Term | Definition |
ABCESS | a localized pocket of infection or purulent exudate surrounded by inflammation |
ACETAMINOPHEN | an analgesic for mild pain and antipyretic Does not lessen inflammatory response |
ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID | Drug taken in small doses on a continuing basis to reduce platelet adhesion |
ACUTE RENAL FAILURE | May be caused by bilateral acute glomerulonephritis |
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE EARLY SIGNS | behavioral changes and inability to reason |
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS EARLY SIGNS | weakness and muscle atrophy in upper limbs |
ANAPHYLAXIS | life-threatening systemic allergic/Type I hypersensitivity reaction due to bronchoconstriction and systemic vasodilation developing rapidly |
ANGINA PECTORIS | Transient chest pain resulting from myocardial hypoxia when demands on the heart increase or oxygen supply to the heart is impaired |
ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS | progressive inflammatory condition involving the spine which leads to fibrosis and ankylosis |
ANTICHOLINESTERASE AGENTS | may be prescribed as a temporary relief of Myasthenia Gravis |
ANTICOAGULENTS | “Blood thinners” used to reduce the risk of blood clot formation in coronary or systemic arteries Heparin, coumadin, streptokinase |
ANTIHYPERTENSIVES | Classes of drugs used only in the treatment of hypertension |
ANTIVIRALS | Reduce viral replication |
AORTIC STENOSIS | Narrowing of aortic valve limits blood leaving the ventricle often diagnosed by heart murmur |
ASPIRATED MATERIALS | early sign is rapid loss of consciousness |
ATHERSCLOROSIS | atheromas |
ATHEROMAS | Development promoted by LDL |
ATRIOVENTRICULAR VALVES | Increasing intraventricular pressure causes these valves to close |
ATROPHY | Degeneration & wasting of tissue, organs, or muscle due to decrease in cell size resulting in a reduced tissue mass |
AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE | the failure of the immune system to distinguish self from non-self; Type III Hypersensitivity |
BACTERIAL ENDOSPORE | Can survive high temperatures and dry environment |
BASILAR FRACTURE | Occurs at the base of the skull |
B-CELL LYMPHOMA | Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma |
BIOSYNTHETIC SKIN SUBSTITUTE | - "artificial skin" graft material when skin is damaged |
ERROR IN BLOOD TYPING | doing this before transfusing leads to erythrocyte hemolysis; Type II hypersensitivity |
BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA early sign | chronic cough |
CANCER | malignant neoplasm |
CARDIAC ARREST | The cessation of all cardiac function |
CARDIAC ARRHYMIAS | Abnormalities in the conduction system of the heart cause irregular rhythms and decreased cardiac output |
CARRIER | a person hosting an infectious pathogen, who shows no signs of the disease, but could transit the infection to others (Also may pass on genetic abnormalities while being asymptomatic – i.e. Sickle Cell Trait) |
CAUSES | the known cause of and factors predisposing to specific diseases |
CELL | functional and structural unit in the human body |
PREDISPOSING FACTORS CVAs | •Hypertension; •Diabetes mellitus; •Any form of tobacco use; •History of coronary artery disease; Hemorrhagic CVA has poorest prognosis for recovery. |
CHLAMYDIA | a common sexually transmitted disease that may cause PID in women |
CHOLELITHIASIS | gallstones usually in the gallbladder |
CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS | obstruction by gallstones of the biliary tract |
COMMINUTED FRACTURE | multiple fracture lines and bone fragments |
COMPRESSION FRACTURE | common in the vertebrae, occurring when a bone is crushed or collapses into small pieces |
COUMADIN | anticoagulant - used to prevent clot formation and extension along with heparin and streptokinase. |
CULTURE & SENSITIVITY TESTS | identify the type of bacteria and to determine which antibiotics can successfully fight an infection |
CYSTIC FIBROSIS | Genetic dis. affecting the exocrine glands ->thick mucus obstructing bronchioles, pancreatic and biliary ducts. Children born with cystic fibrosis will have delayed growth and development due to mucus plugs obstructing the flow of pancreatic enzymes. |
DETACHED RETINA | No pain, but increasing dark area in the visual field |
DIABETES MELLITUS | rel. deficit of insulin -> hyperglycemia & multiple metabolic abnormalities; can occur when pancreas does not secrete enough insulin or body cells are resistant to insulin's effects –blood glucose level becomes high after the ingestion of carbohydrates |
DIGOXIN | improves cardiac efficiency by slowing the heart rate and increasing the force of cardiac contraction |
DYSPLASIA | cells vary in size and shape and show increased mitotic figures |
EDEMA | accumulation of excess fluid in cells, tissue, or cavity, resulting in swelling |
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM | diagnostic tool used to both confirm a diagnosis of seizures and classify the type of seizure |
EMBOLUS/THROMBUS | a mass, e.g., blood clot, air, fat, tumor cells, that breaks away into the circulation and obstructs a blood vessel |
ENCEPHALITIS | infection often transmitted by mosquitoes |
ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMA EARLY SIGN | minor vaginal bleeding or spotting |
ENDOMETRIOSIS | presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, on structures such as the ovaries, ligaments, or colon |
