Ch. 1 - Introduction to Pathophysiology

pathophysiology

the study of functional changes in the body caused by injury, disorder, or disease

disease

functional impairment of cells, tissues, organs, or organ systems

includes:

• injuries

• disorders

• illness

• syndromes

pathogenesis

the origination and development of illness or disease; from when the disease process begins to when the disease presents itself

goal of pathogenesis study

to prevent disease and facilitate early diagnosis and intervention

etiology

precise cause of disease

types of etiology

• pathogen

• multifactoral

• idiopathic

• nosocomial

• iatrogenic

pathogen

disease causing microorganism

multifactoral

having more than one cause

example of multifactoral

a predisposition (i.e family history) to a disease and environmental factors

idiopathic

no known cause; as high as 80% of cases

nosocomial

caused by an infection received in a healthcare environment

example of nosocomial

improper staff hand washing causing transmission of CDIFF

iatrogenic

inadvertently caused by medical treatment

example of iatrogenic

a UTI after foley catheterization

clinical manifestations

presenting signs and symptoms of disease

signs

objective, measurable data

examples of signs

• lab results

• vitals

symptoms

subjective, pt. reported (feelings)

local

manifestations found directly at the site of disease and confined to a certain area

example of localized

swelling or bruising

systemic

manifestations present throughout the body, not confined to one area

example of systemic

fever or high BP

acute

begin abruptly and lasts a few days to months

example of acute

the common cold

chronic

gradual (insidious) onset and lasts longer than 6 months

remission

symptom-free period; condition still exists but is under control

examples of chronic

• DM

• cancer

• HTN

exacerbation

flaring of symptoms

asymptomatic

no noticeable symptoms despite diagnostic testing indicating disease presence

diagnosis

label for the disease; based on clinical manifestations, lab results, and diagnostic tests

prognosis

the “forecast” or prediction of how the individual will proceed through the disease process, dependent on the diagnosis and the pt.’s ability to stick to treatment

excellent prognosis

complete recovery

poor prognosis’s

• morbidity

• mortality

morbidity

a negative outcome with disease complications that impacts the quality or life

mortality

death

treatment

dependent on the etiology and manifestations; aimed at eliminating or reducing the cause of disease

continuum of health and wellness

perception of being anywhere along the line of ‘extremely healthy’ to ‘extremely ill’

health

perceived wholeness of body, mind, and spirit

illness

a state resulting in suffering or distress

homeostasis

a dynamic balance in the body marked by appropriate and effective responses to stimuli, thereby keeping the body in a steady state

epidemiology

the study of disease in populations

incidence

the number of NEW cases within a given time; represents the probability that a disease will occur in a certain population

prevalence

the number or percentage of a population living with a specific disease at a given time; TOTAL

endemic

incidence and prevalence are predictable and stable; within a certain area

epidemic

dramatic increase in incidence (within a certain area)

pandemic

an epidemic that spreads across continents

primary prevention

prevention of a disease from occuring; primary = PREVENTION

secondary prevention

early detection of disease by screening; secondary = SCREENING

tertiary prevention

rehabilitation of a pt. to prevent complication or progression of disease; tertiary = TREATMENT

evidence based practice

a way of caring for others that is cognizant of the most current research and knowledge in the health professions

characteristics of evidence based practice

• goes beyond one piece of research

• encompasses all of what is known through research

• respects human health variations

factors affecting pathogenesis

• gender

• age

• race

• locale

• socioeconomic status

• ethnicity

concept

a general idea that can be applied to similar situations

• a conceptual approach in pathophysiology clusters current knowledge about human health and disease and organizes that knowledge into meaningful and useful ideas