Chapter 1: Terms

Question 1

Modifiable Risk Factor

Answer 1

A risk factor that the individual can change, such as diet or smoking.

Question 2

Injury

Answer 2

Damage caused to the body by an external force.

Question 3

Hypertension

Answer 3

A condition in which systolic blood pressure is higher than normal, which is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Question 4

Sign

Answer 4

An objective indication of disease that is observable on physical assessment.

Question 5

Pathophysiology

Answer 5

The study of functional alterations that occur at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ system levels that are involved in disease states.

Question 6

Risk factor

Answer 6

Anything that puts a person at a greater risk for developing a particular disease.

Question 7

Prevalence

Answer 7

The number of people in a specific population who have a certain disease or condition at a point in time or during a period of time.

Question 8

Ischemia

Answer 8

A restriction of blood supply in the tissues that causes a shortage of oxygen and glucose needed for cellular metabolism.

Question 9

Morbidity

Answer 9

A departure from physiologic or psychologic well-being, encompassing disease, injury, and disability.

Question 10

Mortality

Answer 10

The number of deaths in a given population.

Question 11

Pathogenesis

Answer 11

The sequence of events in response to one or more etiologic agents involving structural and/or functional alterations in cells, tissues, or organs that result in disease.

Question 12

Evidence-based practice (EBP)

Answer 12

The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in patient care decision making; includes integrating clinical expertise with consideration paid to the patient’s values and preferences.

Question 13

Syndrome

Answer 13

A collection of symptoms associated with a particular disease.

Question 14

Public health

Answer 14

The science of protecting and improving the health of families and communities through promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention, and detection and control of infectious diseases

Question 15

Idiopathic

Answer 15

Any disease or condition for which the etiology cannot be determined.

Question 16

Incidence

Answer 16

The number of new cases of a disease or condition that occur during a specified period of time in a population that is at risk for developing the disease or condition.

Question 17

Symptom

Answer 17

A subjective sensation indicative of disease that is perceived by the affected individual but not observable on physical examination.

Question 18

Illness

Answer 18

The presence of a disease or other disruption of normative function.

Question 19

Iatrogenic

Answer 19

The etiology of conditions that are caused unintentionally by a treatment or diagnostic procedure or an error caused by a healthcare provider.

Question 20

Pathology

Answer 20

A medical discipline focused on structural alterations in tissues and organs.

Question 21

Exacerbation

Answer 21

An increase in the severity or intensity of a disease.

Question 22

Disease

Answer 22

An impairment of some functional ability that results in the appearance of symptoms.

Question 23

Clinical manifestations

Answer 23

The signs and symptoms typically associated with a disease state, including alterations in diagnostic tests such as imaging studies and biochemical analyses of bodily fluids.

Question 24

Nonmodifiable risk factor

Answer 24

A risk factor that an individual cannot change, such as age, race, and genetic variables.

Question 25

Health

Answer 25

A state of normative physiologic or psychologic function.

Question 26

Epigenomics

Answer 26

The area of study that focuses on the complete set of modifications to cellular DNA. The study of the chemical compounds that instruct the genome where and when genes are expressed within a cell.

Question 27

Epidemiology

Answer 27

A field of study that investigates the occurrence and patterns of health and disease.

Question 28

Remission

Answer 28

A reduction or abatement of disease over a particular period of time.

Question 29

Genetics

Answer 29

The study of individual genes and their impact on inheritance and single-gene and chromosomal disorders.

Question 30

Genomics

Answer 30

The area of study that focuses on the complete set of modifications to cellular DNA. The study of the chemical compounds that instruct the genome where and when genes are expressed within a cell.

Question 31

Etiology

Answer 31

The cause of a disease or injury.

Question 32

Disorder

Answer 32

A synonym for disease, more commonly used in relation to psychologic health; can refer to lasting physiologic consequences resulting from a disease.