Class 1: Intro

Question 1

How is health defined? (WHO 2003 definition)

Answer 1

A state of complete mental, physical, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Question 2

How is disease defined? Is it objective or subjective?

Answer 2

A state of diminished health, or a pathological process, that can be detected or diagnosed using medical science. (Objective)

Question 3

What is illness? Is it objective or subjective?

Answer 3

Illness is the human experience of suffering, or the way a person perceives and lives with their disease. (Subjective)

Question 4

List three traits that define an acute disease.

Answer 4

1. Sudden onset
2. Has signs and symptoms related to the progression of the disease
3. Ends within a relatively short time period (usually under 6 months) either in recovery or death

(Lewis p.20)

Question 5

List four traits that define a chronic disease.

Answer 5

1. The onset may be sudden or may present over a long period of time
2. Typically lasts longer than six months
3. Can have multiple causes
4. Goal is to manage disease, not cure it

(Lewis p.22)

Question 6

What is illness behaviour? Give two examples.

Answer 6

Illness behaviour is the way a person responds to and monitors their disease. This also includes how they define and monitor their symptoms.
Eg:
-what medication a person takes
-resources a person uses to cope/heal

Question 7

What is holism?

Answer 7

Treatment that includes the mind, body, and spirit of an individual. This is what nurses aim to provide.

(Lewis p. 130)

Question 8

What is wellness? (Three traits)

Answer 8

1. Good health, as well as the appreciation and enjoyment of it
2. More than just a lack of disease symptoms
3. Mental and physical balance/fitness

Question 9

What is healing?

Answer 9

A process of restoration to optimal functioning or improvement in illness - this is not the same as curing. It’s an individual process involving resiliency and rebalancing of a persons mental/physical/spiritual condition.

Question 10

What is resiliency? (Three points)

Answer 10

1. Ability to cope with stressors
2. Being flexible and resourceful
3. Practicing effective coping and problem-solving strategies

(Lewis p. 136)

Question 11

List three examples of non-modifiable risk factors.

Answer 11

Age, genetics, ethnicity

Question 12

List three examples of modifiable risk factors.

Answer 12

Diet/weight, exercise, use of recreational drugs and alcohol

Question 13

List the five common cell adaptations to injury.

Answer 13

Atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, dysplasia

Question 14

What is atrophy?

Answer 14

Decrease in size or wasting away of a body part or tissue; progressive decline, example: muscles atrophying from lack of use

Question 15

What is hypertrophy?

Answer 15

Excessive growth or development of an organ or part; specifically increase in bulk, example: thickening of muscle fibres

Question 16

What is hyperplasia?

Answer 16

An abnormal or unusual increase in the elements composing a part, example prostatic hyperplasia

Question 17

What is metaplasia?

Answer 17

Transformation of one tissue into another, example: metaplasia of cartilage into bone

Question 18

What is dysplasia?

Answer 18

Abnormal growth or development resulting in abnormal anatomical structure

Question 19

What is pathophysiology?

Answer 19

The study of normal physiological processes altered by disease.

Question 20

What is the difference between anatomy and physiology?

Answer 20

Anatomy is the structure of body parts and their relation to each other. Physiology refers to the function of body parts, i.e. how they work and carry out their activities.

Question 21

What are the five principles of holistic nursing?

Answer 21

1. The nurse accepts patients compassionately and without judgement
2. The nurse’s care is based on holism (integrates mind-body-spirit principles)
3. The nurse serves as a facilitator (recognizes patient’s capacity for self-healing)
4. The nurse incorporates self-care and self-responsibility
5. The nurse’s practice is guided by holistic education and research

(Lewis p. 203)

Question 22

What is health equity?

Answer 22

Health equity occurs when people are able to achieve their full health potential. It is the absence of unfair systems and policies that lead to health inequality.

(Lewis p.22)

Question 23

What is health inequity/health disparity?

Answer 23

Health inequality refers to the differences in the health status of individuals and groups as a result of factors such as:

• biological and genetic makeup
• physical environments
• actions of the health care system
• broad social and economic issues

Generally refers to inequalities that result from unfair, unjust, and modifiable factors.

(Lewis p. 22)

Question 24

What is “empowerment” as it relates to illness behaviour?

Answer 24

Empowerment focuses on the individual’s capacity to make decisions about their health and the level of control they have related to health.

Question 25

What is stereotyping?

Answer 25

Stereotyping occurs when members of a specific marginalized group are assumed to have characteristics associated with that group.

Question 26

What are the four fundamental tenets cultural competence?

Answer 26

1. The need to be aware of and address one’s own assumptions about other people
2. The importance of seeking out similarities and differences in individuals and groups in order to be responsive to their varying needs
3. The importance of addressing the power dynamics that lead to inequality and social exclusion
4. Promoting inclusivity and self-determination of goals for individuals and communities

Question 27

What is Traditional Healing?energetic therapies; or physical/hands on techniques

Answer 27

Traditional healing refers to health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating First Nations healing and wellness while using ceremonies; plant, animal or mineral-based medicines; energetic therapies; or physical/hands on techniques