Portage Learning Pathophysiology NURS 231
Final Review Exam
What is the definition of "pathophysiology"?
is defined as not only the cellular and organ changes that occur with disease, but also
the effects that these changes have on total body function.
Biologic agents (bacteria, viruses), physical forces (trauma, burns, radiation), chemical
agents (poisons, alcohol), one's genetic inheritance, and nutritional excesses or
deficiencies.
Name the 5 etiologic factors and give an example if listed.
Risk factors include congenital conditions (conditions at birth) and acquired defects
(conditions that occur after birth).
What 2 types of risk factors are identified?
Morphology represents the basic structure or form of cells or tissues. Histology is the
study of cells and extracellular matrix of body tissues.
What does the term morphology mean compared to histology?
A symptom is a subjective complaint, such as pain, difficulty breathing, or vertigo. A
sign is an objective finding, such as tachycardia, edema of an extremity, or variation in
pupillary size.
,Describe the difference between signs and symptoms, and give one example of each.
A diagnosis is established through history, physical exam (PE), and sometimes
diagnostic studies.
What are 3 important mechanisms to establish a diagnosis?
Validity refers to the actual measurement of what the tool is supposed to measure.
Reliability refers to the likelihood that the same result would occur if the test were
repeated. Sensitivity is the percentage of people with a disease who test positive for
that disease. Specificity refers to people without the disease who test negative on a
given test.
Validity, reliability, sensitivity, and specificity: Define each.
Epidemiology is the study of disease occurrence in human populations. It tracks age,
race, dietary habits, lifestyle, or geographic location.
Define epidemiology and name some things that it tracks.
Incidence is the number of new cases in a population at risk during a specified time.
Prevalence is the number of people with the disease in a population in a given time.
What's the difference between incidence and prevalence?
Morbidity is the effect of an illness on one's life. Mortality statistics deal with the cause
of death in a population.
Define mortality and morbidity.
,Primary prevention is to remove risk factors to prevent disease from occurring- taking
folic acid while pregnant to prevent neural tube defects, vaccinating children to prevent
communicable disease, eating healthy and exercising to prevent heart disease, and
wearing seatbelts or helmets. Secondary prevention aims at early detection and
treatment of disease, usually before symptoms occur and while the condition is still
curable: routine annual Pap smears to detect early cervical cancer, smoking cessation
programs, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and colonoscopy screening. Tertiary
prevention occurs after a disease has been diagnosed and clinical intervention is
needed to reduce complications or deterioration- certain medications one must take
after a heart attack to help reduce the risk of a future event or death.
Define primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention and give an example of each.
Evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best
evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. This is to counteract
"the way things have always been done," and to practice based on clinical research.
Why is evidence-based practice important?
All eukaryotic cells contain three major structures that are considered to be functional
components of the cell. These are the nucleus, the cytoplasm, and the plasma
membrane.
What are the 3 major structures of the cell?
The nucleus serves as the control center for the cell, containing most of the hereditary
material, DNA and RNA.
What is the role of the nucleus?
Chromatin, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope
Name 3 organelles that are found within the nucleus
The organelles of the cytoplasm are the ribosomes, ER, Golgi complex, mitochondria,
, and lysosomes.
What organelles do the cytoplasm contain?
Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis in the cell. The rough ER contains ribosomes
and functions to synthesize lysosomal enzymes. The smooth ER does not contain
ribosomes and is the site for lipid, lipoprotein, and steroid hormone synthesis.
What are the functions of the ribosomes, rough ER, and smooth ER?
Lysosomes are the digestive system of the cell. Peroxisomes are smaller than
lysosomes and function in the control of free radicals. Mitochondria are aptly termed the
"power plants" of the cell, as they transform organic compounds (energy in food) into
cellular energy for the cell.
What is the function of the lysosomes, peroxisomes, and mitochondria?
It is composed of a network of microtubules, microfilaments, intermediate filaments and
thick filaments. They provide shape and motility to the cell.
Explain what the cytoskeleton is composed of and its function?
Cilia
Most of the epithelial linings possess cilia. For example, nasal sinuses, and bronchi in
the upper respiratory system. While flagella are only found in spermatozoa in the human
body.