Pathophysiology

Study of functional (physiological) changes in the body resulting from disease

Disease

Deviation from normal structure or function of the body or a state of wellness

Homeostasis

The body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions

Primary Prevention

Don't develop the disease! Education on disease risk factors and prevent acquiring disease.

Secondary Prevention

After disease or serious risk factors for disease development. Goal to halt or slow progression of disease in early stages (if possible.)

Tertiary Prevention

Management of chronic health problems. Prevent further deterioration and improve quality of life.

What is the purpose of Patient Medical History?

Obtains info on patient's health status and assess implications of health status for planning and implementing health care interventions.

Diagnosis

Identification of a specific disease using signs, symptoms, and diagnostic tests

Etiology

Cause or causative factors of a disease

Idiopathic

Disease with no known cause

Iatrogenic

Disease caused by medical treatment, procedure, or error

Predisposing factor

A condition that increases the risk factor and likelihood of developing a disease

Prophylaxis

Measures taken to prevent disease or its spread

Prevention

Actions aimed at reducing the risk or progression of disease

Pathogenesis

The sequence of events in the development of a disease

Onset of disease

The time when disease manifestations begin (acute/sudden or insidious/gradual)

Acute

Short-term disease with rapid onset

Chronic

Long-term or persistent disease

Subclinical

Disease state with pathological changes but few or no symptoms

Latent period

Interval between exposure and onset of symptoms

Prodromal period

Early stage of disease with vague, nonspecific symptoms

Manifestations

Signs and symptoms of disease; local at site of problem or systemic

Signs

Objective indicators of disease observed by others

Symptoms

Subjective experiences reported by the patient

Lesion

Specific local change in tissue caused by disease

Syndrome

Group of signs and symptoms that occur together

Course of disease

The progression of disease over time

Remission

Period when disease manifestations decrease or disappear

Exacerbation

Worsening or flare-up of disease manifestations

Precipitating factor

A condition that triggers the onset of an acute episode

Complication

Secondary problem that arises after the initial disease

Therapy / Therapeutic intervention

Treatment measures used to promote recovery or slow disease progression

Sequelae

Long-term or permanent consequences of a disease

Convalescence / Rehabilitation

Period of recovery and return toward normal health

Prognosis

Predicted outcome or likelihood of recovery

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 to determine cause of death

Epidemiology

Study of disease patterns in populations

Incidence

Number of new cases in a population during a specific time period

Prevalence

Total number of existing cases in a population at a given time

Epidemic

Occurrence of disease above expected levels in a population

Pandemic

Worldwide epidemic

Communicable disease

Disease that can be transmitted from person to person

Notifiable / Reportable disease

Disease that must be reported to public health authorities

Endoscopic Examination

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

Radiograph/X-ray film

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

Computed Tomography (CT Scan)

360^o x-rays in series of shots that uses ionizing radiation.

Ultrasound

High frequency sound waves that bounce off body structures.

Doppler Ultrasound

Assesses blood flow

Echocardiography

Measures efficiency of heart valves, function, and blood flow.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Uses magnetic field surrounding body and hydrogen (water) content of body; radio waves energy source; nonionizing. Can project past bone.

Nuclear Scanning

Track distribution of a radioactive tracer substance injected in the body that interacts with various structures in a way to highlight areas of interest.

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)

Assesses conduction/electrical system of the heart. Abnormal patterns assist with diagnosis of myocardial infarctions, cardiac dysrhythmias, electrolyte imbalances, and 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 volumes and capacities. Deviations from normal can indicate restrictive or obstructive disorders.

Complete blood count (CBC)

Count and characteristics of formed elements.

Hemoglobin (Hgb)

Amount of hemoglobin (part that transports oxygen.)

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 differential count

Assess proportions of leukocytes, "differential count"

Bone marrow aspiration

Used to confirm abnormalities related to production of red blood cells in the marrow, megaloblastic anemia, leukemia

Blood culture and sensitivity

Bacteremia or unknown infection

Blood clotting tests

Evaluate clotting time or clotting factors

Hemoglobin electrophoresis

Detects abnormal hemoglobin by isolating the hemoglobin protein itself

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 deficit.

Serum hormone levels

Determines whether there are deficiencies in hormone secretion

Lipid levels

Cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL).

Serum electrolytes

Na+, K+, Magnesium levels, Ca+

Serum enzymes or isoenzymes

Might indicate damage to some part of the body

Serum levels of bilirubin

Showcases appropriate liver function

Serum antigen antibody tests

Determines if you had exposure to certain diseases in the past or currently have an ongoing infection

Skin tests, scratch tests

Immune responses, allergies

Urinalysis

Physical and chemical characteristics of freshly collected urine sample, specific gravity, microscopic examination, creatinine clearance

Atrophy

Decrease in cell size = decreased tissue mass

Hypertrophy

Increase in cell size= enlarged tissue mass

Hyperplasia

Increase in cell number= enlarged tissue mass

Metaplasia

One mature cell type replaced by another mature cell type

Dysplasia

Tissue in which differentiated cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei are frequently present, and 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)

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death

Necrosis

Death of one or more cells (portion of tissue or organ) due to irreversible damage

Ischemia

Decreased oxygenated blood supply due to circulatory obstruction

Hypoxia

Decreased oxygen in cells or tissues

Pyroptosis

Lysis of cell, releasing contents causing inflammatory response and damage to nearby cells. Diagnostic tests can look for cellular enzymes in blood.

Liquefaction necrosis

Dead cells liquify due to cellular enzymes

Coagulative necrosis

cell proteins are denatured and cells retain some form for a time after death

Fat necrosis

Fatty tissue broken down into fatty acids, causing inflammation

Caseous necrosis

Form of coagulation necrosis in which a thick, yellowish, "cheesy" substance forms

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

Wet Gangrene

Liquefaction causing tissue to become cold, swollen, and black

Dry Gangrene

Coagulative necrosis, tissue dries, shrinks, and blackens

Gas Gangrene

Buildup of gases further reducing blood supply