Final Flashcards
What is Microbiology the study of?
The study of microorganisms.
What are the 3 main Microorganisms?
Bacteria, Virus, Fungi & Protozoa
What are disease-causing microorganisms called?
Pathogenic
What is a culture & sensitivity ?
A culture is a test to find germs (such as bacteria or a fungus) that can cause an infection.
A sensitivity test checks to see what kind of medicine, such as an antibiotic, will work best to treat the illness or infection.
What are Antibiotics?
drugs that can kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms
Derived from organisms (ex. Penicillin from mold); now synthetic or semisynthetic
Would we used antibiotics for viral infections? Why or why not?
Antibiotics cannot kill viruses because viruses have different structures and replicate in a different way than bacteria.
What would we make sure to include in patient teachings for taking antibiotics?
Drugs should be administered as directed
& antimicrobial drugs should be taken until the prescribed medication is completely used, even if the symptoms have subsided
What are bacteria? The characteristics? How do they replicate?
Do not require living tissue to survive
Vary in size and shape (bacilli [rod], spirals, cocci [spherical])
Duplicates by binary fission (two daughter cells identical to the parent bacterium
What are Viruses? The characteristics? How do they replicate?
Obligate intracellular parasite – requires a living host cell for replication
Difficult to control – one type of virus exists in many similar forms or strains and they tend to mutate during replication (ex. Cold or influenza viruses) – difficult for the host to develop adequate immunity, either by antibodies or vaccines
some viruses can alter host cell chromosome -> development of cancer (ex. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer)
What are bacteria Fungi? The characteristics? How do they replicate?
Found everywhere – common contaminants found on surfaces and in food, but also frequently considered beneficial (production of foods, source of antibiotics)
Only a few are pathogenic and cause infection on the skin or mucous membranes (ex. Athlete’s foot, thrush, vaginal infection)
Opportunistic infection in immunodeficient individuals -> extensive chronic infection. Fungi reproduce asexually by fragmentation, budding, or producing spores. Fragments of hyphae can grow new colonies
What are resident Flora?
Many areas of the body have a resident
population of mixed microorganisms termed
normal flora. Under normal circumstances, they are not pathogenic but opportunistic infection may occur when they are transferred to another location, if the balance is not maintained, or if the body’s defenses are impaired
What are areas of the body are sterile?
Blood, CSF
Lungs
uterus, fallopian tubes, ovary
Bladder and kidney
What is endemic vs. epidemic vs. pandemic?
Endemic= Continuous transmission within a population
Epidemic=Higher than normal transmission or spread to new geographical area
Pandemic=transmission has occurred on most continents.
What are the 5 modes of transmission?
Direct contact Indirect Contact Droplet Transmission Vector Bourne Airbourne
What is an Iatrogenic infection?
due to medical treatment; doctor induced
What is Septicemia and what is another word(s) for septicemia?
Multiplication of pathogenic organisms in the blood, causing sepsis
What are Exotoxins?
Usually produced by gram-positive bacteria
May interfere with nerve conduction
What are Endotoxins?
Present in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria
Released on death of bacterium
Vasoactive compounds that can cause septic shock
What are Enzymes?
Damage tissues and promote spread of infection
What are Superbugs?
A strain of bacteria resistant to antibiotics
What is MRSA?
methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infection; resistant to penicillin-like antibiotics
What is VRE?
Vancomycin is an antibiotic medication that is used to treat serious infections caused by organisms that are resistant to other antibiotics such as penicillins. Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) are Enterococci that are resistant to vancomycin.
What is C-Diff?
Clostridioides difficile (also known as C. diff) is a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis (an inflammation of the colon).
What is the Immune system & what does it do?
Responsible for body defense and production of specific antibodies.
What are the anatomical structures which are involved in the immune system?
Lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, thymus
What are Antigens?
Substances with unique protein marks on the outside that the immune system recognizes and attaches to.
What is an antibody?
Antibodies are made by the immune system to counter-act antigens
What is the main cell in the immune system?
Lymphoctye
What two types of cells do Lymphocytes differentiate into?
T-Cells & B-Cells
Where do T Cells mature?
In the Thymus
How do T-Cells work?
They attack the invador directly
Where do B cells mature?
In the bone marrow
How do B-Cells work?
They create antibodies that attack the invader
What are the 2 steps in acquiring immunity?
Primary Response- First exposure to antigen; 1 to 2 weeks before antibody reaches efficacy
Secondary Response- Repeat exposure to the same antigen; More rapid response, with efficacy in 1 to 3 days
When does Immunodeficiency develop?
From partial or total loss of any component of the immune system.
What is an opportunistic infection?
An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa) that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available, such as a host with a weakened immune system
What are the hormones relevant to the urinary system?
Antidiuretic Hormone
Aldosterone
Atrial Natriuretic Hormone
What is Blood Urea Nitrogen? What does it test for?
BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen in your urine. It evaluates kidney function.
What is Creatinine? What does it test for?
Creatinine tests kidney function. Creatinine is a chemical waste.
What is a Cystoscopy? What is it used for?
Diagnose condictions affecting the bladder and urethra.
What are diuretic drugs? What are they used for?
Medication designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine. Often used to treat high BP.
What is dialysis?
Dialysis is a procedure that performs many of the normal duties of the kidneys, like filtering waste products from the blood, when the kidneys no longer work
What is hemodialysis vs. peritoneal dialysis?
Hemodialysis uses a man-made membrane (dialyzer) to filter wastes and remove extra fluid from the blood. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneal membrane) and a solution (dialysate) to remove wastes and extra fluid from the body.
