Cellular Pathophysiology and Immunity Study Guide

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cellular pathophysiology, homeostasis, cellular injury/adaptation, leukocyte function, and hypersensitivity reactions.

Pathophysiology

The study of the functional changes that accompany disease.

Etiology

The cause of a disease, which may be biologic, physical, or chemical in origin.

Intrinsic

Internal factors such as age, gender, or inherited traits.

Extrinsic

External factors such as nutrition, trauma, smoking, or infectious agents.

Idiopathic

diseases that have no known cause.

Pathogenesis

The sequence of events from initial contact with an etiologic agent to the expression of the disease.

Clinical Manifestations

The signs and symptoms—structural and functional changes—that accompany a disease.

Disease

A harmful condition that stops normal organ or system function, such as Diabetes or Asthma.

Illness

The subjective, individualized experience of a condition, such as feeling tired or experiencing chronic fatigue.

Exposure Stage

the target tissue or cell is exposed to a causative agent or injury.

Latent/Incubation Stage

no clinical manifestations are evident.

Prodromal Stage

clinical manifestations are mild or non-specific.

Acute Stage

the disease reaches full intensity and complications may arise.

Remission Stage

the disappearance of clinical manifestations.

Homeostasis

A steady, dynamic state of balance in the body, such as maintaining blood sugar levels, core temperature, or a pH balance of $7.35\text{--}7.45$.

Negative Feedback Loop

A mechanism that corrects a change to restore homeostasis, such as temperature regulation.

Positive Feedback Loop

A mechanism that intensifies a change, moving the system farther from the normal range until a definite end point is reached, such as childbirth uterine contractions.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A predictable three-phase process (Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion/Recovery) through which the body responds to stressors.

Alarm Phase

The first phase of General Adaptation Syndrome involving the mobilization of resources, known as the 'fight or flight' response.

Resistance Phase

The second phase of General Adaptation Syndrome where the body attempts to cope with the stressor.

Exhaustion/Recovery Phase

The final phase of General Adaptation Syndrome where reserves are depleted; if stress is prolonged, resistance fails, leading to disease or organ failure.

Atrophy

A decrease in cell size due to decreased workload or malnutrition, such as brain changes in dementia or loss of muscle mass in aging.

Hypertrophy

An increase in cell size due to increased workload, such as Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) in chronic hypertension.

Hyperplasia

An increase in the number of cells due to hormonal or workload stimulation, such as breast changes and enlargement during pregnancy.

Metaplasia

The replacement of one adult cell type with another to better endure stress, such as airway epithelial changes in chronic smokers.

Dysplasia

Deranged cell growth that is often a precursor to cancer, such as skin moles with irregular borders and color changes.

TIPD Memory Hook

An NCLEX memory hook for causes of cell injury: Toxins (alcohol, CO, drugs, chemotherapy), Infections (viral, bacterial, protozoan), Physical Insult (trauma, radiation, electrical, temperature), and Deficits (oxygen/ischemia, water, nutrients).

Apoptosis

A type of cell death, Programmed, 'clean' cell death where the cell blebs and breaks into apoptotic bodies for phagocytosis without causing inflammation.

Necrosis

A type of cell death, Accidental, 'messy' cell death caused by external factors where the cell swells, the plasma membrane ruptures, and cellular lysis causes inflammation.

Innate Immunity

The first line of defense present at birth that provides immediate, short-term, non-specific protection and does not remember the pathogen.

Adaptive Immunity

Specific immunity that provides long-term resistance and is highly specific to the invading pathogen.

Neutrophil

A primary leukocyte responsible for phagocytosis and providing continuous non-specific protection.

Macrophage

A mature version of monocytes with a long life span that stimulates immediate inflammation.

Eosinophil

A leukocyte active in allergic reactions and parasitic infections, such as Giardia.

Basophil / Mast Cell

Leukocytes that release histamine and other vasoactive amines to cause inflammation.

B-Lymphocyte

A leukocyte that becomes plasma cells to produce large quantities of antibodies.

T-Lymphocyte

A cell responsible for cell-mediated immunity, encompassing Helper T/CD4+, Cytotoxic T, and Regulator T cells.

Left Shift

An increase in the percentage of Bands (immature neutrophils) released by the bone marrow during severe inflammation or sepsis, indicating that the body is overworked.

Hypersensitivity

An overactive immunity response to an antigen to which the patient has been previously exposed.

Type I Hypersensitivity

Rapid/Atopic hypersensitivity mediated by IgE, clinically exemplified by anaphylaxis, allergic rhinitis, and angioedema.

Type II Hypersensitivity

Cytotoxic hypersensitivity mediated by IgG/IgM, clinically exemplified by blood transfusion reactions and Rh incompatibility.

Type III Hypersensitivity

Immune Complex hypersensitivity mediated by IgG/IgM, clinically exemplified by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Type IV Hypersensitivity

Delayed hypersensitivity mediated by T-Cells, clinically exemplified by poison ivy, contact dermatitis, and jewelry allergy.

Anaphylaxis

A life-threatening Type I hypersensitivity emergency where widespread histamine release causes rapid bronchoconstriction and systemic vasodilation.

Epinephrine

The immediate medication administered during anaphylaxis to open airways and constrict blood vessels.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, progressive Type III autoimmune disorder where autoantibodies attack tissues, forming immune complexes that deposit in kidneys, joints, and skin to trigger destructive inflammation.

Butterfly Rash

A key feature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) described as a red, macular rash over the cheeks and nose.