Chapter 18 Flashcards
Common Chronic and Acute Conditions
Acute
Severe symptoms that last a relatively short time
Chronic
Long-term, less severe symptoms that can be managed, but periods of severity can occur
Scabies
Contagious condition in which mites burrow into the skin and lay eggs. Can be spread through direct contact; itching and skin rash are common symptoms
Shingles
Herpes zoster. Pain, tingling, and itching can occur and develop into a rash of fluid-filled blisters. Not contagious, but may give chickenpox to someone who has never had it.
Wounds
Type of injury to the skin; either open or closed. Include incisions, lacerations, abrasions, puncture wounds, contusions, and hematomas.
Dermatitis
General term referring to skin inflammation. Includes atopic dermatitis (eczema) and stasis dermatitis
Stasis Dermatitis
Mostly affects lower legs and ankles; occurs as a result of fluid buildup under the skin
Fungal Infections
Fungi include mushrooms, mold, and yeasts (Candida). Imbalances cause fungal infections, which can include athlete’s foot and vaginal yeast infections. Tinea is another example of a fungi.
Tinea
“Ringworm.” Red, ring-like patches on the skin
Arthritis
Inflammation or swelling of the joints. May be the result of aging, injury, or autoimmune disease
Autoimmune Illness
Immune system attacks normal tissues
Osteoarthritis
Common in the elderly. Occurs with aging or joint injury and the hips and knees are normally affected and pain/stiffness can increase with cold and damp weather.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Can occur at any age. Characterized by red, swollen, and very painful joints starting with smaller joints and progressing to larger ones. Movement is eventually restricted. Fever, fatigue, and weight loss are also symptoms.
How can rheumatoid arthritis be treated?
Anti-inflammatory medication, local heat application, ROM exercises, regular activity routine, and diet to reduce weight or maintain strength
Osteoporosis
Makes bones porous and brittle. May be caused by age, lack of hormones, lack of calcium in bones, alcohol consumption, or lack of exercise. More common in women after menopause. Stooped posture, becoming shorter over time, and low back pain are common symptoms.
Closed Fracture
Broken bone that does not break the skin
Open (Compound) Fracture
Broke bone that penetrates the skin
The NA should _______ the extremity that has a cast to prevent swelling.
Elevate
A wet cast can be placed on a ______ to prevent altering its shape as it dries
Pillow
Why should casts be kept dry?
Loose casts lose their shape.
Fractures can be caused by injuries or ____________.
Osteoporosis
Should the NA perform ROM exercises on the side of the hip after a hip replacement?
No. Not unless directed by a nurse
After a hip replacement, which side should you dress first?
The affected/weaker side.
When preparing to transfer the resident from the bed, _____________________.
Place a pillow between the thighs to keep the legs separated.
Prosthesis
A device that replaces a body part that is missing or deformed
Knee Replacement
Insertion of a prosthetic knee
What are compression stockings?
Stockings applied to the leg and hooked to a machine, which inflates and deflates to act as a muscle normally would
What are ankle pumps?
Simple exercises to promote blood circulation to the legs
Muscular Dystrophy
An inherited disease in which muscles gradually waste away and deformity and weakness occur.
Amputation
The removal of some or all of a body part
Phantom Sensation
Pain in apart that has been amputated; caused by remaining nerve endings and is real.
Complementary Medicine
Treatments used in addition to conventional treatments prescribed by doctors
Alternative Medicine
Practices and treatments used instead of conventional methods
CVA (Cerebrovascular Accident/Stroke)
Caused when blood supply to the brain is cut off suddenly
Residents recovering from strokes may have ________ or ______ therapy.
Physical; speech
Should you stand on the weaker or stronger side of the patient when ambulating?
Weaker; lead with the stronger side and support the weaker (involved) side
Parkinson’s Disease
A progressive disease that causes a section of the brain to degenerate and muscles to become stiff. Stooped posture, tremors, shaking, “pill-rolling,” mask-like facial expression, and shuffling gate are all symptoms.
Multiple Sclerosis
Progressive disease affecting CNS; protective sheath on the nerves, spine, and white matter of the brain breaks down, injuring nerves’ ability to communicate. Progresses slowly and unpredictably.
Paresis
Paralysis or weakness in one part or side of the body
Paraplegia
Loss of function of the lower body and legs
Quadriplegia
Inability to use legs, trunk, and arms
Epilepsy
An illness of the brain that causes seizures
What should you do if a resident is having a seizure?
