Exam Review

Disease

A physiological or psychological dysfunction, meaning 'without ease'.

Illness

The subjective experience of disease, including individual perceptions and responses.

Sickness

A state of social dysfunction related to illness.

Environmental Related Diseases

Diseases influenced by environmental factors and the individual living in that environment.

Physical Environment

Aspects of the environment such as air, water, light, and radiation that can affect health.

Biological Environment

The biological factors that determine disease presence, based on the ability of agents or vectors to thrive.

Social Environment

Social factors affecting health, including socioeconomic status and cultural beliefs.

Natural History of Disease

The course of a disease over time, without treatment influence.

Stage of Susceptibility

The phase where risk factors favor disease occurrence, but the person is symptom-free.

Stage of Pre-symptomatic Disease

The stage where pathogenic changes occur but symptoms have not yet manifested.

Stage of Clinical Disease

The stage where specific signs and symptoms of a disease develop.

Stage of Termination

The phase where the disease resolves in various ways, including spontaneous resolution or death.

Stage of Sequels

The aftermath of a disease, resulting in impairment, disability, or handicap.

Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience related to actual or potential tissue damage.

Acute Pain

Pain with a clear cause, typically brief, subsiding with healing.

Chronic Pain

Persistent pain that does not serve a useful purpose, affecting quality of life.

Multimodal Analgesia

Use of multiple modalities for pain relief targeting various parts of the pain pathway.

Impairment

Any loss or abnormality in psychological, physiological, or anatomical structure or function.

Infection

A disease caused by microorganisms which interfere with normal lifestyle.

Chain of Infection

The process through which an infectious agent passes from one organism to another.

Virulence

The speed and intensity with which a pathogen causes infection.

Epidemic

A widespread outbreak of a disease affecting many people.

Germs

Disease-causing organisms that can only be seen under a microscope, also referred to as pathogens.

Pathogen

An agent capable of causing disease, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

Immune System

A complex system that protects the body against pathogens.

Innate Immune System

The part of the immune system designed to dispose of pathogens rapidly in a nonspecific manner.

Acquired Immune System

A specialized immune response that recognizes specific pathogens.