Ch. 1 - Introduction to Pathophysiology

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

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

includes:

• injuries

• disorders

• illness

• syndromes

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

to prevent disease and facilitate early diagnosis and intervention

precise cause of disease

• pathogen

• multifactoral

• idiopathic

• nosocomial

• iatrogenic

disease causing microorganism

having more than one cause

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

no known cause; as high as 80% of cases

caused by an infection received in a healthcare environment

improper staff hand washing causing transmission of CDIFF

inadvertently caused by medical treatment

a UTI after foley catheterization

presenting signs and symptoms of disease

objective, measurable data

• lab results

• vitals

subjective, pt. reported (feelings)

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

swelling or bruising

manifestations present throughout the body, not confined to one area

fever or high BP

begin abruptly and lasts a few days to months

the common cold

gradual (insidious) onset and lasts longer than 6 months

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

• DM

• cancer

• HTN

flaring of symptoms

no noticeable symptoms despite diagnostic testing indicating disease presence

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

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

complete recovery

• morbidity

• mortality

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

death

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

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

perceived wholeness of body, mind, and spirit

a state resulting in suffering or distress

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

the study of disease in populations

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

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

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

dramatic increase in incidence (within a certain area)

an epidemic that spreads across continents

prevention of a disease from occuring; primary = PREVENTION

early detection of disease by screening; secondary = SCREENING

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

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

• goes beyond one piece of research

• encompasses all of what is known through research

• respects human health variations

• gender

• age

• race

• locale

• socioeconomic status

• ethnicity

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