Pathology Flashcards
1
Q
Aneurysm
A
- abnormal balloon- like bulge in the wall of a blood vessel (most often the aorta) that occurs when the blood vessel becomes weakened and can no longer handle the pressure of the blood
- symptoms will differ based on the site of the aneurysm (thoracic versus abdominal aorta) and whether the aneurysm has ruptured or not
- symptoms include:
low back, abdominal or groin pain
nausea and vomiting
Lightheadedness and a rapid heart rate - Symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm:
jaw, neck, back or chest pain
Coughing or hoarseness
Shortness of breath
2
Q
Angina Pectoris
A
- results from diminished myocardial perfusion, most commonly caused by narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries (e.g., due to embolism, atherosclerosis, inflammation)
- described as an uncomfortable or painful feeling of tightness, pressure, fullness or squeezing in the center of the chest
- medical management varies greatly with symptom severity and type (i.e., stable vs unstable) focusing primarily on the underlying pathology
3
Q
Atherosclerosis
A
A slow progressive accumulation of fatty plaques on the inner walls of arteries
- over time the plaque can restrict blood flow, causing a blood clot
- lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery may be recommended
4
Q
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
A
- typically affects the distal lower extremities and is characterized by venous incompetence and resultant venous hypertension
- symptoms: edema, feelings of heaviness, tingling sensations, and dull, aching pain in the distal lower extremities.
- symptoms generally improve and may resolve fully with elevation, however, reappear once dependent positioning is resumed.
5
Q
Cor Pulmonale
A
- occurs when the right ventricle is unable to effectively pump blood due to the prolonged presence of pulmonary hypertension and increased right ventricular afterload.
- initially, symptoms are primarily associated with the underlying pulmonary pathology; as the condition advances, symptoms may include peripheral pitting edema and jugular vein distention.
- most commonly diagnose by means of clinical findings, medical history, echocardiogram, laboratory tests, chest x- ray and electrocardiography.
6
Q
Coronary Artery Disease.
A
- occurs as a result of atherosclerotic plaque buildup within the coronary arteries; develops slowly, often going unnoticed for years before producing symptoms
- risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and a family history of the condition.
- cardiac rehabilitation is recommended and upon completion, the patient should posses self- management skills associated with symptom recognition and reduction of risk factors
7
Q
Deep Vein Thrombosis.
A
- condition in which a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins, usually in the lower extremities
- considered an emergent condition as the clot can break loose and travel to the lungs, resulting in a pulmonary embolism
- signs and symptoms can include swelling, pain, redness, and warmth in the affected leg.
8
Q
Congestive Heart Failure
A
- common etiologies: arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism, hypertension, valvular heart disease, myocarditis, unstable angina, renal failure, and severe anemia
- left sided heart failure is generally associated with signs of pulmonary venous congestion
- right sided heart failure is associated with signs of systemic venous congestion
- diminished cardiac output causes compensatory changes including an increase in blood volume, cardiac filling pressure, heart rate, and cardiac muscle mass
9
Q
Hypertension
A
- a condition in which blood pressure is persistently elevated:
Stage 1: 130-139/ 80-89 (or)
Stage 2: at least 140/ 90 (or) - symptoms may not be recognized until blood pressure becomes dangerously high producing a:
Headache
Confusion
Visual changes
Fatigue
Arrhythmia
Tinnitus - medical management is largely focused on risk reduction through modifiable risk factors and pharmacological intervention
10
Q
Lymphedema Post- Mastectomy
A
- caused by an excess load of lymph fluid or inadequate transport capacity within the lymphatic system secondary to the loss of homeostasis
- primary contributing factor in the development of lymphedema following a mastectomy is the damage and/ or removal of the axillary lymph nodes and vessels
- intervention should focus on manual lymph drainage, short stretch compression bandages, retrograde massage, exercise, compression therapy, and use of a mechanical pump
11
Q
Myocardial Infarction
A
- occurs when there is poor coronary artery perfusion, ischemia, and subsequent necrosis of the cardiac tissue usually due to thrombus, arterial blockage or atherosclerosis
- risk factor: patient or family history of heart disease, smoking, physical inactivity, stress, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, and obesity
- clinical presentation may include deep pain or pressure in the substernal area with or without pain radiating to the jaw or into the left arm or the back
12
Q
Peripheral Arterial Disease
A
- stenotic, occlusive, and aneurysmal diseases of the aorta and peripheral arteries
- caused primarily by atherosclerosis and thromboembolic processes that alter the structure and function of the aorta and its branches.
- supervised exercise training should be performed for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes at least 3 times per week, for a minimum of 12 weeks.
13
Q
Peripheral Vascular Disease
A
- characterized by narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels causing a reduction in circulation usually secondary to atherosclerosis
- risk factors: phlebitis, injury or surgery, autoimmune disease, DM, smoking, hyperlipidemia, inactivity, hypertension, positive family history, increased age, and obesity
- patient education is paramount regarding the disease process, limb protection, foot and skin care, and risk factor reduction (smoking cessation, avoid cold exposure)
14
Q
Valvular Heart Disease
A
- damage to one or more of the heart’s valves resulting in regurgitation or stenosis of blood flow
- may be caused by congenital defects, calcification degeneration, infective endocarditis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and rheumatic fever.
- clinical signs: heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing, ankle swelling and fatigue.
15
Q
Asthma
A
- chronic inflammation of the airways caused by an increased airway hypersensitivity to various stimuli
- a mild attack presents with wheezing, chest tightness, and slight shortness of breath
- reducing exposure to known triggers is a critical step toward controlling the condition
16
Q
Bronchitis
A
- characterized by hypertrophy of the mucus secreting glands, increased mucus secretions, and insufficient oxygenation due to mucus blockage.
- acute bronchitis may be caused by cold viruses and exposure to smoke and other air pollutants; chronic bronchitis is most often associated with cigarette smoking
- signs and symptoms include:
Persistent cough with production of thick sputum
Increased use of accessory muscles of breathing
Wheezing
Dyspnea
Cyanosis
Increased pulmonary artery pressure
17
Q
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
A
- group of lung diseases that block air flow due to narrowing of the bronchial tree
- progression of the disease includes alveolar destruction and subsequent air trapping
- patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have an increased total lung capacity with a significant increase in residual volume
18
Q
Cystic Fibrosis
A
- causes the exocrine glands to overproduce thick mucus which causes subsequent obstruction
- autosomal recessive genetic disorder (both parents are carriers of the defective gene) located on the long arm of chromosome 7
- the most common cause of death is respiratory failure.
19
Q
Emphysema
A
- results from a long history of chronic bronchitis, recurrent alveolar inflammation or from genetic predisposition of a congenital alpha- 1 antitrypsin deficiency
- clinical presentation: barrel chest appearance, increased subcostal angle, rounded shoulders secondary to tight pectorals, and rosy skin coloring.
- symptoms of emphysema worsen with the progression of the disease and include a persisted cough, wheezing, difficulty breathing especially with expiration, and an increased respiration rate
20
Q
Pneumonia
A
- inflammation of the lungs
- usually caused by bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infection
- common signs and symptoms:
Fever
Cough
SOB
Sweating
Shaking chills
Chest pain that fluctuates with breathing
Headache
Muscle pain
Fatigue
21
Q
Pneumothorax
A
- occurs when air accumulates in the pleural cavity and causes a collapsed lung
- symptoms vary widely depending on the type and size of the pneumothorax, but may include chest pain, shortness of breath, hypoxemia, cyanosis, hypotension
- tension pneumothorax is a specific type of pneumothorax that results in large increases in pressure in the pleasurable cavity and is considered a medical emergency.
22
Q
Pulmonary Edema
A
- characterized by excess fluid in the lungs that often occurs when the left ventricle is unable to adequately pump blood to the systemic circulation.
- acute pulmonary edema is considered a medical emergency and is characterized by extreme shortness of breath, wheezing or gasping, anxiety, a cough that produces frothy sputum, chest pain, and palpitations.
- a chest x- ray is the primary imaging study to confirm the presence of fluid in the lungs.
23
Q
Pulmonary Embolism
A
- occurs most commonly as a result of venous thrombi that have detached and traveled from elsewhere in the body before lodging in a pulmonary artery.
- symptoms: sudden onset of dyspnea, coughing, hypoxia, and chest pain which may mimic MI
- pulmonary angiogram is the most conclusive means of identifying a pulmonary embolism, however, complication risks are high and so it is used only when other diagnostic methods are inconclusive.
24
Q
Respiratory Acidosis
A
- refers to a state in which the pH of body fluids is abnormally low indicating acidemia.
- hypoventilation prevents adequate removal of CO2 from the body causing Hypercapnea and as a result, bicarbonate levels decrease altering the body’s acid- base balance.
- initial symptoms are often vague and more closely related to the underlying pathology; as the condition worsens, symptoms include:
Lethargy
Confusion
Altered mental status
Cyanosis
25
Q
Respiratory Alkalosis
A
- refers to a state in which the pH of body fluids is abnormally high indication alkalemia
- hyperventilation removes more CO2 from the body than can be produced causing hypocapnia and as a result, hydrogen levels decrease altering the body;s acid- base balance
- initial symptoms are often vague and more closely related to the underlying pathology, however, tachypnea, tachycardia, hyperventilation, and dizziness are commonly observed.
26
Q
Restrictive Lung Disease
A
- classification of disorders caused by a pulmonary or extra pulmonary restriction that produces impairment in lung expansion and an abnormal reduction in pulmonary ventilation.
- pulmonary restriction of the lungs can be caused by tumor, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, scarring within the lungs, pleural effusion, chest wall stiffness, structural abnormality, and respiratory muscle weakness.
- pathogens is includes a decrease in lung and chest wall compliance, decrease in lung volumes and an increase in the work of breathing.
27
Q
Tuberculosis
A
- highly contagious infectious disease spread via airborne transmission primarily caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
- active TB typically presents with generalized symptoms of infection including fever, chills, fatigue, weight loss, decreased appetite, and night sweats; left untreated can be fatal
- diagnosed based on a skin test where a small amount of substance tuberculin is injected at a forearm site with the skin’s reaction then assesses 48 to 72 hours later
28
Q
Venous Thrombosis
A
- the formation of a blood clot within a vein, most commonly occurring in the deep veins of the lower extremities
- signs and symptoms include swelling, redness, warmth and pain in the affected leg, though it can occur without any noticeable symptoms
- ultrasound imaging is most commonly used to identify the presence of a venous thrombus
