LPN

Function: The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting blood, nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Key Organs:
- Heart: Pumps blood throughout the body.
- Blood Vessels: Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood back to the heart.
- Capillaries: Microscopic vessels where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place.
Important Vocabulary:
- Hemoglobin: A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
- Aorta: The largest artery in the body.
- Arrhythmia: An irregular heartbeat.
Why it Matters in Nursing: Understanding cardiovascular function is crucial for assessing patients' health, monitoring vital signs, and managing conditions like heart disease.

Function: Facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and environment.
Key Organs:
- Lungs: Main organs of respiration where gas exchange occurs.
- Trachea: Windpipe that connects the throat to the lungs.
- Diaphragm: Muscle that assists in breathing by contracting and relaxing to change lung volume.
Important Vocabulary:
- Bronchi: Large air passages that branch from the trachea into each lung.
- Alveoli: Tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange takes place.
- Spirometry: A test used to measure lung function.
Why it Matters in Nursing: Nurses need to assess respiratory function and oxygen saturation, especially in patients with chronic lung diseases.

Function: Controls body functions through electrical signals and communication between the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Key Organs:
- Brain: Central organ of the nervous system that processes information.
- Spinal Cord: Transmits signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
- Nerves: Fibers that carry signals to and from the central nervous system.
Important Vocabulary:
- Neurons: Cells that transmit nerve impulses.
- Cerebellum: Part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements.
- Reflex: An automatic response to a stimulus.
Why it Matters in Nursing: Nurses must recognize signs of neurological impairment and understand how to effectively communicate with patients with neurological conditions.

Function: Breaks down food into nutrients to provide energy and materials for growth.
Key Organs:
- Stomach: Breaks down food with digestive acids.
- Small Intestine: Absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream.
- Liver: Processes nutrients and detoxifies harmful substances.
Important Vocabulary:
- Enzymes: Proteins that speed up chemical reactions involved in digestion.
- Bile: A digestive fluid produced by the liver.
- Peristalsis: The wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract.
Why it Matters in Nursing: Understanding digestion helps nurses provide care for patients with gastrointestinal issues and dietary needs.

Function: Removes waste and excess fluids from the blood to maintain a healthy balance.
Key Organs:
- Kidneys: Filter blood and produce urine.
- Bladder: Stores urine until it's excreted.
- Ureters: Tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Important Vocabulary:
- Nephron: The basic functional unit of the kidney.
- Urination: The act of excreting urine from the bladder.
- Hematuria: The presence of blood in urine.
Why it Matters in Nursing: Nurses assess renal function in patients to identify issues like urinary tract infections or kidney disease.

Function: Provides structure, support, and movement to the body while protecting vital organs.
Key Organs:
- Bones: Provide structure and protection for organs.
- Muscles: Enable movement through contraction.
- Joints: Allow for flexibility and movement between bones.
Important Vocabulary:
- Tendons: Connect muscles to bones.
- Ligaments: Connect bones to other bones at joints.
- Osteoporosis: A condition characterized by weak and fragile bones.
Why it Matters in Nursing: Nurses must understand musculoskeletal health to promote mobility, prevent falls, and manage pain.