PLTW PBS 2.1

non-physician practitioner

Health care provider who practices either in collaboration with or under the supervision of a physician. Some examples include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and physician assistants.

erythrocytes

Hemoglobin-rich, red blood cells that transport oxygen through a body. They give the red color to vertebrate blood and do not have nuclei.

Vital signs provide an overview of how healthy the patient is--how well your systems are working, is everything working correctly: like a diagnostic test that tells what might be wrong with your car.

How do vital signs allow medical professionals to assess a patient's physiology and overall health?

physical activity; stress; illness

Identify at least two factors that can affect respiratory rate and describe how they affect it.

Blood pressure could be self-monitored if you have hypertension; an overweight or obese person could watch their weight, what they eat, and their exercise.

Identify one chronic condition that would benefit from regular self-monitoring of one or more of these vital signs? What would an individual with that condition monitor and why would they do so?

lipids

Include fats, phospholipids, and steroids. They are insoluble in water, and are a secondary source of energy for cells.

carbohydrates

Include sugar, starch, and cellulose. They are found in foods and living tissues, and are a primary source of energy for cells.

physical signs

Pieces of evidence that indicate an illness that can be observed externally, such as a rash, coughing, or elevated temperature.

white blood cells

The cells that the body uses to fight infection and injury and maintain our health; 5 different types.

red blood cells

The cells that transport oxygen around the body.

clear

A (blank) whoosh of air with each inhalation and exhalation.

depends on state

A 16-year-old is pregnant and visits her doctor. Her mother calls the doctor's office later with questions about the visit. She asks about the due date, the heart rate of the baby, methods of delivery, genetic risks, and so on. The doctor answers all of the mother's questions.

yes

A 33-year-old woman visited her doctor for a routine checkup. The doctor called back a week later to report the lab results. The husband answered the phone, and the doctor shared the results with the husband.

risk factor

A behavioral, environmental, genetic, psychological, or demographic attribute that increases risk or susceptibility.

complete blood count

A blood test that is run as part of a routine exam or if there are signs or symptoms that may indicate a potential condition impacting blood cells.

ATP

A compound composed of adenosine and three phosphate groups that supplies energy for many biochemical cellular processes.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

A comprehensive set of standards and practices designed to give patients specific rights regarding their personal health information (PHI).

yes

A family has enrolled their child in a new middle school. The school reaches out to the child's doctor and requests the vaccination records for the child. The doctor's office emails the records to the school.

insulin

A protein hormone secreted by the pancreas; essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation of glucose levels in the blood.

medical history

A record of information about a patient's past and current health. Includes information about the patient's habits, lifestyle, and even the health of their family.

hormone

A signaling molecule produced by glands; induces a specific effect on the activity of cells.

glucose

A simple sugar that the body uses for energy. High levels may indicate risk for diabetes.

rhonchi

A snore-like sound heard when airways are partially obstructed.

primary care physician

A specialist physician trained ot work in the front line of a healthcare system and provide care for any health problems that a patient might have.

pediatrician

A specialist physician who provides medical care to infants, children, and adolescents.

medical student

A student enrolled at a medical school, who is training to become a physician.

yes

A teacher receives an email from the principal saying that one of her students will be gone for 2 weeks. The teacher reaches out to the principal to ask if the student has COVID, he says yes.

referral

A written order from a primary care doctor for a patient to see a specialist or to get a particular medical service, such as physical therapy after an injury.

genetic counselor

Advises families on their risk for inheriting or passing on certain diseases.

metabolism

The chemical reaction processes of breaking down molecules for energy and of using simple building blocks to build up more complex molecules needed for growth and repair.

body temperature

The degree of heat of an organism. Measured in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius using a thermometer.

peripheral vision

The doctor asks the patient to look forward while slowly moving their hands back to see how far back they can still see hands while still keeping their eyes forward.

memory

The doctor has a tray with 5 items on it and then removes the tray and has the patient say what the items were.

facial nerve function

The doctor has the patient close their eyes and scrunch up their face as the doctor tries to force their eyes open.

smell

The doctor has the patient eat a food while blindfolded and identify what the food is.

hearing

The doctor has the patient raise their hand when they detect different noise frequencies.

coordination

The doctor has the patient turn their hands over and back as fast as they can.

gait

The doctor has the patient walk around the room.

