Chapter 1 - Introduction to Pathophysiology Flashcards
Define Pathophysiology
A convergence of pathology and physiology that seeks to explain the physiological processes /mechanisms associated with or resulting from disease/injury
Define:
1) Pathology
2) Physiology
1) A medical discipline that describes conditions typically observed during a disease state
2) A biological discipline that describes processes/mechanisms operating within an organism
Define Pathobiology
The study or practice of pathology with greater emphasis on the biological aspects than on the medical aspects
Define etiology then name/explain the 3 categories
Studies the causative agents (contributing factors) that cause disease = why a disease happens.
1) Causative - what causes the disorder and how to proceeds
2) Predisposing - intensifies and promotes effects of causative factors (ex. age, sex, lifestyle, environment, heredity, preventitive health care)
3) Precipitating (triggers predisposition)
What are the 4 etiological causative factors?
Micro-organism, environmental, social factors, personal habits
What are extrinsic (environmental) etiological factors?
Biological, physical and chemical factors, and nutritional imbalance
Define the 4 intrinsic (internal body) etiological factors.
1) Genetic: Genes are responsible for structural or functional defects
2) Congenital: Genetic information is intact but intrauterine environment interferes with development
3) Immunological (N/A)
4) Psychological factors (N/A)
Define the 5 Etiological Classifications of Disease
1) Idiopathic: Unknown cause
2) Iatrogenic: The cause is resulting from unintended or unwanted medical treatment
3) Genetic: Genetic cause
4) Congenital: Cause interferes with intrauterine development
5) Acquired: Cause encountered after birth (i.e. biological, physical, chemical factors)
Define Pathogenesis and explain the 3 general rule(s)
- Sequence of events in the development of (evolution) of a disease = Etiological > Physiological > Clinical Manifestations
1) Damage and Anti-Damage Responses - damages occur when harmful insults attack the body and anti-damage responses occur to restore the body to its normal situation
2) Alternation of Cause and Result - Cause of the disease can produce a result, and in turn the result can produce another cause of the evolution of the disease
3) Local-Systemic Relationship - Diseases are generally systemic, whereas, local pathological alterations caused by insults are representatives of systemic diseases
Define clinical manifestations and distinguish between a sign, symptom, and syndrome
- Indications that the person is sick
- Sign: Objective or observed manifestation of disease (measurable traits)
- Symptoms: Subjective feeling of abnormality in the body (non-measurable)
- Syndrome: etiology of signs/symptoms has not been determined (combination of sign/symptoms associated with particular disease)
Define Latent/Incubation Period
Time between exposure of tissue to injurious agent and first appearance of sign and/or symptom
Define Prodromal Period
Time during which first sign and/or symptoms appear indicating onset of disease
- If nothing is done = proceeds to acute phase
Define Acute Phase
Disease/illness reaches its full intensity
- Important to reach diagnosis
Define Subclinical Stage
Patient functions normally; disease processes are well established
Define the 2 Clinical Courses
1) Acute: Short-lived; may have severe manifestation
2) Chronic: may last months-years; sometimes follows acute course
- Disease itself can be chronic but can have acute episodes (ex. cancer or depression)
Define exacerbation
A sudden increase in severity of disease or signs or symptoms
Define remission
Decrease in severity, signs, symptoms; may indicate disease is cured
- Ex. Cancer - why? - after 10 years it has the change of re-occuring (in remission)
Define Convalescence
Stage of recovery after a disease, injury, or surgical procedure
Define sequela
A subsequent pathologic condition resulting from an illness
- Ex. Scar from surgery - it is permanent
Define Complication
A new or separate process that may arise secondarily because of some change produced by the original problem
- Ex. Flu leaves you with a decreased immune response; exposure to bacteria will become problematic and secondary bacteria can cause complications
What are treatment implications?
The understanding of the etiological, pathogenesis, and clinical consequences of a particular disorder/disease/illness may determine which treatments could be helpful
List and define the levels of prevention
1) Primary: altering susceptibility or reducing exposure for susceptible persons
- Ex. vaccines
2) Secondary: early detection, screening, and management of disease
- Ex. Annual checkup
3) Tertiary: rehabilitation, supportive care, and restoring effective functioning
- Ex. Patients who previously suffered a disease/condition and come in for support/further treatment
What are the synonyms for the term pathophysiology?
- Physiopathology
- Physiology of Disease
- Physiology of Disordered Function
What are the 5 mechanisms of pathogenesis?
- Neural Mechanism: The neural system is regulating entire life activities - disorders in CNS affect responding PNS
- Humoral Mechanism: Factors include hormones, cytokynes, and chemical mediators
- Cellular Mechanism
- Molecular Mechanism
