NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Concepts to Review
NR 283 Pathophysiology
Exam 1 Concepts to Review
Cellular Biology/Cellular Adaptation/Cellular Injury Chapter 1
o Cellular Adaptation
o Atrophy – decrease in size of cells, resulting in reduced tissue mass (immobilized limb in
a cast)
o Hypertrophy – increase in size of cells, resulting in an enlarged tissue mass (enlarged
heart muscle)
o Hyperplasia – increase in number of cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass (could be
compensatory mechanism or hormonal imbalance, cancer)
o Metaplasia – one mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type (could be
compensatory mechanism)
o Dysplasia – tissue in which the cell varies size & shape, large nuclei are frequently
present, and the rate of mitosis is increased (precancerous - cervical cells)
o Anaplasia – cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and
numerous mitotic figures (in most malignant tumors; basis for grading aggressive tumors)
o Neoplasia “new growth”; Neo - new, Plasm - growth
o Benign – less serious, do not spread, non-life threatening unless found in certain
locations (i.e. brain)
o Malignant – undifferentiated & nonfunctional cells that do not appear organized;
rapid production & abnormal mitotic figures; cancer
o Vocabulary Terms at on page 6-8 (Under headings of “Characteristics of Disease” and
“Disease Prognosis.”)
Characteristic of Disease:
o Pathogenesis: refers to the development of the disease or the sequence of the events
involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process
o Acute disease: indicates a short-term illness that develops quickly with marked signs such
as high fever or severe pain
o Chronic disease: milder condition developing gradually, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but
it persists for a long time and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. Usually
marked by intermittent acute episodes.
o Subclinical State: exist in some conditions in which pathological changes occur but the
patient exhibits no obvious manifestations, perhaps because of the great reserve capacity
of some organs.
o Latent State: silent stage, in which no clinical signs are evident,
o Incubation Period: which is the time between exposure to the microorganism and the
onset of signs or symptoms.
o Prodromal Period: period compromises the time the early development of a disease when
one is aware of a change in the body, but the signs are nonspecific
o Manifestations: of a disease are the clinical evidence or effects, the signs, and symptoms,
of the disease
,NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Concepts to Review
o Local: found at the site of the problem
o Systemic: general indicators of illness
o Signs: objective indicators of disease that are obvious to someone other than the affected
individual. Can be local or systemic
o Symptoms: subjective feelings, such as pain or nausea
o Lesion: term used to describe a specific local change in the tissue. Can be microscopic
o Syndrome: a collection of signs and symptoms, often affecting more than one organ, that
usually occur together in response to a certain condition
o Diagnostic tests: laboratory tests that assist in the diagnosis of a specific disease
o Remission: is a period or condition in which the manifestations of the disease subside,
either permanently or temporarily
o Exacerbations: is a worsening in the severity of the disease or in its signs/symptoms
o Precipitating Factor: condition that triggers an acute episode
o Complications: are new secondary or additional problems that arise after the original
disease begins
o Therapy/ therapeutic interventions: treatment measures used to promote recovery or slow
the progress of a disease. Ex: surgery, drugs, physiotherapy, therapies, behavior
modifications
o Sequelae: the potential unwanted outcomes of the primary condition, such as paralysis
following recovery from stroke
o Convalescence or rehabilitation: period of recovery and return to the normal healthy
state, may last days or months
Disease Prognosis:
o Prognosis: probability or likelihood for recovery or other outcomes
o Morbidity: indicates the disease rate within a group
o Mortality: indicate the relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease
o Autopsy: examination of all or part of the body by a pathologist
o Epidemiology: science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease
o Occurrence: tracked by two factors
o Incidence: the number of new cases in a given population noted within a stated
time frame.
o Prevalence: number of new and old or existing cases within a specific population
and time frame.
o Epidemics: occur when there are a higher than expected number of cases of an infectious
disease within a given area
o Pandemics: higher numbers of cases in many regions of the globe
o Communicable: disease or infections that can be spread from one person to another
o Notifiable/ Reportable: disease must be reported by the physician to certain designated
authorities.
o Types of tissue necrosis
o Liquefaction Necrosis – dead cells liquify due to certain cell enzymes (ex. brain tissue
dies or cavity/ulcer development in affected area)
, NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Concepts to Review
o Coagulative Necrosis – cell proteins are altered or denatured (ex. MI due to lack of
oxygen)
o Fat Necrosis – fatty tissue breaks down into fatty acids in the presence of infection or
certain enzymes
o Caseous Necrosis – form of coagulation necrosis; thick, yellowish, “cheesy” substance
(ex. Tuberculosis)
o Infarction - area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen (ex. MI)
o Gangrene – necrotic tissue due to lack or loss of blood supply followed by invasion of
bacteria
o Seven Steps for Health
1. Be a nonsmoker and avoid second-hand smoke.
2. Eat 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit a day. Choose high-fiber, lower-fat foods. If you
drink alcohol, limit your intake to one to two drinks a day.
3. Be physically active on a regular basis. This will also help you to maintain a healthy body
weight.
4. Protect yourself and your family from the sun.
5. Follow cancer screening guidelines.
6. Visit your doctor or dentist if you notice any change in your normal state of health.
7. Follow health and safety instructions at home and at work when using, storing, and disposing
of hazardous materials.
Genetics Chapter 21
• Congenital: Meaning
o Genetic & inherited disorders present at birth
• Teratogens: Meaning and types
o Agents that cause damage during embryonic or fetal development
o Types:
▪ Physical agents
▪ Metabolic conditions
▪ Infections
▪ Drugs & Chemicals
• Genetic Diseases - know where these examples fall under inheritance; chance of
inheritance as it applies to X-linked, autosomal dominant, and autosomal recessive,
characteristics, and risk factors if applicable.
o Down syndrome: Chromosomal Disorder (Trisomy 21)
▪ Inheritance?
• No
▪ Characteristics:
• Small head, round face, flat facial profile
• Slanted eyes and epicanthic fold
• Large tongue, high-arched palate
• Small hands, single palmar crease
NR 283 Pathophysiology
Exam 1 Concepts to Review
Cellular Biology/Cellular Adaptation/Cellular Injury Chapter 1
o Cellular Adaptation
o Atrophy – decrease in size of cells, resulting in reduced tissue mass (immobilized limb in
a cast)
o Hypertrophy – increase in size of cells, resulting in an enlarged tissue mass (enlarged
heart muscle)
o Hyperplasia – increase in number of cells, resulting in enlarged tissue mass (could be
compensatory mechanism or hormonal imbalance, cancer)
o Metaplasia – one mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type (could be
compensatory mechanism)
o Dysplasia – tissue in which the cell varies size & shape, large nuclei are frequently
present, and the rate of mitosis is increased (precancerous - cervical cells)
o Anaplasia – cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and
numerous mitotic figures (in most malignant tumors; basis for grading aggressive tumors)
o Neoplasia “new growth”; Neo - new, Plasm - growth
o Benign – less serious, do not spread, non-life threatening unless found in certain
locations (i.e. brain)
o Malignant – undifferentiated & nonfunctional cells that do not appear organized;
rapid production & abnormal mitotic figures; cancer
o Vocabulary Terms at on page 6-8 (Under headings of “Characteristics of Disease” and
“Disease Prognosis.”)
Characteristic of Disease:
o Pathogenesis: refers to the development of the disease or the sequence of the events
involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process
o Acute disease: indicates a short-term illness that develops quickly with marked signs such
as high fever or severe pain
o Chronic disease: milder condition developing gradually, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but
it persists for a long time and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. Usually
marked by intermittent acute episodes.
o Subclinical State: exist in some conditions in which pathological changes occur but the
patient exhibits no obvious manifestations, perhaps because of the great reserve capacity
of some organs.
o Latent State: silent stage, in which no clinical signs are evident,
o Incubation Period: which is the time between exposure to the microorganism and the
onset of signs or symptoms.