What is nephrotic syndrome? What does it lead to? S&S?
Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste and excess water from your blood. Nephrotic syndrome causes swelling (edema), particularly in your feet and ankles, and increases the risk of other health problems
What is nephrolithiasis? What does it cause? S&S?
Kidney Stones.
S/S: Intense Pain
What are different causes of urinary tract obstructions? What can obstructions result in?
Kidney stones, Tumors, & Hydronephrosis
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is the swelling of a kidney due to a build-up of urine. It happens when urine cannot drain out from the kidney to the bladder from a blockage or obstruction. Hydronephrosis can occur in one or both kidneys.
What is nephrosclerosis? What does it do? S&S? Results in?
Nephrosclerosis, hardening of the walls of the small arteries and arterioles (small arteries that convey blood from arteries to the even smaller capillaries) of the kidney. This condition is caused by hypertension (high blood pressure).
What is the difference between acute renal failure vs. chronic renal failure? Describe each
Acute: Reversible if primary problem is successfully treated.
Chronic: Gradual Irreversible destruction
What are the 3 stages in chronic renal failure? What is each stage called? What happens in each stage?
Early Stage: No apparent clinical signs; serum urea normal; serum creatinine higher; decreased reserve (60% loss)
Second Stage: High serum creatinine; Polyuria w/ dilute urine hypertension
End Stage: Retained fluids, electrolytes, wastes, all body systems affected; Oliguria/Anuria
What is sickle cell anemia? Causes? S&S? Results in?
a severe hereditary form of anemia in which a mutated form of hemoglobin distorts the red blood cells into a crescent shape at low oxygen levels. It is most common among those of African descent. Obstruction leads to multiple infarctions and areas of necrosis. S/S: Pallor, tachycardia, dyspnea, jaundice, splenomegaly, severe pain, CHF.
What is hemolytic anemia?
Excessive destruction of RBCs
What is a sickle cell “crisis”?
In sickle cell anemia when oxygen levels are lowered.
What is polycythemia? Causes? S&S? Results in?
an abnormally increased concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, through either reduction of plasma volume or increase in red cell numbers. It may be a primary disease of unknown cause, or a secondary condition linked to respiratory or circulatory disorder or cancer. S/S: Distended blood vessels, increased BP, hepatomegaly, spenomedaly, headaches.
What is hemophilia?
Clossing disorder, prolonged bleeding after minor tissue trauma, bleeding into joints, hematuria or blood in feces.
What is Leukemia? Causes? S&S? Leads to?
Cancer of the bodies blood forming tissues. Includes lymph nodes, spleen, liver, brain and other organs. S/S: Bone pain, weight loss, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes.
What are Lymphomas?
Lymphoma is cancer that begins in infection-fighting cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes. These cells are in the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, and other parts of the body. When you have lymphoma, lymphocytes change and grow out of control.
What is hodgkin’s vs. non-hodgkin’s?
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma may arise in lymph nodes anywhere in the body, whereas Hodgkin lymphoma typically begins in the upper body, such as the neck, chest or armpits.
What is DIC? Describe
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a rare, life-threatening condition. In the early stages of the condition, DIC causes your blood to clot excessively. As a result, blood clots may reduce blood flow and block blood from reaching bodily organs.
What is hemostasis?
Blood clotting
What is another term for RBC/WBC/Platelets?
RBC (red blood cell) is an “erythrocyte” WBC (white blood cell) is “leukocyte” platelet is “thrombocyte”
What is erythropoietin?
Erythropoietin produced in the kidney stimulates erythrocyte production.
What is epidermis vs. dermis?
Epidermis: Keratin, tough, pigment, no blood vessels
Dermis: Thick connective tissue, nerves and blood vessels
What is pruritus?
Severe itching of the skin which can be treated by glucocorticoids or antihistamines.
What are 2 types of contact dermatitis?
Allergic contact and chemical contact
What is necrotizing fasciitis?
Flesh eating disease; usually caused by a highly virulent strain of streptococcus pyogenes; treatment includes antibiotics, surgery, amputation.
What is the medical term for pressure ulcers? What are they?
Decubitus Ulcers. Ischemic lesions of the skin and underlying structures due to unrelieved pressure that impairs circulation.
Name an autoimmune skin disorder?
Psoriasis; attacks integumentary system resulting in damage to skin and skin becomes inflammed leading to thickening of dermis and epidermis.
What is the name for a bacterial skin infection?
Cellulitis
What are some inflammatory skin disorders?
Urticaria (Hives); Atopic dermatitis (eczema); Psoriasis;
What are some inflammatory skin disorders?
Urticaria (Hives); Atopic dermatitis (eczema); Psoriasis;
What is a broken bone? Medical term?
Fracture. A break in the rigid structure and continuity of a bone.
What is a soft tissue injury to the tendon called?
Strain
What is tendon connective tissue for?
Supporting the bones in a joint.
What is a soft tissue injury to the ligament called?
Sprain
What are the 4 main complications of bone healing?
Degree of the gap to be filled
Presence of foreign material or infection
Systemic factors – circulatory problems, anemias, DM, or nutritional deficits
What is osteoporosis vs. osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis: Decrease in bone mass and density
Osteoarthritis: Cartilage becomes rough and torn damage from excessive mechanical stress
What are the 5 stages of bone healing?
- Hematoma
- Granulation tissue
- Procallus (fibrocartilage)
- Bony callus
- remodeling
