E1 Ch 1 Introduction to Pathophysiology Flashcards
what is pathophysiology?
functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from disease processes
patho=physical changes
physi=functional changes
changes may be obvious or hidden at the cellular level
different than, but includes aspects of pathology, which is the laboratory study of cell and tissue changes associated w/ disease
disease
deviation from normal structure or function of any part, organ, or system
a definite pathological process with characteristic signs and symptoms
health
physical, mental, and social well being
different people have different baselines for health because of genetic differences, life experiences, and environmental influences
homeostasis
maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment regardless of external changes
when homeostasis is altered, disease occurs
7 steps to health
- don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke
- eat fruits, veggies, and high fiber, low fat foods; limit alcohol to 1-2 drinks/day
- physical activity
- protect from sun exposure
- screen for cancer
- visit doctor/dentist if normal state of health changes
- follow health and safety instructions when using, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials
disease prevention
primary prevention: protect healthy people from disease or injury
- education about good nutrition, importance of regular exercise, and the dangers of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
- education and legislation about proper seat belt and helmet use
- regular exams and screening tests to monitor risk factors for illness
- immunization against infectious disease
- controlling potential hazards at home and in the workplace
secondary prevention: halt or slow progression of disease; limit long term disability/prevent reinjury
- telling people to take daily, low dose aspirin to prevent a first or second heart attack or stroke
- recommending regular exams and screening tests in people with known risk factors for illness
- providing suitably modified work for injured workers
tertiary prevention: prevent further deterioration and protect quality of life
- cardiac or stroke rehabilitation programs
- chronic pain management programs
- patient support groups
medical history
- essential to identify any impact health care activities might have on a patient’s condition, or how a patient’s illness might complicate care
- current and prior illnesses, allergies, hospitalizations, treatments, current health status, specific difficulties, therapy, prescriptions, otc medications, food or herbal supplements
diagnosis
identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, or other tools
etiology
causative factors of a disease
ex: congenital defects, inherited or genetic disorders, microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria, immunologic dysfunction, metabolic derangements, degenerative changes, malignancy, burns and other trauma, environmental factors, and nutritional deficiencies
idiopathic
cause of disease is unknown
iatrogenic
disease caused by a treatment or an error
predisposing factors
indicates high risk for a disease
prophylaxis
a measure designed to preserve health and prevent the spread of disease
prevention
vaccinations, dietary or lifestyle modifications, removal of harmful materials in the environment, cessation of harmful activities such as smoking
pathogenesis
development of the disease or sequence of events involved in tissue changes related to the specific disease process
onset of a disease
insidious: gradual progression, vague or mild symptoms
acute: sudden and obvious
chronic: gradual onset, causing damage the whole time
subclinical state
pathologic changes occur, but with no obvious manifestations
latent stage
disease is present, but patient is asymptomatic
prodromal period
nonspecific symptoms
manifestations
signs and symptoms of disease
signs vs symptoms
signs: objective indicators of disease, obvious to someone other than the affected individual, can be local or systemic
symptoms: subjective feelings, ex: pain, nausea
lesion
specific local change in tissue; can be microscopic or highly visible
syndrome
collection of signs and symptoms, often affecting more than one organ, usually occur together in response to a certain condition
diagnostic tests
laboratory tests that assist in the diagnosis of a specific disease
remission and exacerbations
mark the course or progress of disease
remission: period or condition in which the manifestations of the disease subside, can be permanent or temporary
exacerbation: worsening in severity of disease or manifestations
precipitating factor
a condition that triggers an acute episode of a disease process
complications
new secondary or additional problems that arise after the original disease begins
therapeutic interventions
treatment measures used to promote recovery or slow the progress of disease
sequelae
potential unwanted residual condition resulting from the primary condition
convalescence/rehabilitation
period of recovery and return to the normal healthy state; may last for several days or months
prognosis
defines the probability or likelihood for recovery or other outcomes
