele that can mask another if present (uppercase in notation).

Recessive

Allele that is masked by a dominant allele (lowercase in notation).

Homozygous

Two identical alleles at a locus.

Heterozygous

Two different alleles at a locus.

Punnett square

A diagram used to predict inheritance of genes.

Downs syndrome (trisomy 21)

Disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Philadelphia chromosome

Chromosomal translocation associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Sickle cell anemia

Autosomal recessive disorder with defective hemoglobin leading to anemia.

PKU

Phenylketonuria; autosomal recessive metabolic disorder.

Cystic fibrosis

Autosomal recessive disorder affecting mucous glands and pancreas.

Tay-Sachs disease

Autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder.