NREMT Pathophysiology

Question 1

What is JVD?

Answer 1

JVD stands for jugular venous distention.

JVD indicates an excess pressure in the chest (e.g. tension pneumothorax) or a problem with the heart (e.g. right heart failure or cardiac tamponade).

Question 2

What are the differences between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism?

Answer 2

Aerobic metabolism is performed when oxygen is present. It is efficient, produces significant amounts of energy and does not produce pyruvic acid as a waste product.

Anaerobic metabolism is performed in the absence of oxygen. It is inefficient because it only creates a small amount of energy and creates dangerous acidic waste products.

Question 3

Define: Plasma

Answer 3

The yellow-colored liquid portion of the blood.

Question 4

What is the difference between respiration and ventilation?

Answer 4

Ventilation is the process of moving air in and out of the lungs. Respiration is the exchange of gases between the alveoli, red blood cells and cells of the body.

Question 5

Define: Edema

Answer 5

Swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues.

Question 6

Define: Shock

Answer 6

The inability of the body to circulate blood to the body’s tissues and cells. This results in oxygen not reaching tissues and carbon dioxide not being removed from the tissues.

Question 7

Define: Stroke Volume

Answer 7

The amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle of the heart during each contraction.

Question 8

How is oxygen carried in the bloodstream?

Answer 8

Attached to hemoglobin molecules in the red blood cells. (A very small amount of oxygen is carried dissolved in plasma.)

Question 9

Define: Minute Volume

Answer 9

The amount of air moved in and out of the lungs over a minute. It is calculated by multiplying tidal volume x respiratory rate.

Question 10

Provide two examples of ventilation/perfusion mismatch.

Answer 10

A pulmonary embolus creates a mismatch because while air can still move normally in and out of the lungs, the embolus prevents blood from reaching a section of the lung for gas exchange.

An acute asthma attack would cause bronchoconstriction and limit the air that can reach the alveoli. The circulating blood volume is not affected and still has the same oxygen carrying capabilities.

Question 11

What happens when a blood vessel suffers a “loss of tone?”

Answer 11

Tone is the amount of constriction in a blood vessel. The body adjusts this tone to help regulate blood pressure and maintain perfusion. A loss of tone will cause abnormal vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure and perfusion.

Question 12

A pressure within the blood vessel that pushes water out into the body.

Answer 12

Hydrostatic pressure

Question 13

When a capillary allows fluids to leave through its walls it is said to be

Answer 13

Permeable

Question 14

Define: Tidal Volume

Answer 14

The amount of air that moves in and out of the lungs in a single breath.

Question 15

Define: Systemic Vascular Resistance

Answer 15

Systemic vascular resistance (SVR) is the pressure in the vessels the heart must pump against.

Question 16

Define: Diffusion

Answer 16

Movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to lower concentration. This is a passive process that does not require energy.

Question 17

Two substances brought into the body that are required to create ATP in the cell.

Answer 17

Glucose and oxygen

Question 18

Define: Chemoreceptor

Answer 18

Specialized chemical sensors in the blood vessels (carotid and aortic) and brain that detect levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen.

Question 19

What is ATP?

Answer 19

ATP is adenosine triphosphate. It is created during aerobic metabolism and is thought of as the energy for a cell.

Question 20

Define: Pathophysiology

Answer 20

Study of changes in the body due to a disease or syndrome.

Physiology of diseased or injured organisms or their parts.

Question 21

When large proteins attract water from the body into the bloodstream.

Answer 21

Plasma oncotic pressure

Question 22

What is the formula to determine cardiac output?

Answer 22

Cardiac output is determined by multiplying the heart rate x stroke volume and is expressed in ml/minute.

Question 23

Define: Preload

Answer 23

Preload is the amount of blood filling the ventricles of the heart prior to contraction. Sufficient blood volume (or preload) causes the chamber of the heart to stretch which helps create a strong contraction.

Question 24

Define: Dead air space

Answer 24

The volume required to fill the portion of the respiratory system that does not exchange gases. In an adult about 150 ml of air is required to fill the tracheobronchial tree before any air reaches alveoli for gas exchange.

Question 25

Define: Ventilation/Perfusion Mismatch

Answer 25

In ventilation/perfusion matching, ventilation (V) refers to the air that reaches the alveoli. Perfusion (Q) refers to the the blood reaching the alveoli for gas exchange.

While these are never exactly matched, both ventilation and perfusion should happen without obstruction or delay. When one of these is altered, a ventilation (V/Q) mismatch occurs.

Question 26

Define: Afterload

Answer 26

The pressure ventricles of the heart must create to eject blood. Most commonly applied to the left ventricle, it is also referred to as the amount of force or pressure in the aorta that the heart must pump against.

Question 27

Define: Metabolism

Answer 27

Converting nutrients to energy within the cell.