Ch 20 - Endocrine - Vocab

Question 1

acidosis

Answer 1

The buildup of excess acid in the blood or body tissues that can result from a primary illness.

Question 2

diabetes mellitus

Answer 2

A metabolic disorder in which the ability to metabolize carbohydrates (sugars) is impaired, usually because of a lack of insulin.

Question 3

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Answer 3

A form of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetes in which certain acids accumulate when insulin is not available.

Question 4

endocrine glands

Answer 4

Glands that secrete or release chemicals that are used inside the body.

Question 5

endocrine system

Answer 5

The complex message and control system that integrates many body functions, including the release of hormones.

Question 6

glucose

Answer 6

One of the basic sugars; it is the primary fuel, in conjunction with oxygen, for cellular metabolism.

Question 7

hematology

Answer 7

The study and prevention of blood-related disorders.

Question 8

hemophilia

Answer 8

A hereditary condition in which the patient lacks one or more of the blood’s normal clotting factors.

Question 9

hormones

Answer 9

Substances formed in specialized organs or glands and carried to another organ or group of cells in the same organism; they regulate many body functions, including metabolism, growth, and body temperature.

Question 10

hyperglycemia

Answer 10

An abnormally high blood glucose level.

Question 11

hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)

Answer 11

A life-threatening condition resulting from high blood glucose that typically occurs in older adults and which causes altered mental status, dehydration, and organ damage.

Question 12

hypoglycemia

Answer 12

An abnormally low blood glucose level.

Question 13

insulin

Answer 13

A hormone produced by the islets of Langerhans (endocrine gland located throughout the pancreas) that enables glucose in the blood to enter cells; used in synthetic form to treat and control diabetes mellitus.

Question 14

Kussmaul respirations

Answer 14

Deep, rapid breathing; usually the result of an accumulation of certain acids when insulin is not available in the body.

Question 15

polydipsia

Answer 15

Excessive thirst that persists for long periods despite reasonable fluid intake; often the result of excessive urination.

Question 16

polyphagia

Answer 16

Excessive eating; in diabetes, the inability to use glucose properly can cause a sense of hunger.

Question 17

polyuria

Answer 17

The passage of an unusually large volume of urine in a given period; in diabetes, this can result from the wasting of glucose in the urine.

Question 18

sickle cell disease

Answer 18

A hereditary disease that causes normal, round red blood cells to become oblong, or sickle shaped.

Question 19

symptomatic hyperglycemia

Answer 19

A state of unconsciousness resulting from several problems, including ketoacidosis, dehydration because of excessive urination, and hyperglycemia.

Question 20

symptomatic hypoglycemia

Answer 20

Severe hypoglycemia resulting in changes in mental status.

Question 21

thrombophilia

Answer 21

A tendency toward the development of blood clots as a result of an abnormality of the system of coagulation.

Question 22

thrombosis

Answer 22

A blood clot, either in the arterial or venous system.

Question 23

type 1 diabetes

Answer 23

An autoimmune disorder in which the individual’s immune system produces antibodies to the pancreatic beta cells, and therefore the pancreas cannot produce insulin; onset in early childhood is common.

Question 24

type 2 diabetes

Answer 24

A condition in which insulin resistance develops in response to increased blood glucose levels; can be managed by exercise and diet modification, but is often managed by medications.

Question 25

vasoocclusive crisis

Answer 25

Ischemia and pain caused by sickle-shaped red blood cells that obstruct blood flow to a portion of the body.