Disease Process and Terminology Flashcards
Black Death (the plague)
- one of the most devastating pandemics in human history killing ~25 million in 5 years
- arrived in Europe in October 1347
- ill were covered in black boils that ooze blood and pus
- caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, transmitted through fleas and can be killed with antibiotics
Health
the condition in which the human body preforms it vital functions normally
homeostasis
stable internal condition –> maintains temperature, pH, blood composition, fluid levels within a precise range
disease
disturbance in homeostasis –> deviation from normal structure/function in the body
pathology
the study of disease, specially the structural and functional changes associated with disease
–> includes study of : causes, mechanisms, signs and symptoms, treatments, and prevention
pathologist
a physician who studies and interprets the changes caused by disease
signs
evidence of disease observed on physical examination (ex. abnormal pulse)
symptoms
indications of disease reported by patient (ex.pain, dizziness)
asymptomatic disease
disease that causes no signs or symptoms
syndrome
abnormal structure or function characterized by a group of signs and symptoms that usually occur together
disorder
functional abnormality not necessarily linked to a specific cause or physical abnormality. Can be accompanied with specific signs and symptoms
diagnosis
the process of identifying a disease or disorder, using several types of info (ex. ss)
physical exam
includes:
- inspection
- palpation
- ascultation
- percussion
- vital signs
inspection
refers to a visual examinaron of the external surface of the body, movements, posture
palpation
feeling the body with fingers/hands to examine size, consistency, texture, location and tenderness
auscultation
listening to lungs, heart, intestines allows evaluation of frequency, intensity, duration, number, and quality of sounds
percussion
producing sounds by tapping on specific area of body the evaluate size, consistency, border of body organs, presence/absence of fluid in areas
vital signs
measure of various physiological statistics in order to assess basic body functions
biopsy
surgical removal and analysis of tissue samples to give info on cellular level
Imaging technologies
ex. electrocardiography (heart electrical impulses), radiography (x-rays), computer tomography/CT scan (30D images of internal structure), magnetic resonance imaging/MRI (magnetic field that creates internal images), ultrasound (interaction of low-frequency sound waves with tissue), nuclear medicine (radioactive materials to create contrast in body and help form images)
prognosis
the disease’s predicted course and outcome. may state the chances for complete recovery, predict permanent loss of function, or give probability for survival
acute disease
a sudden onset and short duration (ex. flu)
terminal disease
disease that will end in death
chronic disease
- slower, less severe onset and a long duration (ex. cancer)
- account for 7/10 deaths in US, 6/10 deaths worldwide