o Prodromal Period: period compromises the time the early development of a disease when
one is aware of a change in the body, but the signs are nonspecific
o Manifestations: of a disease are the clinical evidence or effects, the signs, and symptoms,
of the disease
,NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Concepts to Review
o Local: found at the site of the problem
o Systemic: general indicators of illness
o Signs: objective indicators of disease that are obvious to someone other than the affected
individual. Can be local or systemic
o Symptoms: subjective feelings, such as pain or nausea
o Lesion: term used to describe a specific local change in the tissue. Can be microscopic
o Syndrome: a collection of signs and symptoms, often affecting more than one organ, that
usually occur together in response to a certain condition
o Diagnostic tests: laboratory tests that assist in the diagnosis of a specific disease
o Remission: is a period or condition in which the manifestations of the disease subside,
either permanently or temporarily
o Exacerbations: is a worsening in the severity of the disease or in its signs/symptoms
o Precipitating Factor: condition that triggers an acute episode
o Complications: are new secondary or additional problems that arise after the original
disease begins
o Therapy/ therapeutic interventions: treatment measures used to promote recovery or slow
the progress of a disease. Ex: surgery, drugs, physiotherapy, therapies, behavior
modifications
o Sequelae: the potential unwanted outcomes of the primary condition, such as paralysis
following recovery from stroke
o Convalescence or rehabilitation: period of recovery and return to the normal healthy
state, may last days or months
Disease Prognosis:
o Prognosis: probability or likelihood for recovery or other outcomes
o Morbidity: indicates the disease rate within a group
o Mortality: indicate the relative number of deaths resulting from a particular disease
o Autopsy: examination of all or part of the body by a pathologist
o Epidemiology: science of tracking the pattern or occurrence of disease
o Occurrence: tracked by two factors
o Incidence: the number of new cases in a given population noted within a stated
time frame.
o Prevalence: number of new and old or existing cases within a specific population
and time frame.
o Epidemics: occur when there are a higher than expected number of cases of an infectious
disease within a given area
o Pandemics: higher numbers of cases in many regions of the globe
o Communicable: disease or infections that can be spread from one person to another
o Notifiable/ Reportable: disease must be reported by the physician to certain designated
authorities.
o Types of tissue necrosis
o Liquefaction Necrosis – dead cells liquify due to certain cell enzymes (ex. brain tissue
dies or cavity/ulcer development in affected area)
, NR 283 Pathophysiology Exam 1 Concepts to Review
o Coagulative Necrosis – cell proteins are altered or denatured (ex. MI due to lack of
oxygen)
o Fat Necrosis – fatty tissue breaks down into fatty acids in the presence of infection or
certain enzymes
o Caseous Necrosis – form of coagulation necrosis; thick, yellowish, “cheesy” substance
(ex. Tuberculosis)
o Infarction - area of dead cells resulting from lack of oxygen (ex. MI)
o Gangrene – necrotic tissue due to lack or loss of blood supply followed by invasion of
bacteria
o Seven Steps for Health
1. Be a nonsmoker and avoid second-hand smoke.
2. Eat 5 to 10 servings of vegetables and fruit a day. Choose high-fiber, lower-fat foods. If you
drink alcohol, limit your intake to one to two drinks a day.
3. Be physically active on a regular basis. This will also help you to maintain a healthy body
weight.
4. Protect yourself and your family from the sun.
5. Follow cancer screening guidelines.
6. Visit your doctor or dentist if you notice any change in your normal state of health.
7. Follow health and safety instructions at home and at work when using, storing, and disposing
of hazardous materials.
Genetics Chapter 21
• Congenital: Meaning
o Genetic & inherited disorders present at birth
• Teratogens: Meaning and types
o Agents that cause damage during embryonic or fetal development
o Types:
▪ Physical agents
▪ Metabolic conditions
▪ Infections
▪ Drugs & Chemicals
• Genetic Diseases - know where these examples fall under inheritance; chance of
inheritance as it applies to X-linked, autosomal dominant, and autosomal recessive,
characteristics, and risk factors if applicable.
o Down syndrome: Chromosomal Disorder (Trisomy 21)
▪ Inheritance?
• No
▪ Characteristics:
• Small head, round face, flat facial profile
• Slanted eyes and epicanthic fold
• Large tongue, high-arched palate
• Small hands, single palmar crease
