Conditions - Bronze Flashcards
Addison’s Disease
Adrenal insufficiency that results in decreased production of glucocorticoid (which helps regulate cardiovascular function, metabolism, and the body’s response to stress) and mineralcorticoid (which regulates fluids and electrolytes).
Idiopathic autoimmune disease. Most common in females between 30-50 yo.
Hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes. Vitiligo, GI symptoms, syncope, weakness, fatigue, and myalgias.
Appendicitis
Often caused by obstruction or infection of the appendiceal lumen.
Located in lower R quadrant.
May cause nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Symptom duration usually less than 48 hours in adults but may be more in older adults. Pain with percussion, guarding, and rigidity.
Crohn’s Disease
Lining of GI tract becomes inflamed.
Idiopathic but likely an imbalance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mediators in the GI tract. Causes ulcers, hyperemia, and edema. May cause adhesions, fibrosis, thickening, and granulomas/abscesses.
Symptoms are abdominal pain, cramping, and diarrhea. Blood in stool, diminished appetite, and weight loss. May be mild to life-threatening.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Results from abnormally high levels of cortisol, most often due to pituitary or adrenal gland tumor.
Greater prevalence in women with onset between 25-40 yo.
Symptoms include weight gain, purple striae, and ruddy complexion. Increased adipose tissue in face, upper back, torso, and supraclavicular region. Fatigue, depression, emotional lability, excessive hair growth, bruising, and proximal muscle weakness.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticulosis is a benign condition with outpocketings of the colon wall. Due to increased pressure within the colon. If these pockets rupture it can cause diverticulitis, a condition characterized by inflammation or infection of the diverticula. Risk factors include constipation, low fiber diet, obesity, lack of exercise, connective tissue disorder, advanced age.
Can be asymptomatic or experience abdominal pain and tenderness in lower left quadrant, fever, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea.
Electrolyte Imbalances
General symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, decreased urine output, dark urine, dry mouth, decreased perspiration, muscle weakness, cramping, irregular heartbeat, and headache.
Specific symptoms depends on which mineral is involved.
Endometriosis
Endometrial cells that line inside of uterus grow outside of uterine cavity.
Etiology unknown but most accepted theory is retrograde menstruation (menstrual blood flows backwards into fallopian tubes and into pelvic cavity).
Pelvic pain, which worsens during menstruation and can spread to abdomen and low back. May have pain with intercourse, urination or bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, and infertility.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Esophagus has upper and lower esophageal sphincter. A weak or poor functioning lower sphincter may fail to close completely and may allow reflux into esophagus. Can cause irritation to esophageal lining leading to erosion and bleeding.
Heartburn, acid reflux, nausea after eating, feeling that food is trapped in esophagus. Sour taste in mouth, dysphagia, chest pain, dry cough, hoarseness. Symptoms worse with bending, stopping, or supine position and worse at night.
Gout
Form of arthritis resulting from abnormally high uric acid level in the body. Forms needle-like crystals around joints causing inflammation and joint swelling.
Greater incidence among males, often seen in great toe, knee, and ankle. In acute gout, often 1 joint affect; symptoms include pain (severe, throbbing, crushing, or excruciating), redness, and warmth. In chronic gout, multiple joints affected with less intense symptoms; firm, lumpy deposits or uric acid known as tophi form under skin.
Herpes Zoster
Varicella-zoster virus lies dormant within neural tissue. Outbreak/reactivation can occur when the immune system is weakened. Attacks nerve fibers, causing blistered rash.
Begin as unilateral painful itching or burning sensation; numbness or skin sensitivity may also occur. Followed by painful, blistered rash. May also include fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue. Transmission can occur through direct contact with open blisters. Once sores have scabbed over, pt is no longer contagious. Neuralgia may remain, as well as balance, facial paralysis, or vision loss depending on area affected.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Exact etiology unknown, may be due to overgrowth of bacteria in small intestine and altered signaling between brain and GI tract. Triggers include foods, stress, and illness.
Abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, constipation/diarrhea. Chronic condition.
Malabsorption Syndrome
GI tract fails to absorb nutrients from food.
Abdominal distention and bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, steatorrhea (presence of fat in feces), foul-smelling stools, weight loss, weakness, and fatigue are common symptoms.
Metabolic Acidosis
pH of body fluids is abnormally low. Results from overproduction or inadequate excretion of hydrogen ions (H+) or excessive excretion of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).
H+ overproduction often caused by diabetes, alcoholism (ketoacidosis or lactic acidosis); most often caused by impaired kidney function due to inadequate H+ excretion. Excessive secretion of HCO3- may be caused by severe diarrhea.
Tachypnea to induce respiratory alkalosis through hyperventilation. Confusion or lethargy. May also cause tinnitus, cardiac arrhythmia, chest pain, headache, visual changes, vomiting, abdominal pain, generalized weakness, and hyperventilation. Can be acute or chronic and can be fatal if left untreated.
Metabolic Alkalosis
pH of body fluids is elevated. Usually from inadequate excretion of bicarbonate, ingestion of large amounts of bicarbonate (antacids), or excessive excretion of hydroden ions. Usually due to renal dysfunction (inadequate HCO3- excretion) or excessive H+ excretion due to diuretics or vomiting or nasogastric suctioning.
Bradypnea may result as the body tries to regulate acid-base balance, inducing respiratory acidosis through hypoventilation.
In severe cases, causes seizure, tetany, altered mental status, or arrhythmia. Weakness, myalgia, polyuria. May be chronic or acute and fatal if untreated.
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)
Physiologic dysfunction of two or more organs or organ systems. Can be caused by infection, injury, hypermetabolism, or circulatory shock. Leads to sepsis and eventually MODS.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, altered mental function, hyperventilation when sepsis is present.