Loosen clothing, place a pillow behind their head, do not restrain them notice the time the seizure begins, and move furniture away to prevent injury.
Cataract
Lens of the eye becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred and dim vision before eventual loss of vision.
Glaucoma
Pressure in the eye increases, which eventually damages the retina and optic nerve and causes blindness
What blood pressure does a person have to have to be considered as having hypertension?
140/90
Atherosclerosis
Narrowing and hardening of blood vessels
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Blood vessels that supply the heart narrow and deprives the heart of oxygen and nutrients
Angina Pectoris
Chest pain, pressure, or discomfort
Nitroglycerin
A medication dissolved under the tongue that helps to relax the walls of the coronary arteries, allowing them to open and get more blood flow
Myocardial Infarction
Blood flow to the heart is blocked, and so waste products are not removed and the heart does not get the nutrients it needs, causing cells to die
Congestive Heart Failure
Blood backs up in the heart instead of circulating; can occur on one or both sides of the heart
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
The legs, feet, arms, or hands do not have enough blood circulation due to fatty deposits in the blood vessels that harden overtime.
Anti-embolic Hose
Stockings worn to prevent swelling and blood clots and to aid circulation. They are put on before the resident gets out of bed.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic disease in which the patient has trouble breathing
Bronchitis
Irritation and inflammation of the lining of the bronchi that leads to coughing, breathlessness, and wheezing; often caused by smoking
Emphysema
Chronic lung disease that can result from chronic bronchitis and smoking. Symptoms include trouble breathing, breathlessness, coughing, and fast heartbeat
Pneumonia
Illness in which acute inflammation occurs in the lung tissues. Symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, greenish or yellow sputum, chest pains, and rapid pulse
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are grouped under __________________.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Asthma
Chronic inflammatory disease in which the respiratory system is hyperreactive to irritants, infection, cold air, or allergens, causing bronchi to become irritated and constrict.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchial tubes are abnormally enlarged and chronic coughing results in the production of thick white or green sputum
Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)
Commonly called a cold. Result of a bacterial or viral infection in the sinuses
Tuberculosis (TB)
Highly contagious lung disease. Symptoms include coughing, low grade fever, SOB, weight loss, and fatigue
______ can be collected to help diagnose respiratory problems, illness, or evaluate the effects of medication. _____ _______ is the best time to collect these specimens.
Sputum; Early morning
Diabetes Mellitus
Body does not create enough or properly use insulin
Insulin
Hormone that converts glucose (sugar) into energy for the body
Type 1 Diabetes
Body does not produce enough insulin and can be diagnosed in childhood and young adulthood
Type 2 Diabetes
Adult-onset diabetes; most common. Body does not create enough or properly use insulin (“insulin resistance”). Develops slower and is usually more mild
Pre-Diabetes
Person’s blood glucose levels are above normal, but not high enough to be consider Type 2 diabetes
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnant women with high blood glucose during pregnancy
Why is foot care important for people with diabetes?
Irritation and sores can quickly progress in diabetic people due to poor circulation
Hyperthyroidism
Too much thyroid hormone is produced, leading to nervousness, weight loss, and hyperactivity
Hypothyroidism
Too little thyroid hormone is produced, leading to weight gain and physical and mental sluggishness.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and Infections (STIs)
Venereal diseases; diseases passed through sexual contact with an infected person. Can be reduced by using condoms
Chlamydia
Infection cause by organisms in the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract that can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID, which can also lead to sterility). May cause burning during urination and yellow or white discharge
Syphilis
Can be treated effectively in early stages, but can lead to brain damage, mental illness, and death if left untreated. More easily detectable in men than women due to chancres (open sores)
Gonorrhea
Easier to detect in men. Can lead to sterility in both men and women, and women often show no early symptoms.
Herpes Simplex 2
Caused by a virus. A person cannot be cured from it and may experience outbreaks of red painful sores for the rest of their life.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
Occurs in men as they age. The prostate becomes enlarged and puts pressure on the urethra, leading to frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, and dribbling of urine.
Vaginitis
Infection of the vagina caused by bacteria, protozoa, or fungus. Symptoms include white vaginal discharge and itching and burning
Douches
A solution put into the vagina to medicate or relieve discomfort
HIV
Attacks the body’s immune system and can lead to AIDS. It is a STD. The first stage of symptoms resembles the flu. Eventually, the immune system is weakened so that the person is more susceptible to diseases and becomes AIDS.
AIDS Dementia Complex
May cause memory loss, confusion, poor coordination, and paralysis.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Illness caused by HIV
