Pathophysiology Flashcards
CAD (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: narrowing of the coronary arteries limits blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina (CP specifically due to cardiac muscle ischemia)
- Dx: cardiac catheterization (not in ED)
MI (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: acute blockage of the coronary arteries results in ischemia and infarct of the heart muscle
- Risk factors: CAD, HTN, HLD, DM, smoker, FHx of CAD <55y/o
- Dx: EKG (STEMI) or elevated troponin (non-STEMI)
CHF (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: the heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid
- Dx: CXR or elevated BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)
A-Fib (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: electrical abnormalities in the wiring of the heart causes the atria to quiver abnormally
- Risk factors: paroxysmal A-Fib, chronic A-Fib
- Dx: EKG
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart causing CP
Pleurisy
Inflammation of the sac surrounding the lungs causing pleuritic CP
Costochondritis
Irritation of the ribs causing CP worsened by pressing on the sternum
Chest wall pain
Irritation of the chest wall causing pain with palpation of the chest
Pleural effusion
Fluid collecting around the lungs causing SOB or CP
PE (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: blood clot becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery and blocks blood flow to the lungs
- Risk factors: known DVT, PMHx of DVT or PE, FHx, recent surgery, CA, A-Fib, immobility, pregnancy, BCP, smoking
- Dx: D-dimer followed by CTA chest (w/ IV contrast) or VQ scan
PNA (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: infiltrate (bacterial infection) and inflammation inside the lung
- Risk factors: elderly bedridden, recent chest injury, recent surgery
- Dx: CXR
PTX (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: collapsed lung due to trauma or a spontaneous small rupture of the lung
- Dx: CXR
COPD (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: long-term damage to the lung’s alveoli (emphysema) along with inflammation and mucous production (chronic bronchitis)
- Risk factors: smoking, occupational hazards
- Dx: CXR and hx of smoking
RAD (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: constricting of the airway due to inflammation and muscular contraction of the bronchioles (bronchospasm)
- Dx: clinically
CVA (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the brain resulting in permanent brain damage
- Risk factors: HTN, HLD, DM, hx TIA/CVA, smoking, FHx CVA, A-Fib
- Dx: clinically, potentially normal CT head
Hemorrhagic CVA/brain bleed (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: traumatic or spontaneous rupture of blood vessels in the head leads to bleeding in the brain
- Dx: CT head or LP
TIA (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: vascular changes temporarily deprive a part of the brain of oxygen (sx’s last for less than one hour)
- Dx: clinically
Meningitis (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: inflammation and infection of the meninges; sac surrounding the CNS
- Dx: LP
Spinal cord injury (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: injury to the spinal cord may create weakness or numbness in the extremities past the site of injury
- Dx: CT C-spine (neck), CT T-spine (upper back), CT L-spine (lower back)
SZ (etiology)
- Etiology: abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to abnormal physical manifestations. Often caused by epilepsy, EtOH withdrawals, or febrile seizure in pediatric pts
Bell’s Palsy (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: inflammation or viral infection of the facial nerve causes one-sided weakness of the entire face
- Dx: clinically
HA/cephalgia (etiology)
- Etiology: various causes including hypertensive headaches (from high BP), recurrent diagnosed migraines, sinusitis, etc.
AMS (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: multiple causes; most common are hypoglycemia, infection, intoxication, and neurological
- Risk factors: diabetic, elderly, demented, EtOH use, drug use
- Dx: case dependent
Syncope (etiology)
- Etiology: temporary loss of blood supply to the brain resulting in loss of consciousness. Variety of causes; most common are vasovagal and low blood volume (dehydration/hypovolemia). Occasionally due to cardiac/neurological causes