Patho concept, scope, and common terms of pathophysiology

Which accurately describes a precipitating factor?

- A condition that triggers an acute episode related to the disease A precipitating factor is a condition that triggers an acute episode related to a disease, such as a patient being exposed to and allergen causing an asthma exacerbation.

Which describes a disease?

- A deviation from the normal limits, structure, or function of any part of the body, or from a state of health A disease is a deviation from the normal limits, structure, or function of any part of the body, or from a state of health

Which is an accurate description of an insidious disease?

- A disease that has a gradual progression with mild or vague signs and symptoms * Insidious is the term used to describe a disease that has a gradual progression with mild or vague signs and symptoms. For example, hypertension can be an insidious disease because it has several nonspecific symptoms.

Which describes the difference between a sign and a symptom?

- A sign is a manifestation that can be measured and are objective; a symptom is a subjective feeling that the patient experiences. * Signs are measurable and observable indicators of a disease, such as a fever or swelling. Symptoms are the things that patients feel and experience, such as pain or nausea.

Which provides an explanation for why are diseases difficult to diagnose?

- Diseases are complex. * It can be difficult to diagnose a disease because diseases are complex. - Some diseases have the same clinical manifestations. * It can be difficult to diagnose a disease because some diseases have the same clinical manifestations (signs and symptoms) as other diseases. - Not all people have equal access to quality diagnostic equipment. * It can be difficult to diagnose a disease because not all people have equal access to quality diagnostic equipment. Some geographic areas in the world do not have well-equipped medical facilities with sophisticated technology, which means providers will have a more difficult time identifying the presence of a disease.

Which statement describes the use of evidence-based practice (EBP)?

- EBP is used to guide treatment methods for managing a disease. * Evidence-based practices are used to support treatment decisions in managing a disease.

Which describes the use of current data and information to make patient care decisions?

- Evidence-based practice Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the use of the most current and best evidence, data, or information for making decisions about patient care.

Which statement describes predisposing factors?

- Factors that indicate whether or not a person is at risk for getting a disease * Predisposing factors are factors that indicate whether or not a person is at risk for getting a disease, such as age, gender, inherited factors, and occupational exposure.

Which statement describes homeostasis?

- Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable environment within the body that is not affected by external changes or factors. * Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable environment within the body that is not affected by external changes or factors. Individuals are generally not aware when these compensation mechanisms are taking place.

Which are benefits to studying the science of pathophysiology?

- It helps update medical technology. The information that is collected through studying pathophysiology can be used to develop and update medical technology for diagnosing and treating diseases. - It helps formulate new drugs and vaccines. The formulation of new drugs and vaccines is a major benefit to studying pathophysiology, because drugs and vaccines can help prevent the onset or spread of diseases. - It helps health-focused organizations to keep the public informed on how to prevent diseases. Disease prevention is an important reason for studying pathophysiology. Health organizations can keep the public informed of new findings in pathophysiology to better teach them about ways to prevent disease.

Which process is the patient having trouble with if the body is unable to reset itself to an internal balance?

- Maintaining homeostasis Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable environment within the body. The body is able to achieve homeostasis by resetting itself through internal mechanisms that work together to create a balance.

Which is an accurate description of prophylaxis?

- Measures that help individuals preserve their health and stop the spread of diseases * Prophylaxis helps individuals preserve their health and stop the spread of diseases, such as taking baby aspirin each day when a person is at risk for heart disease.

Which explains why individuals studying pathophysiology need to stay updated on health care trends?

- New information is constantly being published, which can help treat and prevent diseases. People who study pathophysiology must be current on health care trends because new information is constantly being published and that can help health care providers treat and prevent diseases.

On which is evidence-based practice in pathophysiology based or founded?

- Research trials Research trials provide information about tests and test results that can be used as evidence-based practice. - Clinical guidelines Clinical guidelines provide information that can be used as evidence-based practice, because they are developed by health care professionals. - Medical publications Medical publications provide information that can be used as evidence-based practice, because they are published by professionals in the industry.

Which factors does the World Health Organization (WHO) use to define health?