morbidity
disease rates within a group
mortality
relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease
autopsy
postmortem examination that may be performed after death to determine the exact cause of death or the course of the illness and effectiveness of treatment
epidemiology
the science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease
occurrence
tracked by recording
- incidence: number of new cases in a given population within a stated time period
and
- prevalence: number of new and old/existing cases within a specific population and time period
epidemics
higher than expected number of cases of an infectious disease within a given area
notifiable or reportable diseases
must be reported by the physician to certain designated authorities
communicable diseases
infections that can be spread from one person to another
cellular changes
cells can adapt growth and differentiation to altered conditions in the body
tissues may be modified due to hormonal stimulation (like increase in breast and uterine tissue during pregnancy) or environmental stimuli (like irritation)
disease may develop when cell structure and function are changed to the point where homeostasis cannot be maintained
atrophy
decrease in size of cells, resulting in a reduced tissue
common causes
- reduced use of the tissue
- insufficient nutrition
- decreased neurologic or hormonal stimulation
- aging
ex: the shrinkage of skeletal muscle that occurs when a limb is immobilized
hypertrophy
increase in size of individual cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass
common causes:
- additional work by the tissue
- consistent exercise on skeletal muscles
- excessive hormonal stimulation
ex: bodybuilders; uterine enlargement during pregnancy
hyperplasia
an increased number of cells resulting in an enlarged tissue mass
common causes:
- compensatory mechanism to meet increased demands
- may be pathologic when there is a hormonal imbalance
ex: uterine enlargement during pregnancy
metaplasia
occurs when one mature cell type is released by a different mature cell type
common causes: vitamin a deficit, adaptive mechanism to provide a more resistant tissue
ex: when stratified
dysplasia
tissue in which cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei are frequently present, and the rate of mitosis is increased; detection of dysplasia is the basis of routine screening tests for atypical cells such as the pap smear
anaplasia
precursor to neoplasia; cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and numerous miotic figures; seen in most, but not all malignant tumors and is the basis for grading the aggressiveness of a tumor
neoplasia
“new growth” commonly called a tumor, can be benign or malignant
cellular adaptations
normal cells
cellular adaptations
atrophy
cellular adaptations
hyperplasia
cellular adaptations
dysplasia
cellular adaptations
hypertrophy
cellular adaptations
metaplasia
cellular adaptations
neoplasia
causes of cellular damage
- ischemia: a decreased supply of oxygenated blood to a tissue or organ, owing to circulatory obstruction
- physical agents: excessive heat or cold, or radiation exposure
- chemical toxins: exogenous (from environment), endogenous (from inside the body)
-microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, and parasites - abnormal metabolites: genetic disorders, inborn errors of metabolism, altered metabolism
- nutritional deficits
- imbalance of fluids or electrolytes
apoptosis
programmed cell death; cells self-destruct by digesting themselves enzymatically, disintegrating into vesicles called apoptotic bodies, and are engulfed through phagocytic activity; normal occurrence in the body, does not cause inflammation; may increase when cell development is abnormal, cell numbers are excessive, or cells are injured or aged
necrosis
death of one or more cells or a portion of tissue or organ; irreversible damage, not a programmed cellular event, not a normal process, may cause inflammation
ex: liquefaction necrosis, coagulative necrosis, fat necrosis, caseous necrosis
liquefaction necrosis
refers to the process by which dead cells liquefy under the influence of certain cell enzymes
coagulative necrosis
occurs when the cell proteins are altered or denatured and the cells retain form for a time after death
fat necrosis
occurs when fatty tissue is broken down into fatty acids in the presence of infection or certain enzymes
caseous necrosis
form of coagulation necrosis in which a thick, yellowish, “cheesy” substance forms, commonly caused by tuberculosis
liquefaction necrosis
coagulative necrosis
fat necrosis
caseous necrosis
infarction
an area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen
gangrene
an area of necrotic tissue, usually associated with a lack or loss of blood supply that is followed by invasion of bacteria
ex: dry gangrene, wet gangrene, gas gangrene
dry gangrene
often caused by coagulative necrosis, in which the tissue dries, shrinks, and blackens
wet gangrene
a result of liquefaction causing the tissue to become cold, swollen, and black
gas gangrene
caused by the buildup of gas within tissue and further reduces blood supply
dry gangrene
wet gangrene
gas gangrene
