Analyse and Respond to Client Health Information Practice Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering nervous, endocrine, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary, and reproductive system disorders and health assessments.

Ischaemic Stroke

A cerebrovascular accident caused by an interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain due to a blockage, classified as either embolic or thrombotic.

Haemorrhagic Stroke

A cerebrovascular accident caused by bleeding within or around the brain, classified as subarachnoid or intracerebral.

F.A.S.T.

A stroke recognition first aid tool representing Face (drooping), Arms (inability to lift both), Speech (slurred or confused), and Time (critical to call $000$ immediately).

Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)

A temporary interruption in brain blood flow caused by micro-emboli or vessel narrowing, lasting less than $24\,\text{hours}$ (often clearing within $1\,\text{hour}$) with usually no permanent brain damage.

Epilepsy

A brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity, manifesting as loss of consciousness, staring, weakness, or muscle jerking.

Alzheimer's Dementia

The most common cause of dementia, defined as a progressive neurodegenerative disease where brain cells die, the brain shrinks, neurons are damaged, and plaques form.

Parkinson's Disease

A neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, leading to movement dysfunction, treated with dopamine replacement drugs that can cause dyskinesia.

Concussion

A traumatic brain injury caused by violent jerking of the brain against the skull, resulting in electrical disruption, confusion, headache, and photosensitivity, usually treated with rest.

Contusion (Brain)

An intracerebral bleeding injury from a direct strong blow to the head with symptoms that worsen over time, potentially causing brain damage due to increased cranial pressure.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Disturbed nerve functioning commonly affecting the feet and legs in individuals with diabetes, leading to reduced pain sensation, foot ulcers, amputation, and impaired mobility.

Vital Sign Normal Ranges (RMIT Policy)

Standard physiological baselines defined as BP $100\text{--}140/60\text{--}90\,\text{mmHg}$, Temperature $36\text{--}37.5\,^\circ\text{C}$, RR $12\text{--}20\,\text{breaths/min}$, PR $60\text{--}100\,\text{bpm}$, and SpO2 $95\text{--}100\%$.

Hypoglycemia

A condition of abnormally low blood glucose levels less than $4\,\text{mmol/L}$, causing symptoms such as pallor, irritability, weakness, lack of coordination, and sleepiness.

Hyperglycemia

An elevated blood glucose level above normal limits (random range $4\text{--}8\,\text{mmol/L}$), presenting with dry mouth, increased thirst, hunger, headache, and frequent urination.

Cushing's Syndrome

An endocrine disorder resulting from excess glucocorticoid levels caused by exogenous factors, such as taking excessive prednisone medication.

Cushing's Disease

An endocrine disorder caused by endogenous excess secretion of glucocorticoids, typically secondary to a pituitary adenoma.

24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol Test

A diagnostic endocrine test evaluating daily cortisol variation with a normal range of $100\text{--}300\,\text{nmol/24hrs}$; elevated levels indicate Cushing's syndrome/disease and low levels indicate Addison's disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune, symmetrical joint disease marked by swollen, inflamed synovial membranes and bone erosion, causing morning stiffness lasting more than $30\,\text{minutes}$.

Osteoarthritis

A degenerative, asymmetrical joint disorder caused by the breakdown of articular cartilage, leading to bone rubbing and morning stiffness lasting less than $30\,\text{minutes}$.

Osteoporosis

A disease that renders bones porous and susceptible to fractures, managed by medications such as bisphosphonates or denosumab alongside lifestyle modifications.

Compartment Syndrome

Inflammation and swelling within a fascial muscle compartment that compresses arteries and reduces blood flow, commonly caused by tibia/forearm fractures, tight casts, or burns.

Creatine Kinase (CK) Test

A blood test evaluating levels of a muscle protein present in skeletal muscle, heart, and brain tissue, which elevates during rhabdomyolysis and muscular trauma.

Arteriosclerosis

Degeneration and hardening of arterial walls due to deposits of lipids, calcium, and fibrous tissue, leading to loss of elasticity, hypertension, and thrombus risk.

Thrombosis

The formation of an intravascular blood clot within a blood vessel, restricting or completely blocking blood supply to tissues.

Embolism

The obstruction of a blood vessel by a dislodged thrombus, air bubble, or fat particle transported through the blood circulation.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Impaired oxygen and nutrient delivery to heart tissues resulting from arterial narrowing due to arteriosclerosis, causing angina, diaphoresis, pallor, hypertension, and cool extremities.

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Heart muscle cell death resulting from severe ischemia when a thrombus forms over a ruptured atherosclerotic plaque and occludes a coronary artery.

Shock

A severe collapse of systemic arterial blood pressure that impairs tissue perfusion and cellular oxygen delivery, potentially leading to cell death and organ failure.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the calf, thigh, or pelvis, carrying a risk of pulmonary embolism and prevented using compression, mobilization, and anticoagulants.

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)

Backflow of gastric acid into the esophagus caused by inappropriate relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter, leading to oesophageal mucosal inflammation.

Crohn's Disease

A form of inflammatory bowel disease featuring cobblestoning of the intestinal lining, fat-wrapping, deep fissures, and transmural bowel wall thickening.

Ulcerative Colitis

An inflammatory bowel disease characterized by mucosal ulceration, formation of pseudopolyps, crypt distortion, and loss of haustra in the bowel.

Bowel Obstruction

Interruption of intestinal content flow classified as mechanical (tumor, adhesion, volvulus, hernia), paralytic ileus (ineffective peristalsis), or strangulation (vascular compromise).

Urinary Retention

An inability to void urine completely or at all, causing urinary stasis, increased risk of urinary tract infections, and overflow incontinence.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

A sudden decline in renal function over hours to days classified by the RIFLE criteria, where Loss represents complete functional loss for $> 4\,\text{weeks}$ and ESKD for $> 3\,\text{months}$.

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

A chronic, irreversible decline in renal function lasting longer than $3\,\text{months}$, primarily caused by diabetes ($38\%$) and severe hypertension, leading to systemic uraemia.

Endometriosis

Ectopic growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, leading to severe pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and potential infertility.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland in men aged $> 50$, compressing the urethra and leading to urinary retention, weak stream, and overflow incontinence.

Prostate Cancer

A malignant growth of prostate tissue and the second most common cancer in Australian men, characterized by a $95\%$ five-year survival rate.

Nursing Diagnosis vs Medical Diagnosis

A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment regarding human responses to health conditions managed by nursing care (e.g., acute pain), whereas a medical diagnosis focuses on the specific disease process (e.g., osteoarthritis).

Acid-Base Balance Evaluation

Assessment of systemic arterial pH and blood gas parameters to analyze and identify clinical conditions of metabolic or respiratory acidosis and alkalosis.