- Social well-being Social well-being is a factor that is included in the WHO's definition of health, and has to do with the kinds of relationships a person has with others, or how they are doing economically. - Mental well-being Mental well-being is a factor that is included in the WHO's definition of health, and has to do with a person's emotional and behavioral state, such as depression, anxiety, or grief. - Physical well-being Physical well-being is a factor that is included in the WHO's definition of health, and has to do with a person's physiology and anatomy.

Which is the definition of pathogenesis?

- The development of the disease or the sequence of events involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process * Pathogenesis is the development of the disease or the sequence of events involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process.

Which is the definition of morbidity?

- The measure of disease within a group or geographic area * Morbidity is the measure of disease within a group or geographic area.

Which is the definition of incidence?

- The number of new cases of a disease in a given population within a stated time period Incidence is the number of new cases of a disease in a given population within a stated time period

Which accurately describes a pandemic?

- The occurrence of a disease that impacts larger numbers and cases in many regions or continents * A pandemic is the occurrence of a disease that impacts larger numbers and cases in many regions or continents.

Which statement properly uses the term biopsy?

- The pathologist will study the biopsy taken by the surgeon during the procedure. A biopsy is a procedure in which the practitioner collects a very small amount of living tissue that a pathologist then studies to detect the presence of a disease.

Which statement describes epidemiology?

- The science of identifying and studying the pattern or occurrence of disease * Epidemiology is the science of identifying and studying the pattern or occurrence of disease

Which is the correct description of pathophysiology?

- The study of the physiological changes in the body that result from a disease Pathophysiology is the study of the physiological changes in the body that result from a disease and includes elements of both pathology and physiology.

Which is the purpose of disease prevention?

- To actively mitigate or lessen the risk of disease or exposure to predisposing factors The function of prevention is to actively mitigate or lessen the risk of disease or exposure to predisposing factors.

Which is a rationale for studying pathophysiology?

- To develop new medical technology People study pathophysiology to develop new medical technology that can be used for diagnosing or treating diseases. - To find out ways to prevent diseases People study pathophysiology to find out ways to prevent diseases. From this, people can learn how to stay healthier and make better choices in their lives. - To learn more about the ways to treat diseases People study pathophysiology to learn more about the ways to treat diseases. This allows health care professionals to combat diseases more effectively, which yields better outcomes for patients. - To discover how to control the spread of diseases People study pathophysiology to discover how to control the spread of diseases, so that more people around the world or in communities can stay healthy.

Which statement describes the phrase "diagnosing a patient"?

- To identify the presence of a disease A diagnosis is the identification and classification of a disease.

Which is the rationale for studying pathophysiology?

- To understand what causes, treats, and prevents diseases People study pathophysiology to understand what causes, treats, and prevents diseases.

Which statement best describes sequelae?

A possible and unwanted outcome Sequelae are possible and unwanted outcomes, such as paralysis following a stroke.

Match the term to its correct definition.

A stage of a disease when no clinical signs are present > Latent A state when pathologic changes occur without obvious manifestations > Subclinical Early development of a disease with nonspecific signs > Prodromal A local change in tissue, such as blister > Lesion

Which statement describes the term idiopathic?

A term used when the cause of a disease is unknown. Idiopathic is the term used when the cause of a disease is unknown.

A patient presents with appendicitis, which is causing him severe pain. According to the health care provider, the onset of the appendicitis was sudden and abrupt. Which is the term used to describe the development of the patient's appendicitis?

Acute Acute is the correct term to describe how the patient's appendicitis developed. Acute means a short-term illness that develops quickly with obvious signs and symptoms, such as severe pain.

Which are factors that affect normal limits?

Age Age is a factor that can affect an individual's normal limits. Older adults may have a different set of normal limits than toddlers. Gender Gender is a factor that can affect an individual's normal limits. Women, for instance, have a lower hemoglobin level than men. Environment Environment is a factor that can affect an individual's normal limits. For instance, a person living in higher altitude is expected to have higher levels of hemoglobin than one living in lower altitude. Athletic ability Athletic ability is a factor that can affect an individual's normal limits. For instance, athletes have lower resting heart rates.

Which are considered predisposing factors?

Age Diet Gender Occupational exposure

Which understanding and background knowledge is required for studying pathophysiology?

Anatomy Those studying pathophysiology must call on their knowledge of anatomy, because this will help them differentiate between normal and abnormal anatomical findings. Physiology Those studying pathophysiology must call on their knowledge of physiology, because this will help them differentiate between normal and abnormal deviations of physical function.

