Topic 1: Pathophysiology Terminology Flashcards
Define/ describe the term ‘Pathophysiology’
Pathophysiology is the study of changes in physiology that occur as a result of a disease or disorder.
Define ‘disease’
Disease is the specific term given to the characteristic collective effect of related pathophysiological changes.
Define ‘disorders’
Disorders or conditions are disturbances in normal physiological function (homeostasis).
Or
When the body’s ability to comprnsate for changes and maintain homeostasis is exceeded- disease and disorders are the result.
Explain how homeostasis is maintained in the body…
Homeostasis is the maintinence of a stable internal environment.
Homeostasis is largley maintained through the CNS utilising positive and negative feedback pathways.
Other maintinance can be regulated by organse such as kidneys, pancrease etc.
The scale of Ph (acidity to alkaline) is between what two numbers?
What end of the scale represents acidic and akaline?
0 and 14.
Closer to 0 is more acidic and closer to 14 is more alkaline.
6-7 is neutral.
What is the Ph of the blood between?
7.35 - 7.45
What are the three essential components of a feedback pathway?
- Sensor/ detector: a neuron (receptor)
- Control centre
- Effector: CNS sends signal IOT return body to homeostasis.
Where are chemoreceptors located in the body?
If a short-term response is required to maintain homeostasis - it is usually coordinated by the nervouse system.
If a long-term response is needed, the nervous system activates the ____________ system to assist mediating the correction using hormones. Provide an example.
Endocrine system.
- Decreased BP detected by sensors
- Kidney releases ‘aldosterone’
- Na+ and H2O are retained in bloodstream which increases volume / pressure.
- Blood pressure levels restored.
What feedback loop is primarily used to maintain homeostasis in the body?
Give an example.
Negative feedback loops-
Temperature maintinence - sweating, increased resp rate, vasodilation,
Provide an example of a positive feedback loop.
- Labor (delivery of baby/ placenta)
- Blood clotting (clot complete/ blood loss ceased).
Both require a phsyiological process to keep occuring iluntil the situation is resolved.
Define ‘Pathophysiology’
Pathophysiology is the study of changes to physiology as a result of disease/ disorders.
What is ‘Aetiology’
The original cause of a problem is known as the Aetiology. This can be an external or internal cause, such as occurs with ageing.
Aetiology can be classified under 6 different causes…
Biological: Bacteria, viral, etc Chemical: poisons/ toxins Nutritional: excess/ deficit in dirt Physical: trauma/burns Genetic: Multifactorial: cancers often develope from a combi if genetic/ environmental factors.
Define ‘Nosocomial Aetiology’
Refers to causes of disease that arises because of exposure to a hospital/ clinical care environment. Eg. Contracted a MRSA infection that had broken out in the burns ward.
Define ‘idiopathic Aetiology’
Cause of disease is ‘unknown’, with cases appearing to increase spontaneously.
Doesnt mean there is no cause- only that the cause hasnt yet been identified/ linked.
Define ‘Iatrogenic Aetiology’
Cause if disease induced inadvertently by a health care practitioner. Neglegence/ do no harm etc etc
Define ‘Pathogenisis’
Pathogenisis refers to all of the stages from initial exposure to the cause of the disease (aetiology) to complete recovery or death.
Includes processes in the body that occur in the progression of the disease that do not cause abnormal physiology by themselves but which are req. for didease progression.
What are ‘clinical manifestations?’
Signs and symptoms.
Signs- measurment or recording of objective measures ie. HR, RR, BP, Temp, UA, FBC etc
Symptoms- subjective indication of experience reported by the patient. Ie. nausea, dizziness, pain.
What is a ‘Syndrome’
A ‘Syndrome’ is a set of signs and symptoms that occur together but where the actual cause of the syndrom is unknown.
What is the difference between ‘acute and chronic’ in regards to manifestations?
Acute - disease that developes quickly & resolves/ heals quickly- can be mild, moderate, severe or fatal.
Chronic- developes gradually and lasts much longer- even for a lifetime. Can also be mild, moderate, severe or fatal.
** many ‘chronic illnesses’ are ‘insidious’- meaning thr onset is gradual & first symptoms are often vague/ nonspecific.
What is ‘Epidemiology’
The study of disease within populations.
Looks at:
- occurrence
- determinants
- distribution
- control of disease within a population (ie. is vaccination, quarantine working?)
Define ‘Incidence’ IRT epidemiology…
Incidence = No. of new cases of a disease diagnosed within a particular period.
Ie. 800 new COVID-19 cases in melbourne today- breaking yesterdays record…
Define ‘Prevalence’ IRT epidemology…
‘Prevalance’ = total No. of cases, new and existing, diagnosed within a particular period.
Ie. prevalence of COVID-19 cases much higher suring Dec 21 than in Feb 22. This is due to the holidayseason and increased travel.
What is a ‘Mornidity rate’ measuring?
A ‘Morbidity rate’ = No. of ill people per unit of the population. (Can be age, gender, geographic location for a particular disease).
