CNA Anatomy & Physiology

acute

sudden onset illness that can be cured in less than 6 months (ex. broken leg or cold)

chronic

slow gradual onset, and cannot be cured only managed (ex. diabetes type 2 and heart disease)

cancer

abnormal cell growth

what are the 3 treatments for cancer?

radiation, chemo (chemical to kill cells), and surgery to remove the cancer

metastasis

cancer growing/spreading to a second site in the body (most common is lung spreading to brain)

infection

pathogens that invade and grow causing a reaction

inflammation

a response to an injury or infection (ex. redness around a cut, pus, heat, and swelling)

inflammation is a ______ reaction to invading pathogens

localized

systemic

widespread (whole-body response) to pathogens (ex. fever, nausea, vomiting)

latenet

no immediate or hidden reaction to invading pathogens (ex. chicken pox and HIV)

HIV

• human immunodeficiency virus

• virus that attacks the body’s immune system (T cells)

what happens if HIV is not treated?

it can lead to AIDS

AIDS

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

what does the integumentary system do?

protects from invading pathogens and regulates body temperature

what makes up the integumentary system?

skin, hair, nails

epidermis

outer layer of skin

dermis

layer below epidermis (blood vessels and nerves above later of fat)

with age, the skin’s ability to retain dryness leads to…

dryness of skin and hair

with age, the dermis layer of skin thins and leads to…

wrinkles

what causes wrinkles?

the dermis layer of the skin thinning

pressure injury/sore

breakdown of skin and underlying structure due to lack of blood flow

how do we prevent pressure sores?

turning and moving the body to get the circulation going

pediculus capitis (head lice)

tiny insects that feed on blood from the human scalp

how does head lice spread?

direct head to head contact

can head lice jump or fly?

no they can only crawl

foot elevators and heel protectirs

“pillows” to raise feet/heels off the bed to prevent pressure sores

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin (rash)

how many bones are in your body?

209

musculoskeletal system

the muscles and bones to provide structure, support, and movement

with age, what happens when the spinal column is shortened due to compression of vertebrae and changes in posture?

loss of height

with age, what happens with loss of minerals from bones?

greater risk of broken bones

with age, what happens with loss of muscle mass?

loss of strength

with age, what happens with loss of elasticity?

muscle stiffness

arthritis

inflammation of joints (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)

osteoarthritis

“wear and tear” arthritis, most people get with old age

rheumatoid arthritis

autoimmune disease where the body attacks the joints (can happen at any age)

what can be done to prevent or aid in arthritis?

ROM exercises

when a resident has arthritis that causes their hand to construct into a fist, what is important to do?

make sure that hand has extra cleaning

osteoporosis

calcium leaching out of bones, making them weak, have less support, and prone to injuries such as hip fractures

who commonly gets osteoporosis?

older women

abductor wedge

device to keep patients to not cross their legs and keep their hips in proper alignment after surgery

contracture

muscles that contract permanently due to lack of exercise

what do you need to do when taking care of fractures?

elevate and check for circulation

what does the respiratory system do?

bring in oxygen and take out carbon dioxide

what makes up the respiratory system?

mouth, throat, trachea, and lungs

pharynx

throat

trachea

windpipe

what happens to the respiratory system with age?

chest wall and lung structures get more rigid and not as much room in the lungs for air → difficulty breathing

t/f: there is only 1 breathing pattern while respirating

false

tachypnea

fast breathing rate, >24 bpm

bradypnea

slow breathing, <12 bpm (usually during deep sleep)

what is the normal range for breathing?

12-20bpm

dyspnea

difficulty breathing

apnea

no breathing

-pnea

breathing

tachy-

fast

brady-

slow

dys-

difficult

a-

none/no

Cheyne Stakes

near death (dyspnea + apnea)

URI

upper respiratory infection (nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx)

common cold

nasal drainage, cough, caused by many viruses

influenza

nasal drainage, cough, fever, aches, etc. and there is vaccination to prevent it

LRI

infection on the lower respiratory track (trachea, bronchi, alveoli)

pneumonia

lower respiratory infection, viral or bacterial, dangerous for elderly

how do you care for pneumonia?

fluids, encourage walking and deep breathing, and use gloves when handling tissues

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

a collection of lung diseases that cause lung problems and obstruct airflow

cyanosis

bluish tinge to the lips and nail beds due to lack of oxygen

sputum

lung secretions (saliva) sample for LRI investigation

oxygen

medication regulated by nurse

what does the circulatory system do?

transport nutrients and oxygen to cells, waste and CO2 away from cells

what consists of the circulatory system?

heart and blood vessels

heart

organ that pumps blood throughout your body

artery

blood vessels that bring oxygen rich blood to your heart and body cells

vein

carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart to get reoxygenated

tachycardia

fast heart rate at rest, >100 bpm

bradycardia

slow heart rate, <60 bpm

hypertension

high blood pressure

hypotension

low blood pressure

what causes hypotension?

dehydration or changing position too quickly

orthostatic hypotension

condition where your blood pressure suddenly drops when you stand up from sitting or laying down

orthostatic blood pressure

checking blood pressure and pulse in each position (laying, sitting, and standing)

congestive heart failure (CHF)

chronic disease where the heart is not beating strong enough, blood and fluids pool in the llungs, SOB, edema in ankes, etc.

how can you help a resident with CHF?

elevate legs while seated, waits and wear TED hose in the AM (stockings)

edema

swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body’s tissues

peripheral vascular disease (PVD)

• chronic disease where there is cholesterol build up in the hands, feet, and legs

• causes numbness, cold and purple feet

what should you do when you have PVD?

avoid crossing legs, elevate legs, do not put heat on it, and monitor circulation

coronary artery disease (CAD)

chronic disease where cholesterol builds up in the blood vessels in the heart muscle, and lack of O2 in the heart muscle leads to pain

what do CADs lead to?

heart attacks

plaque

cholesterol deposits on the wall of arteries

myocardial infraction (MI)

a heart attack, the heart muscle is damaged/dying

angina

type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart

cerebral vascular accident (CVA)

a stroke - caused by lack of blood to brain tissue

what are 2 ways that CVA can be caused?

blockage of blood vessels by clot or burst blood vessel

what are the signs and symptoms of CVA/stroke?

sudden severe headache, facial droop, one sided paralysis

aphasia

difficulty communicating verbally or in writing caused by a stroke or TBI

varicose veins

twisted and enlarged veins in the legs that can progress to ulcerations (be sure to elevate legs and wear compression hose)

what does the digestive system do?

take in food and turn it into nutrients the body can use

what consists of the digestive system?

mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon

esophagus

muscular tube to carry food from throat to stomach