Acute Illnesses Flashcards
Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
strep pharyngitis and otitis media
Strep pharyngitis
bacterial infection that causes soreness, redness, and swelling of the throat as well as fever; treated with antibiotics
Otitis Media
viral or bacterial infection of the middle ear (or eardrum) that causes fluid buildup, redness, ear pain, swelling, and decreased hearing and sensation; usually resolves itself but antibiotics are prescribed if symptoms last longer than 48 hours
Musculoskeletal System
back pain, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease (ddd), extremities
Bulging Discs
bulging meaning slipped, herniated or protruding; an injury or movement causes the spine’s intervertebral disc to become misaligned and bulge out, which pinches and pushes nerves causing chronic pain; treated with medication for the pain or surgery to remove bulging discs
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)
deterioration in the cushioning between discs; treated with medication for pain and inflammation or surgery to remove damaged fragments and replace with artificial cushioning
The Extremities
arms and legs getting injured doing extreme things typically broken bones; dx by x-rays or MRI to check joint and nerves; treated with pain and inflammation management but typically heal on their own
Genitourinary System (GU)
urinary tract infection (UTI), ectopic pregnancy, torsion
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
typically caused by the urethra being exposed to bacteria that then travels up to the bladder causing dysuria, pain in the lower abdomen/bladder region, and hematuria; treated with antibiotics
Ectopic Pregnancy
the egg attaches to the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus causing vaginal bleeding and abdomen or pelvic pain; treated with medication or surgical removal of the egg; risk factors include past ectopic pregnancies, sexual infections, past tubal surgeries, smoking, past use of an IUD, and fertility treatments
Torsions
twisting of sexual organs (ovaries or testes) cutting off blood supply; treated with surgery to unravel the knot
Integumentary System
the skin; cellulitis, abscess, rash
Cellulitis
the cells of the skin become infected by bacteria causing redness, inflammation, warmth, pain, and induration; treated with antibiotics
Abscess
bacterial infection of the skin with underlying pus accumulation causing redness, warmth, induration, inflammation, and fluctuance; treated with antibiotics and incision and drainage (I&D)
Rash
can be caused by chronic conditions, contact with irritants, insect bites, and infections (fungal, bacterial, viral, or parasitic); causes redness and/or raised bumps on the skin; treated with antihistamines
Causes of Abdominal Pain
C. Diff Colitis, gastroenteritis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis
C. Diff Colitis
opportunistic bacteria that causes persistent diarrhea
Gastroenteritis
vomiting and diarrhea; “GI Bug” often bacterial or viral
Crohn’s Disease
immune disorder causing diarrhea and abdominal pain
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
chronically sensitive bowels prone to diarrhea
Gastritis
irritated stomach with vomiting; “stomach ache”
Non-Cardiac Causes of Chest Pain
pericarditis, pleurisy, costochondritis, chest wall pain, pleural effusion
Pericarditis
inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart causing CP
Pleurisy
inflammation of the sac surrounding the lungs causing pleuritic CP