eye movement

The doctor holds a pen in front of the patient's eyes and asks them to follow the pen from side to side.

sensation

The doctor lightly pricks the patient with a needle in different parts of their body.

reflex

The doctor taps the patient underneath their kneecap.

pupillary response

The doctor turns off the lights in the room and shines a bright light in the patient's eye.

border

The edges of the mole are irregular or jagged.

blood pressure

The force exerted by blood upon the walls of blood vessels, especially arteries, usually measured with a sphygmomanometer and expressed in millimeters of mercury.

homeostasis

The maintenance of stable internal physiological conditions (like body temperature or the pH of blood), which enables the optimal functioning of an organism.

leukocytes

The many cells in the blood that lack hemoglobin but have a nucleus and are active in the immune response; white blood cells. Lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are examples.

height

The measure of how tall a person is from top of head to bottom of feet. Measured in feet/inches or meters/centimeters using a measuring tape or other type of ruler.

thrombocytes

The minute, colorless, anucleate disk-like body of mammalian blood that assist in blood clotting by adhering to other platelets and damaged epithelium.

evolving

The mole appears to be changing (shape, color, size) over time.

respiratory rate

The number of breaths an organism takes per minute.

plasma

The pale yellow, liquid portion of blood that consists of water and dissolved substances, including sugars, lipids, metabolic waste products, amino acids, hormones, and vitamins.

motor strenth

The patient puts their hands in front of them and pushes against the doctor's hands as the doctor gently pushes back.

chief complaint

The patient's description of what they feel is their main health problem.

hematocrit

The proportion of red blood cells to plasma, the fluid component, in blood.

pulse

The rhythmic expansion and recoil of arteries resulting from heart contraction. Measured as number of heart beats per minute.

triage

The sorting and prioritization of patients based on the urgency of their need for care.

lung/breath sounds

The sound and clarity of breaths. Measured qualitatively as a description of the sound (clear, wheezing, crackles) using a stethoscope.

nucleic acids

They carry the instructions for producing proteins; DNA and RNA. They are not a source of energy for cells.

patient liason

Works with patients and their families to address needs and concerns. Acts as an intermediary between patients, their families and the hospital administration.

hyperglycemia

high blood sugar

specialist physician

psychiatrists and cardiologists

insulin resistance

the pancreas makes insulin but the cells in the body do not respond to it

hemoglobin

The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.

chemical reaction

A process where atoms and/or molecules are rearranged to transform matter.

nurse

Licensed healthcare professional who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health.

high-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it to the liver; good cholesterol.

type 2 diabetes

A form of diabetes that develops especially in adults, most often obese individuals. It is characterized by high blood glucose resulting from impaired insulin use coupled with the body's inability to compensate with increased insulin production.

type 1 diabetes

A form of diabetes that usually develops during childhood or adolescence. It is characterized by a severe deficiency of insulin, leading to high blood glucose levels.

wheezing

A high-pitched whistling sound caused by narrowed airways; can sometimes be heard without a stethoscope.

glucagon

A hormone secreted by pancreatic endocrine cells that raises blood glucose levels; an antagonistic hormone to insulin.

biomolecule

A large molecule, or macromolecule, produced by living organisms. Examples include: nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

cholesterol

A lipid that is an essential component of animal cell membranes and acts as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of other biologically important steroids.

body mass index (BMI)

A measure of body fat that is the ratio of the weight of the body to its height. It is calculated using the formula: (weight (lbs) / [height (in)]²) x 703

negative feedback

A mechanism of homeostasis in which a change in a physiological variable triggers a reduction in another variable; causes the system to stop doing the original action and to either take no action or to perform an opposite action.

positive feedback

A mechanism of homeostasis in which a change in a physiological variable triggers an increase in another variable; causes a reinforcement of the original action.

yes

A physical therapist and a nurse are riding in the elevator together. During their ride they loudly discuss by name a patient, whom they both have had for some time now. The elevator is full of people who can all hear them refer to the patient by name.

symptoms

Any subjective evidence of disease a patient perceives, such as aches, nausea, or fatigue. They allow the health care provider to narrow down the possible conditions that may be affecting the patient and then run tests to make a diagnosis.

An asthmatic would monitor their oxygen saturation to know how much oxygen their cells are receiving. If the cells are not receiving enough oxygen from the blood they will start deteriorating, which can lead to severe problems. They are not able to get enough oxygen and are not able to get carbon dioxide out, which can cause them to have too much carbon dioxide and die.

