Disease

deviation from normal structure or function of any part of the body or from a state of wellness

Primary Prevention

Education on disease risk factors and prevent acquiring disease - don't develop the disease

Secondary Prevention

goal to halt or slow progression of disease in early stages - after disease or serious risk factors for disease develop

Tertiary Prevention

prevent further deterioration and improve quality of life - management of chronic health problems

Diagnosis

identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs, symptoms, lab tests, and other tools

Etiology

causative factors in a particular disease - congenital defects, inherited disorders, microorganisms, immune dysfunction, metabolic derangements, environment, nutritional deficiencies

Idiopathic

cause of disease is unknown

Iatrogenic

disease caused by treatment, procedure, or error

Predisposing factor

tendency to promote development of disease in an individual

Prophylaxis

a measure/step designed to preserve health and prevent spread of disease

Prevention

type of measure closely linked to etiology of disease

Pathogenesis

development of disease; sequence of events of tissue changes

Onset of disease

can be sudden, acute, or insidious (gradual progression)

Duration

can be acute or chronic

Subclinical

pathological changes, but few if any symptoms

Latent

initial period with no symptoms; incubation period

Prodromal

period of early disease development with non-specific symptoms (fatigue, HA, loss of appetite); lab tests negative

Manifestations

signs and symptoms of disease; local at side of problem or systemic

Signs

objective indicators of disease obvious to someone other than affected individuals

Symptoms

subjective feelings, pain or nausea

Lesion

specific local change in tissue; micro- or macroscopic

Syndrome

collection of signs and symptoms often more than one organ that occur together in response to a certain condition

Remission

period or condition where manifestations subside permanently or temporarily

Exacerbation

worsening of disease manifestations

Precipitating factor

a condition that triggers an acute episode

Predisposing factor

an increased risk factor for a disease

Complications

new, secondary, or additional problems that arise after original disease begins

Therapy

measures of treatment used to promote recovery or slow the progression or disease

Sequelae

potential unwanted outcomes of the primary condition

Convalescence/rehabilitation

the period of recovery and return to the normal health state

Prognosis

probability for recovery or other outcomes

Morbidity

disease rates in a group; functional impairment that certain conditions cause in a population

Mortality

relative number of deaths from a disease

Autopsy

postmortem examination of all parts of the body after

Epidemiology

science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease

Incidence

number of new cases in a place in a set time period

Prevalence

total number of new and old cases in a place in a set time period

Endoscopic examination

visualize lesions or structures directly through a tube inserted in the body through opening or body wall

Radiography/X-ray film

ionizing radiation, image on film of bones, soft tissue that vary in density. Plain, contrast, mammography, DXA

Computed tomography (CT Scan)

360* x-rays in series of shots, formerly CAT scan

Ultrasound

high frequency sound waves that bounce off body structures

doppler: assess blood flow

echocardiography: measures efficiency of heart valves and heart function

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

uses magnetic field surrounding body and the hydrogen (water) content of body; radio waves energy source; nonionizing.

can project past bone

Nuclear Scanning

track distribution of a radioactive tracer substance in the body

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

radioisotopes w/ scanner and computer to produce a cross-sectional functional image of tissue

biochemical changes in the tissue

Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

assess conduction system of the heart

abnormal patterns assist with diagnosis of myocardial infarctions, cardiac dysrhythmias, electrolyte imbalances, digoxin toxicity

Stress test (exercise ECG)

test cardiac function under increased workload

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

electrical activity in the brain

abnormal patterns may indicate seizure disorders, tumors, or injuries

Spirometry

measures lung volume and capacities

deviations from normal can indicate restrictive or obstructive disorders

CBC

count and characteristics of formed elemets

Hemoglobin

amount of hemoglobin

Glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c)

amount of glucose bound to hemoglobin; blood glucose levels over months

hematocrit (HCT)

percentage of erythrocytes in a specific volume of blood

white blood cell differentiation count

assess proportions of leukocytes, "differential count"

Bone marrow aspiration

used to confirm abnormalities related to production of red blood cells; megaloblastic anemia, leukemia

Blood culture and sensitivity

bacteremia or unknown infection

blood blotting tests

evaluate clotting time or clotting factors

Hemoglobin electrophoresis

detects abnormal hemoglobin

Serum-ferritin levels

amount of iron storage

Arterial blood gas (ABG)

acid-base balance, oxygen levels, serum pH, PO2, PCO2, SO2, carbon dioxide and oxygen content, bicarbonate, base excess or deficity

Immunodiagnostic tests

serum antigen antibody tests

skin tests, scratch tests

Chromosomal and genetic analysis

detect chromosome or genetic abnormalities

paternity testing or forensics

Therapeutic drug monitoring

serum drug levels checked when narrow therapeutic range for drug, risk of toxicity, or severe renal/liver disease

potential drug interactions

Atrophy

a decrease in size of cells, resulting in decreased tissue mass

Hypertrophy

increase in cell size, resulting in enlarged tissue mass

Hyperplasia

increase in cell number, resulting in enlarged tissue mass

Metaplasia

one mature cell type replaced by another mature cell type

Dysplasia

tissue in which cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei are frequently present, rate of mitosis increased

Anaplasia

cells are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and numerous mitotic figures

Neoplasia

"new growth;" tumor; benign (non-spreading) or malignant (can spread/metastasize

Ischemia

decreased oxygenated blood supply due to circulatory obstruction

Hypoxia

decreased oxygen in cells or tissues

Liquefaction necrosis

dead cells liquify due to cellular enzymes; ex. brain tissue

Coagulative necrosis

cell proteins are denatured and cells retain some form for a time after death; ex. myocardial infarction; kidney

Fat necrosis

fatty tissue broken down into fatty acids, causing inflammation; ex. mesentary

Caseous necrosis

form of coagulation necrosis in which a thick, yellowish, "cheesy" substance forms; ex. tuberculosis

Infarction

area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen; loss of tissue function in the area

Gangrene

area of necrotic tissue associated with a lack of blood supply followed by invasion of bacteria