ENTAMOEBA HISTOLYTICA | Transmitted by cysts in feces, contaminating food and water |
EPIDURAL HEMATOMA | contusion, bruise, or clot of blood located between dura and skull |
EPINEPHRINE | Bronchodilator with rapid action, and short duration |
EPITHELIAL CELLS | first cells to be most affected by chemo and radiation treatments |
ETIOLOGY | study of causes of a disease |
FAT EMBOLI | type of pulmonary emboli from the bone marrow resulting from fracture of a large bone like the femur causing pulmonary inflammation and obstruction |
FULL-THICKNESS BURN | dry, firm, charred or white surface after burn. |
FUROSEMIDE (LASIX) - Hydrocholorathyazide | decreases sodium and fluid retention in the body tissues. |
GENERAL CUTANEOUS VASODILATION | increases peripheral blood flow during periods of the inflammatory process. |
ACUTE BILATERAL GLOMERULONEPHRITIS | may cause acute renal failure |
GLUCOCORTICOIDS | long-term uses does not give relief of fever, but may result in decreased secretion from the adrenal cortex gland leading to Cushings disease |
GREENSTICK FRACTURE | bone is only partially broken, common is softer bones of children |
GUILLAIN-BARRE SYNDROME | serious autoimmune disorder with inflammation and demyelination of peripheral nerves leading to ascending paralysis |
HEMORRHAGIC CVA | blood vessel in part of the brain becomes weak and bursts open, causing blood to leak into the brain. Type of CVA with poorest prognosis for survival. |
HEPARIN | a substance present in the body to prevent blood clotting – anti-coagulant like coumadin and streptokinase |
HISTAMINE | chemical mediator released during imflammatory cycle with prostaglandins |
HIV Postive | HIV and antibodies in the blood, without signs of active infection . HIV infection impairs both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. |
HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA | malignancy involving the T-lymphocytes |
HOST-VERSUS-GRAFT | Transplant rejection - the host/recipient’s immune system rejects the graft/transplanted organ |
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE/CHOREA | inherited adult onset disorder; progressive atrophy of brain affects motor & cognitive functions. 1 of 3 genetic diseases w/disorders of biochem. abnormalities involving neurotransmitters of the brain – other two are Bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. |
UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION | cause ischemia and loss of function to the brain,s kidneys, and retinas |
HYPERTROPHY OF THE HEART | Increased size of the muscle due to increased size of individual cells |
INCUBATION PERIOD | time between exposure to microorganism and onset of signs or symptoms |
ETIOLOGY INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES | genetic and immunologic |
INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE ACTIONS | onset chem mediators from damaged mast cells & platelets..Vasodilation, incr blood flow ->redness & incr heat; exudation/ leakage of plasma proteins, fluid into tissue/edema ->swelling; Vascular chgs: vasodilation, Incr permeability; Incr blood flow |
INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE SIGNS | redness, warmth, swelling, pain, freq loss fx |
INTERMITTENT CLAUDICATION | Leg pain associated with exercise due to muscle ischemia |
KAPOSI’S SARCOMA | A skin cancer now frequently associated with AIDS |
LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTPUT | should = right ventricular output in a normal, healthy heart. |
LESION | specific local change in tissue |
LEUKEMIAS | form of cancer primarily treated by chemotherapy |
LOCAL VASOCONSTRICTION | may be achieved by application of ice to a localized injury to reduce edema |
LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS | Promotes the formation of atheromas |
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM | cancer |
MELENA | black, tarry stool caused by bleeding in the digestive tract (not occult blood) |
MENINGITIS | infection of the meninges covering the brain and spinal cord causing increased intracranial pressure and Infection |
MICROBIAL MUTATION | method by which a virus changes slightly during replication |
MULTIPLE MYELOMA | cancer involving the plasma cells, which invade the bone marrow, destroying bones in the vertebrae, ribs, pelvis, and skull |
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS | group of chronic progressive disorders, resulting from demyelination in the brain, spinal cord, and cranial nerves |
NECROSIS | death or destruction of tissue |
NEUTROPENIA | deficit of neutrophils in the blood caused by chemo and radiation leading to high risk for infections |
ORGAN SYSTEM | group of organs performing similar or complimentary functions within the body |
OSTEODYSTOPHY | Associated with chronic renal failure due to the failure of the kidney to activate Vitamin D. |
OSTEOPOROSIS | loss of bone density and mass leading to fragile bones and spontaneous fractures |
OTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION | common adverse effect of anti-hypertensive medications |
OTORRHEA | seepage of CSF from the ear, especially a purulent one |
PARANEOPLASTIC SYNDROME | effects of substances such as hormones secreted by the tumor cells. |
EARLY MANIFESTATIONS PARKINSON’S DISEASE | tremors while at rest of the hands and difficulty in initiating voluntary movements. |
PATHOLOGIC FRACTURE | stress or pressure fractures due to disease , chemo, or radiation |