Asthma is a chronic condition in which an individual experiences episodes of narrowed or obstructed airways. Why would it be important to monitor the oxygen saturation of a person with severe asthma?

no

At the age of 35, a patient is diagnosed with the flu. She is hospitalized with severe symptoms but recovered with no problems. Her doctor reports her illness to the local department of public health.

licensed practical nurse (LPN)

Bottom level; least amount of education (Associate's degree or certificate from nursing program); must pass a test to receive license; work under supervision of registered nurse. Duties include measuring vital signs, taking blood pressure, taking temperature, applying bandages, collecting urine, and maintaining patient records.

low-density lipoprotein (LDL)

Builds up in the arteries and help form plaques, which can cause coronary artery disease; bad cholesterol.

stridor

Harsh, shrill sound, similar to wheezing, usually heard closest to the back of the neck, as it is caused by a partially obstructed windpipe.

drones

Deliver aid to to disaster zones.

Ambient temperature; physical activity; illness

Describe one factor that can affect the measurement of your body temperature and explain how it affects it.

phone reminders

Direct patients to take their medicine or to get a vaccine.

tact

Discretion and sensitivity in dealing with others; a doctor might choose their words carefully so as to not upset a patient when they must deliver bad news.

virtual visits

Doctors connect with the patient to share and demonstrate life-saving techniques.

phone alerts

Inform patients about disease outbreaks in their area.

nurse practitioner

Just below the doctor and often fills in for the doctor; Master's degree or doctoral degree; must pass lots of rigorous tests; choose from a wide variety of specialties and sub-specialties. They can order, perform, and interpret diagnostic tests (order blood work and then look at it and tell patient what it means), prescribe medicine, educate patients, provide counseling, and diagnose and treat conditions, but not surgeries.

proteins

Made of building blocks called amino acids. Their form and function are determined by a cell's nucleic acid sequence. It is a last resort source of energy for cells.

vital signs

Measurements—specifically pulse rate, temperature, respiration rate, and blood pressure—that indicate the state of a patient's essential body functions.

electrolytes

Minerals found in the blood, urine, and other tissues. Examples such as sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride help keep a water balance in the body, move nutrients into cells and wastes out, and make sure that the nerves, brain, muscles, and heart function properly.

blood disorder

Normal blood or blood disorder?

normal blood

Normal blood or blood disorder?

asymmetry

One half of the mole does not match the shape of the other half.

demeanor

Outward behavior or bearing. A doctor might have a cheerful, peaceful, or friendly one and put the patient at ease. A doctor with an arrogant or dismissive one might lose a patient's trust.

registered nurse (RN)

Second level; Associate's or Bachelor's degree; must pass test for license; generally pick a special area (pediatrics, cardiovascular, surgical). Jobs include maintaining patient records, giving medicine and shots, performing treatments, and ordering and evaluating diagnostic tests (blood work).

crackles

Short and intermittent clicking, rattling, or popping sounds heard during inhalation when air is forced through an airway narrowed by fluid; rattles.

color

Shows different (blank) or shades throughout, instead of one uniform (blank).

diameter

The (blank) of the mole is larger than a pencil eraser.

empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

weight

The amount a person weighs. Measured in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg) using a scale.

oxygen saturation

The amount of oxygen in the blood. Measured as a percentage using a pulse oximeter.

platelets

The cell fragments that assist with clotting.

no

Two doctors are having a private lunch together in the physician dining room which is empty. As they eat, they talk about the man with the terrible sores that they recently treated.

medical assistant

Unlicensed caregiver who works primarily in doctor's offices and clinics. They assist their medical director through a wide variety of duties.

medical technician

Uses sophisticated equipment and has different responsibilities. Some work directly with patients (a phlebomotomist draws blood) whild other work in a lab (a histotechnician analyzes tissues).

blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine

Waste products filtered out of blood by the kidneys. Levels give an indication of how well the kidneys are functioning.

Prehypertension is elevated blood pressure. It is important to know if you are so you can make lifestyle changes (diet and exercise).

What is prehypertension? Why do you think it is valuable to know if you are considered prehypertensive? If you are considered prehypertensive, what are some steps you can take to lower your blood pressure?

heart rate changes (stress)

Why do you think it is important to take an average resting heart rate versus relying on one value alone?