Diseases Flashcards
Clostridium Difficile
Bacteria that can cause swelling and irritation of the large intestine, or colon. This inflammation, known as colitis, can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
Define cancer
“Uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells”
What are some risk factors for melanoma?
Positive family history prior melanoma Multiple of unusual moles Fair complexion Excessive sun or tanning booth exposure
Warning signs for skin cancer mnemonic
A - Asymmetry
B - border irregularity - blurred, notched, ragid
C - Colour - pigmentation not uniform
D - diameter - greater in size than pencil eraser
Disorders of the ear can result from:
Mechanical dysfunction (blockage) Trauma (noise exposure, foreign bodies) Neurological disorders (auditory nerve damage) Acute illness (viral infection) Toxic effects of medication
Risks for a hearing problem in infants and children:
Hypoxia at birth Meningitis Birth eight less that 1500g Family history Congenital abnormalities of skull or face Nonbacterial intrauterine infections (rubella, herpes) Maternal drug use High bilirubin Head trauma
Signs of oxygenation problems
Reduced mental alertness
Nasal flaring
Somnolence (sleepiness)
Cyanosis
What are abnormal lung sounds caused by?
Air passing through moisture, mucus or narrowed airways.
From alveoli suddenly reinflating
Inflammation between the pleural linings
The four types adventitious (abnormal) lung sounds are:
Crackles - sudden reinflation of groups of alveoli, disruptive passage of air through small airways
Rhonchi - (sonorous wheeze) - muscular spasm, fluid, mucus in airways, external pressure
Wheezes - High-velocity airflow through severely narrowed or obstructed airway - high-pitched like a squeak heard continuously, louder on expiration
Pleural friction rub - inflamed pleua - dry, rubbing, grating sound.
Symptoms of heart disease
Chest pain or discomfort Palpitations Excess fatigue Cough Dyspnea (shortness of breath) leg pain or cramps Edema of feet Cyanosis Fainting Orthopnea - shortness of breath when lying flat
Pulse deficit
The radial pulse is slower than the apical pulse because ineffective contractions fail to send pulse waves to the periphery.
Symptoms of vascular disease
Let cramps, numbness or tingling in extremities, sensation of cold hands or feet, pain in legs, swelling or cyanosis of feet, ankles or hand
Phlebitis
Inflammation of a vein that occurs commonly after trauma to the vessel wall, infection, immobilization and prolonged insertion of IV catheters. Promotes clot formation, which can become dislodged and travel to the heart.
Risk factors for BP fluctuations:
Circulatory shock Preeclampsia of pregnancy Acute or chronic pain Rapid IV infusion of blood products or fluid Increased intracranial pressure Postoperative status
Assess a patient at risk for high blood pressure for these signs and symptoms:
Fatigue
Facial flushing
Nosebleed
Headache
Low blood pressure signs and symptoms
Dizziness Mental confusion Restlessness Cool, mottled skin over extremeties Cyanotic color of mucus membranes
What should a patient have not done 30 mins before BP exam?
Smoked, ingested caffeine, exercised
Signs of decreased perfusion in extremeties:
Change is skin colour
Edema
Skin temp
Decreased pulse palpability
Certain conditions place patients at risk for pulse alterations:
A history of heart disease
Cardiac dysrhythmia
Onset of sudden chest pain or acute pain from any site
Invasive cardiovascular diagnostic tests
Surgery
A sudden infusion of a large volume of IV fluid
Internal or external hemorrhage
Administration of medications that alter cardiac function
Patients at risk for dysphagia
Coughing during eating;
Change in voice tone or quality after swallowing;
Abnormal movements of the mouth, tongue, or lips
Slow, weak, imprecise, inconsistent, or uncoordinated speech
Abnormal gag reflex
Delayed swallowing
Incomplete oral clearance
Pocketing of food or medications
Regurgitation
