Chapter 1 - Core Concepts of Disease Flashcards
disease
body’s deviation from normal or homeostasis
pathology
the study of (logy) diseases (patho)
acute disease
disease that has a rapid onset
Chief Complaint (CC)
main reason the patient sought medical attention
chronic disease
a long term disease
death rate
A statistical measurement of deaths caused by a disease of a certain population over a specific time period.
diagnosis
identifying the disease
etiology
cause or origin of the disease
exacerbation
Acute disease flare up or attack from a chronic condition.
idiopathic
Disease occurring spontaneously with an unknown cause.
metasasize
spread of disease
Morbidity Rate
Statistical measurement of how often a disease occurs in a certain time-frame within a population.
Mortality Rate
Statistical measurement of deaths caused by a disease of a certain population over a specific time period; also known as death rate.
pathogen
any organism causing disease to its host
pathogenic
used to describe organisms that produce disease
PATHOLOGIST
individual that studies disease
prognosis
expected outcome or the prediction of an ailment
relapse
reappearance of the disease or condition
remission
Period where disease is treated successfully and the patient is free of symptoms.
survival rate
Length of time a patient’s lives after being diagnosed with a disease.
terminal
condition or disease resulting in imminent death
airborne transmission
Pathogenic transmission by way of coughing, sneezing, talking and laughing.
biological vector
Animal or insect that spreads pathogen to other hosts by a bite or injection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Agency responsible for recording and tracking diseases not only domestically but abroad.
common vehicle
Any medium such as food or blood that acts as a vehicle to transport pathogens.
communicable
Contagious and spread from one source to another whether it is person-person, animal-person or even an object-person via bacterial or viral microorganisms.
contagious
Potential to cause infection and spread rapidly
direct contact
Making physical contact with another person or body fluids that spreads infection.
endemic
disease found in a certain region or specific population
epidemic
sudden spread of illness to a large amount of people
epidemiology
Study of disease transmission, occurrence, distribution and control for a population.
Healthcare-associated Infection
infection caused by medical intervention
host
the susceptible individual who can harbor pathogen
iatrogenic
Disease caused by medical intervention.
incubation period
Period of pathogen reproduction causing symptoms to occur within the host.
indirect contact
Host coming into contact with a contaminated surface.
infectious
the ability to cause disease
inoculation period
period of pathogen introduction without symptoms
mechanical vector
Pathogen transmitted by an animal or insect simply by coming into contact with a microorganism and then physically transporting it to the host.
mode of transmission
The way a pathogen is transported from the source of infection to the host.
pandemic
Disease affecting the population of a vast geographic area such as a country or possibly worldwide.
pathogenesis
Creation or progression of disease development.
portal of entry
Pathogen point of entry to host such as by way of mouth, eyes, and nose or other mucous membrane.
portal of exit
a point where pathogen leaves the body
the chain of infection
Pathogen point of entry to host such as by way of mouth, eyes, and nose or other mucous membrane.
environment
surrounding in which one lives
hereditary
diseases are passed down from parents to their offspring
lifestyle
the way in which one lives his or her life
auscultation
Pathogen point of entry to host such as by way of mouth, eyes, and nose or other mucous membrane.
direct or closed questioning
Asking questions that require a yes or no answer.
disorder
Describes disruption from the normal functioning of the mind or body. Typically used when a disease is not an appropriate term to describe condition
family history
Interview to identify diseases the patient is susceptible to according to heredity.
History of Present Illness (HPI)
History of the current condition or disease.
inspection
Visually looking for anything out of the norm.
medication history
Listing of all current prescriptions, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements and any adverse drug reactions.
NKA
abbreviation for no known allergies
occupational history
listing of what the patient does or did for a living
open-ended questioning
Asking the patient simple, broad questions that require more than a yes or no to answer.
palpation
Process of touching a patient in an effort to evaluate abnormalities.
Past Medical History (PMH)
Listing of previous medical illnesses and procedures.
patient interview
Process where clinician gathers patient information.
percussion
Tapping with fingers in areas on the body such as the chest, to check body cavities for excess fluid or air.
physical examination
Process of physically examining a patient in a systematic manner.
signs
objective measurements of body functions
social history
Information obtained on the type of lifestyle the patient lives such as marital status, social or frequent drinking history, smoking history, or illicit drug use.
symptoms
Observable subjective states or behaviors that rely on the patient to state how they feel.
syndrome
A particular set of signs and symptoms that when grouped together is indicative or characteristic of a certain disease or disorder.
vital signs
Measured signs that are vital for life; heart rate, respiration rate, blood pressure, and body temperature.
blood glucose
Sugar found in the bloodstream used for energy.
Chest X-Ray (CXR)
Imaging used to examine the thoracic cavity.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Blood sample analyzing types and numbers of cells within the bloodstream
computerized tomography (CT or CAT) scan`
Imaging utilizing x-rays and a computer to produce cross-sectional slices of the body.
culture & sensitivty
Laboratory sample from a patient that grows and identifies the pathogen and tests what drug will kill it.
electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)Recorded display of electrical impulses produced by the heart.
Recorded display of electrical impulses produced by the heart.
electrocardiograph
Instrument used to record heart rhythms.
electrolytes
Minerals dissolved in blood needed by the body to function properly, (calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphate, magnesium, and chloride).
hematocrit (HCT)
Ratio of total cellular volume to total volume of blood.
Hemoglobin (Hgb)`
Protein in the red blood cell that carries oxygen.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Imaging uses magnets and radio waves to produce high resolution images of organs and soft tissue with no radiation exposure to patient.
Patient care plan
Set of steps used to explain patient’s care regarding possible treatments and expected outcomes.
Patient education
Instructing patients in various aspects of their care such as how to properly perform treatments
platelets (PLT)
cellular fragments that clots blood
red blood cells (RBC)
Cells within blood that transport oxygen.
urine analysis (UA)
Testing a urine sample for abnormalities.
urine color
Observing urine color to help identify a disease or dehydration.
urine concentration
Measurement to determine if kidney failure is present.
urine odor
Determining the smell of the urine to help determine presence of illness.
white blood cells (WBC)
Cells within bloodstream that fights infection.
X-Ray
Imaging technique utilized to determine any bone breaks and defects in the body.
gloves
Latex, vinyl, or nitrile; worn to protect hands from coming into contact with any type of patient fluid or mucous membrane secretions.
gowns
Protective garment used to protect clothing and skin from infectious exposures.
masks
Facial covering to protect a clinicians face, nose and mouth from body fluids and secretions.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Clothing and equipment used to prevent bodily fluid contact.
Respirator
Specialized mask used for droplet airway infections.
standard precautions
Set of steps and procedures that protects not only the clinician, but the patient from exposure to infectious microorganisms.