CAUSES OF PERICARDITIS (4) | Infection, Abnormal immune responses, Injury, Malignant neoplasms |
PLEURAL EFFUSION | presence of excessive fluid in the pleural cavity |
POST-POLIO SYNDROME LATE SIGNS | progressive fatigue and weakness |
PRIMARY IMMUNE RESPONSE | responding to precise microorganism that immune system has not yet encountered |
PROGNOSIS | probable outcome of a disease |
PROSTAGLANDINS | chemical mediator along with histamine |
PULMONARY EDEMA | causes severe hypoxia because of increasing difficulty in expanding the lungs. |
PULMONARY EMBOLUS | obstruction of a blood vessel in the lungs |
RAPID HEALING | Promoted by closely approximated edges of a wound |
REGENERATION | tissue repair through replacement by identical functioning cells |
REGIONAL ILEITIS | chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the ileum interfering with absorption of proteins and nutrients causing protein and vitamin deficiency |
RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE - LATE EFFECTS | cardiac arrhythmias and heart murmurs |
SCAR TISSUE | Consists primarily of collagen fibers |
SECONDARY POLYCTHEMIA | Associated with severe chronic bronchitis |
SECRETIN | One of the hormones that is secreted by the duodenum when acidic chyme reaches it and stimulates the pancreas during the digestive process |
SEROUS EXUDATE | watery secretion |
SEVERE ADULT RESPIRATORY SYNDROME - SARS | emerging viral infection (coronavirus) that causes severe congestion in the lungs and hypoxia. |
SHOCK | Decreased circulating blood and tissue perfusion |
SICKLE CELL TRAIT | A person who inherits one defective gene develops only a small amount of HbS |
SPINA BIFIDA | Folic acids - supplement prescribed to cut down on the incidence |
SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA | painless, malignant tumor of the epidermis |
STREPTOKINASE | an anticoagulant like heparin, coumadin |
STROKE VOLUME | amt of blood pumped from one ventricle in one contraction |
STRUCTURE OF A VIRUS | A protein coat which encases either RNA or DNA |
SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULATION | Causes the heart rate to increase |
PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM STIMULATION | slows down heart rate |
SYPHILIS | Bacterial Infection |
SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS | An autoimmune disease caused by immune complex deposits of antinuclear antibodies and is distinguished clinically by inflammation in multiple organs |
T-CELL LYMPHOMA | a malignancy involving the T-lymphocytes-first develops in a single lymph node then spreads in an orderly fashion |
TETRALOGY OF FALLOT | congenital heart defect that includes pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect, dextroposition of the aorta, and right ventricular hypertrophy |
THALASSEMIA | genetic defect in hemoglobin causes premature hemolysis of RBCs and severe anemia |
TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS | Vascular disorder caused by temporary reductions in blood supply in an area of the brain causing brief impairment of speech or motor function |
DIRECT TRANSMISSION | touching infectious lesion or sexual intercourse |
TRICHOMONIASIS SIGNS | inflammation of the vagina with a copious yellow discharge and foul odor |
UNCONTROLLED HYPERTENSION | body organs affected - Primarily: kidney, brain, and retinas |
UREMIC SIGNS OF RENAL FAILURE | include all organs of the uremic system only (but not other organs) |
VARICOSE VEINS | dilated and tortuous areas of superficial or deep veins in the legs |
VENTRICULAR OUTPUT | the volume of blood ejected by a ventricle in one minute - depends on heart rate and stroke volume – will be equal for right and left ventricle in a normal healthy heart |
VITAMIN K | required by the liver to synthesize prothrombin |
YEASTS | microorganisms that cause opportunistic infections |
BETA-ADRENERGIC BLOCKING DRUGS | prescribed to decrease the sympathetic stimulation of the heart and reduce the force of contractions. |
FIBRINOGEN | protein that is formed into solid fibrin strands during the clotting process and forms a fibrin mesh around the area in an attempt to localize the injurious agent |
HEART MURMUR | Defective valves that leak or do not open completely |
CONTACT DERMATITIS | skin rash resulting from Type IV hypersensitivity reaction or direct irritation following direct exposure to a substance |
FEVER | caused by the release of pyrogens during an inflammatory process |
SECONDARY IMMUNE RESPONSE | responding to an exact repeat of microorganism or virus (not a mutated form) |
INDIRECT TRANSMISSION | involves intermediary such as a contaminated hand or food, objects |
VECTOR BORNE TRANSMISSION | insect or animal serves as intermediary host, ie malaria |
DROPLET/AIRBORNE TRANSMISSION | inhaling respiratory and salivary excretion of infected person directly or indirectly |
TYPE I HYPERSENSITIVITY | allergic reaction: hay fever, asthma; histamine & other chemical mediators released which can cause anything from inflammation/pruritus to anaphylaxis |
TYPE II HYPERSENSITIVITY | ABO blood incompatability; cyctoxic hypersensitivity; caused by reaction of antigen on blood cells |
TYPE III HYPERSENSITIVITY | Immune Complex - autoimmune disorders; antigen & antibody complex deposits in the tissues cause inflammation & vasculitis |
TYPE IV HYPERSENSITIVITY | Cell-mediated or delayed; contact dermatitis; rash 48-96 hrs after exposure |