Patho Exam 1

Module One: Disease and Cell Response

Chemical Mediators

  • Released during injury, inflammation, or infection.

  • Functions:

    • Vasodilation: Increases blood flow to the area.

    • Capillary permeability: Increases fluid movement to tissue.

    • Signals white blood cells to respond to injury or infection.

  • Common chemical mediators include histamines, serotonin, and cytokines.

Inflammation

  • Acute vs. Chronic:

    • Acute: short-term, resolves quickly.

    • Chronic: prolonged, with periods of remission and exacerbation.

  • Local vs. Systemic:

    • Signs of local inflammation: SHARP (Swelling, Heat, Altered function, Redness, Pain).

    • Systemic changes include: Fever, elevated white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein.

White Blood Cells

  • Agranulocytes vs. Granulocytes:

    • Granulocytes include neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils (ending in "-phils").

    • Agranulocytes: lymphocytes and monocytes.

Immune Response

  • Antigens trigger antibody production by B cells.

  • Apoptosis: Controlled cell death (no inflammation) vs. Necrosis: Uncontrolled cell death (triggers inflammation).

Cellular Adaptation

  • Types of cell adaptation include:

    • Dysplasia: Dysfunctional cell growth.

    • Hypertrophy: Increase in cell size.

    • Atrophy: Decrease in cell size.

    • Metaplasia: Replacement with a different cell type.

    • Hyperplasia: Increase in cell number.

Cells of Inflammation

  • Key cells involved:

    • Endothelial cells (line blood vessels, release cytokines).

    • Platelets (prevent blood loss).

    • Leukocytes (white blood cells).

Fever and Chills

  • Causes of fever: infections, cancers, surgeries.

  • Chills can occur during the onset of a fever and do not indicate resolution.

Module Two: Clinical Genetics

Cancer Treatment

  • Adjuvant therapy: use of two treatment types (e.g., chemotherapy + surgery).

  • Primary vs. Adjuvant: primary treatment is the main one, while adjuvant supports it.

Types of Tumors

  • Benign: Encapsulated, slow growth.

  • Malignant: Invasive, spread to nearby tissues.

Blood Dyscrasias

  • Refers to abnormalities in blood tests, affecting white, red blood cells, or platelets.

Cachexia

  • Wasting syndrome caused by cancer, leading to increased metabolic rate and decreased intake.

Chemotherapy Effects

  • Kills all fast-growing cells, leading to side effects like nausea, hair loss, and bone marrow suppression.

  • Palliative Care: Focuses on symptom relief when curative measures are not effective.

Module Three: ABG and Fluid Management

ABG Basics

  • Priority assessment: Addressing airway, breathing, circulation first.

  • Common acid-base imbalances:

    • Acidosis: Retained CO2 (respiratory) or metabolic causes rations.

    • Alkalosis: Caused by high respiratory rates or loss of stomach acid.

  • Identify ABG values and their implications (e.g. compensated vs. uncompensated).

Edema Types and Management

  • Define edema: swelling due to fluid in tissue spaces.

  • Life-threatening types include laryngeal, bowel, and cerebral edema.

  • Use hypertonic fluids to draw fluid out of interstitial spaces during edema.

Electrolyte Considerations

  • Key normal values:

    • Sodium (Na): brain function.

    • Potassium (K): cardiac function.

    • Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg): skeletal muscle function.

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