Introduction to Pathophysiology and Epidemiology

Question 1

What is pathophysiology?

Answer 1

Changes to the functioning to the body due to a disease

Question 2

What is epidemiology?

Answer 2

The ‘who’ ‘what’ ‘where’ of a disease : the study of distribution of a disease among a population

Question 3

What does iatrogenic mean

Answer 3

Caused by a medical treatment

Question 4

What does idiopathic mean?

Answer 4

The cause is unknown

Question 5

What is the morbidity rate?

Answer 5

Incidence or prevalence of a disease in a population

Question 6

Define morality rate

Answer 6

Number of people dying due to a disease in population

Question 7

Define homeostasis

Answer 7

Maintaining a constant internal environment, despite external change

Question 8

What is the incubation period?

Answer 8

The time you get exposed to an infection to the time you get the signs and symptoms

Question 9

Define insidious

Answer 9

Proceeding gradually but with harmful effects

Question 10

What is prophylaxis

Answer 10

Treatment given or action taken to prevent a disease

Question 11

Define remission

Answer 11

A decrease of signs and symptoms

Question 12

What is apoptosis

Answer 12

Controlled cell death

Question 13

What is atrophy

Answer 13

Individual cells shrink

Question 14

What is dysplasia

Answer 14

Abnormal variance in shape and size

Question 15

What is hyperplasia?

Answer 15

Increased number of cells, no change in shape or size

Question 16

Define ischaemia

Answer 16

Blood flow is restricted to a certain part of the body

Question 17

Necrosis is …

Answer 17

Death of body tissue

Question 18

Neoplasia is …

Answer 18

New growth of cells, disorganised growth

Question 19

What is inflammation - describe and explain

Answer 19

Inflammation is a non-specific response to tissue injury.

The inflammatory response is a protective mechanism and the intention is to localise and prevent further injury

Question 20

State 5 causes of inflammation

Answer 20

Infection
Allergic reactions 
Ischaemia and infarction 
Direct physical damage (cuts, sprains)
Foreign bodies

Question 21

What are the 2 types of inflammation?

Answer 21

Acute inflammation

Chronic

Question 22

Explain tissue injury

Answer 22

Tissue injury - damaged cells release chemical mediators into interstitial fluid and histamine release leads to local vasodilation causing hyperkalemia

Question 23

Explain the 6 processes of inflammation

Answer 23

1. Injury
2. Cells release chemical mediators
3. Vasodilation
4. Increased capillary permeability
5. Leukocutes move to the site of injury
6. Phagocytosis - removal of debris in preparation for healing

Question 24

What are some cardinal signs of inflammation

Answer 24

Redness
Swelling 
Increased heat
Pain
Loss of function

Question 25

Explain the cardinal signs of inflammation

Answer 25

Redness and warmth are due to the increased blood flow to the sight Swelling is a result of fluid shift Pain results from pressure on nerve cells and local irritation of nerves Loss of function may be physiological - if cells lack nutrients or are destroyed

Question 26

What is exudate

Answer 26

Exudate forms the build up of interstitial fluid

Question 27

List 3 types of excudate

Answer 27

Serous, fibrinous, purulent

Question 28

Explain the 3 types of excudate

Answer 28

Serous - clear, contains fluid and small amounts of proteins and WBC Fibrinous - thick + sticky, high fibrin content and risk of scarring is greater Purulent - Thick yellow green, contains high number of leukocytes, cell debris, microorganisms and typically indicate bacterial infection

Question 29

List systemic effects of excudate

Answer 29

``` Mild fever Fatigue Headache Anorexia Pyrexia ```

Question 30

What is chronic inflammation

Answer 30

Occurs if the acute cause is not removed. Typically less swelling and excudate but increase lymphocytes Tissue destruction tends to be greater Fibrous scar tissue is likely to form

Question 31

List 5 medications used for chronic inflammation

Answer 31

``` Paracetamol Aspirin NSAIDs COX - 2 inhibitors Steroids ```

Question 32

What are the 3 processes that contribute to healing and explain

Answer 32

1. Resolution - minimal tissue damage, damage cells recover and tissue returns to normal 2. Regeneration - cells are capable to mitosis, damaged cells is replaced by identical cells by proliferation 3. Replacement - by connective tissue

Question 33

State the 5 processes of healing

Answer 33

1. Nearby epithelial cells undergo mitosis, they migrate across the wound surface from outside inwards 2. Fibroblasts enter region, produce collagen and stimulate angiogenesis 3. Collagen fibres are gradually cross linked producing strong scar 4. Capillaries disperse and the scar colour fades 5. Scar tissue is non functional

Question 34

Healing comes in 2 intentions. Name them

Answer 34

First and second intention First - occurs when would is clean and free of foreign material Second - large break in tissue, more inflammation, longer healing process, more scar tissue

Question 35

List some factors which promote healing

Answer 35

``` Youth Good nutrition Clean undisturbed wound Effective circulation No infection to site No further trauma to the site Adequate haemoglobin ```

Question 36

What are some factors which delay healing?

Answer 36

``` Poor nutrition Advanced age Poor ciruclation Dehydration Infection Steroid use Some chronic disease - diabetes ```