Which is another term for signs and symptoms?

Clinical manifestations Clinical manifestations are the clinical evidence or effects of a disease, and are also called signs and symptoms.

Which term is used to describe widespread occurrence of a disease, in which there are a higher than expected number of cases within a given area?

Epidemic An epidemic is where there are a higher than expected number of cases within a given area.

Which actions are examples of the term prevention?

Going on a diet Going on a diet is a behavioral modification, which is a form of prevention. Getting vaccinated Getting vaccinated against diseases is a form of prevention, because it helps keep a person healthy and avoid certain illnesses, like the flu. Exercising five times a week Exercising is a form of prevention, because it involves keeping the body active and decreases the risk of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Moving to a city that has less pollution Moving to a city that has less pollution is a form of prevention, because it is an action step that involves removing or lessening harmful materials in the environment.

Which term describes a disease that is caused by a medical procedure?

Iatrogenic Iatrogenic is the term used to describe a disease that is caused by a procedure, treatment, or medical error.

A patient develops a secondary infection as a result of his chemotherapy treatment. Which term is used to describe the cause of the infection?

Iatrogenic Iatrogenic is the term used when a disease/condition occurs as a result of a medical treatment, medicine, diagnostic test, or medical error

Which describes the difference between incidence and prevalence when discussing disease occurrence?

Incidence is the number of new cases and prevalence is the number of new and old cases. Incidence is the number of new disease cases in a given population and within a stated time period, and prevalence is the number of new and old cases.

Which is the purpose of an autopsy?

It examines a patient after death. An autopsy is an examination of a patient after the patient is deceased. It helps the pathologist determine the cause of death.

Which are etiologic agents?

Microorganisms Microorganisms are etiologic agents because they can cause disease. Congenital defects Congenital defects are etiologic agents because many people develop diseases due to congenital disorders that are present at birth. Inherited disorders Inherited disorders are etiologic agents because many people develop diseases or disorders that have various inheritance patterns. Environmental factors Environmental factors are etiologic agents because many people develop illnesses that are associated with environmental exposure to chemicals, toxins, and pollution. Nutritional deficiencies Nutritional deficiencies are etiologic agents because people can develop diseases from having poor nutrition, such as low iron or high sodium levels.

Which term relates to the number of deaths within a certain area?

Mortality Mortality is the measure of deaths within a given group or area resulting from a particular disease.

Which term is used to describe the state in which a disease spreads from one part of the globe to another?

Pandemic A pandemic is the occurrence of a disease that impacts larger numbers and cases in regions around the world. Therefore, a disease spreading from one country to another is a pandemic.

Which resources can be used to find the most up to date clinical information?

Peer-reviewed journals Peer-reviewed journals provide current information in the health care field. Seminars and conferences Seminars and conferences provide the most current clinical information because health care professionals provide audience members with up-to-date knowledge. Continuing education series Continuing education series provide current clinical information because CE courses are based on evidence and facts. Professional organization websites Professional organization websites, such as the WHO and CDC, provide current clinical information because these organizations stay on top of publishing current data.

A patient encounters a specific allergen that causes an asthma attack. Which term would be used to describe the allergen?

Precipitating factor The exposure to the allergen provokes the asthma attack, so therefore it is a precipitating factor for asthma.

Which term is used to describe the state when a patient's signs and symptoms related to their disease subside?

Remission Remission is a stage in which the signs and symptoms related to the disease subside.

Match the term with its correct description.

The probability for recovery or other outcome > Prognosis A high occurrence of disease in a particular area >Endemic The measure of disease within a group or geographic area > Morbidity Identifying and studying the pattern or occurrence of disease > Epidemiology

Match the term to the correct description.

The study or science of the causative factors for diseases >Etiology Indications of whether or not a person is at risk for disease > Predisposing factors Taking steps to actively mitigate or lessen the risk of disease > Prevention Helping individuals preserve their health and stop the spread of diseases > Prophylaxis

Which statement best describes epidemiology?

Using data to study how diseases are transmitted from person to person, or area to area Epidemiology is the science of identifying the pattern and occurrence of disease. It uses data to study how diseases are transmitted among people and geographic locations.