Health Flashcards
Who was Virginia Apgar?
A pioneering female physician and anesthesiologist who developed the Apgar score
Virginia Apgar (1909-1974) was one of the first women to graduate from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.
What significant contribution did Virginia Apgar make in 1952?
Developed the Apgar score, a quick evaluation of a newborn’s condition
The Apgar score is still used today to assess newborns’ health in the first critical minutes after birth.
What does the Apgar score evaluate?
Five vital signs: skin color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, and breathing
These signs are assessed on a scale of 0 to 2.
How is the total Apgar score calculated?
By adding the ratings of the five vital signs, resulting in a total from 0 to 10
Medical students remember the signs with the mnemonic APGAR: appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration.
What score indicates a stable condition for a newborn?
A score of 7 or above
Scores below 7 require further evaluation every 5 minutes.
What actions are taken if a newborn has a score of 6 or lower?
Some resuscitation is needed, potentially involving suctioning the airway and administering oxygen
This could be due to heart or lung conditions or other medical issues.
What does a score of 0 to 3 indicate for a newborn?
Immediate resuscitation is required, usually with assisted breathing
An initial low score may not predict long-term health unless it remains 0 to 3 after 20 minutes.
What percentage of newborns require medical intervention?
About 10 percent
This indicates the need for medical attention shortly after birth.
What career did Virginia Apgar pursue after age 50?
Earned a master’s degree in public health and became an executive for the March of Dimes
This marked her second career after her work in medicine.
What is the first line of defense in the immune system called?
Nonspecific or innate immunity
This type of immunity provides broad protection against all pathogens.
What are the mechanisms involved in nonspecific immunity?
Includes skin, sticky mucous linings, white blood cells, and natural killer cells
These mechanisms trap particles and destroy pathogens that breach initial barriers.
What role do white blood cells play in the immune response?
They rush to destroy pathogens that break through initial barriers
This includes various types of cells involved in the immune response.
What is the inflammatory response?
Tissues react by bringing more blood to the affected area to attract defender cells
This helps clear out harmful particles and repair damaged areas.
How does body temperature affect pathogens?
Most viruses and bacteria can’t thrive in hot temperatures
A rise in body temperature is a common immune response.
What is adaptive immunity?
A finely tuned system that releases specialized cells to destroy specific pathogens
It is tailored to fight off particular viruses or bacteria.
