Essentials of Pathophysiology – Exam #1 Review Sheet
Covers Modules 1, 2, and 3 – Chapters 1, 2, 6, 12, and 13
1. Define pathophysiology. What does the study of pathophysiology include? The study of the
disorder breakdown of the human body’s function. Includes Etiology: study or causes of
phenomena, Pathogenesis: development or evolution of disease, Clinical Manifestations: signs and
symptoms, Treatment implications- Understanding of all of the following of disorder or disease
may determine which treatments could be helpful.
2. Review the difference between signs and symptoms/objective versus subjective data
• Signs- objective or observed manifestation of disease EX: rash, change in temperature
• Symptoms- subjective feeling of abnormality in the body EX: pain, nausea
3. What is epidemiology? Review the different levels of disease prevention such as primary,
secondary, and tertiary as well as examples for each.
• The study of the patterns of disease involving population; Types: Primary- reducing
exposure for susceptible persons EX: immunizations; Secondary- Early detection, screening
or management of disease EX: cancer screenings, monthly breast examinations; Tertiary-
Preventing further complications from disease EX: rehabilitation, supportive care, reducing
disability
4. What is homeostasis? A state in which all systems are in balance, a state of equilibrium.
5. Review the three different stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) including the alarm
stage, adaptation/resistance, and exhaustion stage. What complications can occur if stressors are
not resolved? Alarm stage- when we encounter a stressful situation. Causes us to go into fight or
flight mode. (sympathetic nervous system) Hypothalamus secretes corticotropin releasing
hormone (CRH) to activate the sympathetic nervous system SNS and adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH)/ Resistance Stage- activity of the nervous and endocrine systems in returning the body to
homeostasis; If the stressor is not removed then exhaustion occurs. Exhaustion- Point to where the
body can no longer return to homeostasis, body becomes depleted and damage can occur.
6. What hormones are released during the alarm stage and what effects do they have on the
body? CRH and ACTH
7. Review the differences between the sympathetic vs the parasympathetic nervous systems. What
happens to the body during “fight-or-flight” response? Parasympathetic- rest and digest
Sympathetic- fight or flight. When body is in fight or flight its in survival mode. Directs nutrients
and blood flow to important parts of the body like the lungs and skeletal system. Decreased saliva,
urination, stomach
8. Review the functions of the various organelles of the cell such as the nucleus,
mitochondria, ribosome, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisome, golgi apparatus
Nucleus- control center or “brain” of the cell, DNA and genes are stored here. Production of
messenger RNA- contains the instructions needed to build nearly all the body’s proteins; most cells
contain only one nucleus, but liver and skeletal muscle cells contain more. Red blood cells have no
nucleus. DNA comes from white blood cells if not from nucleus/ Mitochondria- powerhouse of the cell,
that contain their own DNA, cellular respiration, production of ATP from glucose/ Ribosomes- site of
protein production/ Endoplasmic reticulum- folded membranes that move proteins around the cell.
Smooth and rough. Smooth- ribosomes are not attached, Rough- ribosomes are attached/ Golgi
, Apparatus- sorts and packages proteins/ Lysosome- breaks down food particles or worn out cell parts/
Peroxisome- contains enzymes (oxidase and catalase) to break down toxic waste products
Covers Modules 1, 2, and 3 – Chapters 1, 2, 6, 12, and 13
1. Define pathophysiology. What does the study of pathophysiology include? The study of the
disorder breakdown of the human body’s function. Includes Etiology: study or causes of
phenomena, Pathogenesis: development or evolution of disease, Clinical Manifestations: signs and
symptoms, Treatment implications- Understanding of all of the following of disorder or disease
may determine which treatments could be helpful.
2. Review the difference between signs and symptoms/objective versus subjective data
• Signs- objective or observed manifestation of disease EX: rash, change in temperature
• Symptoms- subjective feeling of abnormality in the body EX: pain, nausea
3. What is epidemiology? Review the different levels of disease prevention such as primary,
secondary, and tertiary as well as examples for each.
• The study of the patterns of disease involving population; Types: Primary- reducing
exposure for susceptible persons EX: immunizations; Secondary- Early detection, screening
or management of disease EX: cancer screenings, monthly breast examinations; Tertiary-
Preventing further complications from disease EX: rehabilitation, supportive care, reducing
disability
4. What is homeostasis? A state in which all systems are in balance, a state of equilibrium.
5. Review the three different stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) including the alarm
stage, adaptation/resistance, and exhaustion stage. What complications can occur if stressors are
not resolved? Alarm stage- when we encounter a stressful situation. Causes us to go into fight or
flight mode. (sympathetic nervous system) Hypothalamus secretes corticotropin releasing
hormone (CRH) to activate the sympathetic nervous system SNS and adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH)/ Resistance Stage- activity of the nervous and endocrine systems in returning the body to
homeostasis; If the stressor is not removed then exhaustion occurs. Exhaustion- Point to where the
body can no longer return to homeostasis, body becomes depleted and damage can occur.
6. What hormones are released during the alarm stage and what effects do they have on the
body? CRH and ACTH
7. Review the differences between the sympathetic vs the parasympathetic nervous systems. What
happens to the body during “fight-or-flight” response? Parasympathetic- rest and digest
Sympathetic- fight or flight. When body is in fight or flight its in survival mode. Directs nutrients
and blood flow to important parts of the body like the lungs and skeletal system. Decreased saliva,
urination, stomach
8. Review the functions of the various organelles of the cell such as the nucleus,
mitochondria, ribosome, lysosome, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisome, golgi apparatus
Nucleus- control center or “brain” of the cell, DNA and genes are stored here. Production of
messenger RNA- contains the instructions needed to build nearly all the body’s proteins; most cells
contain only one nucleus, but liver and skeletal muscle cells contain more. Red blood cells have no
nucleus. DNA comes from white blood cells if not from nucleus/ Mitochondria- powerhouse of the cell,
that contain their own DNA, cellular respiration, production of ATP from glucose/ Ribosomes- site of
protein production/ Endoplasmic reticulum- folded membranes that move proteins around the cell.
Smooth and rough. Smooth- ribosomes are not attached, Rough- ribosomes are attached/ Golgi
, Apparatus- sorts and packages proteins/ Lysosome- breaks down food particles or worn out cell parts/
Peroxisome- contains enzymes (oxidase and catalase) to break down toxic waste products
