NR283 Exam 1 Study Guide
(Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 20, & 21)
*Make sure that you understand all of the terms you are studying, if you don’t know what a term
means, look it up before you continue studying. Take your thinking a step further by asking
yourself “why” as you are reviewing material. This will lead to understanding of the material
versus memorization which will better help you answer questions. Remember, this study guide
does not mirror the exam and you are responsible for all course content; ensure that you have an
understanding of concepts. That being said, if you complete and understand this study guide, you
will be well prepared for the next exam.
*Ensure that you understand all highlighted terms in each chapter
* Answer the question and supplemental questions included with the original question
Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology
1. What are the 7 steps of health?
-Don’t smoke, avoid 2nd hand smoke
-Eat 5-10 servings of vegetables & Fruit daily. High fiber, lower-fat foods. Limit alcoholic drinks to
1 or 2 a day.
-Be active
-Protect yourself & family from the sun
-Follow cancer screening guidelines
-Visit doctor or dentist if any change in normal state of health
-Follow health & safety instructions at home and work when using, storing and disposing of
hazardous materials.
2. What is the definition of disease?
Deviation from normal state or homeostasis: structure or function of any part, organ, system (or
combination of these) or from a state of wellness.
3. Describe what homeostasis is: maintenance of stable internal environment of the body despite
external changes.
a. Which factors indicate how well the body is maintaining homeostasis? (3 listed)
-Blood pressure
-Body Temp
-Fluid Balance
4. Describe the following & list examples:
a. Primary Prevention: Prevention of disease or experiencing an injury in the first place
(doctors, vaccines)
Ex.) immunizations, screenings controlling potential hazards at home, education
i. When is this implemented? Before disease is present
b. Secondary Prevention: Baby aspirin-hypertension, frequent monitoring, modified work
, i. When is this implemented? After illness or risk factors have been diagnosed to
prevent complications. To slow progress of disease, limit long-term disability and
prevent re-injury.
c. Tertiary Prevention: Pain management, support groups, rehab
i. When is this implemented? Diagnosed after complication to prevent & preserve
quality of life. Helping people manage complicated, long term health problems
5. What are the 3 major health professional organizations who conduct research, publish findings,
track certain diseases and are responsible for signaling warning about predisposing conditions or
current treatments?
-United States Public Health Service
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
-State & Local authorities
*Findings are gathered by World Health Organization (WHO)
6. Describe each characteristic of disease:
-Pathogenesis: development of the disease or events involved in tissue changes related to
specific disease process
-Onset: sudden and obvious or acute
-insidious: gradual progression with vague or mild signs
-acute: short-term illnesss developing quickly with marked signs (fever, severe pain)
-Chronic: milder condition developing gradually. Persisting for a long time (rheumatoid
arthritis)
-Subclinical state: pathologic changes occur, no obvious manifestations show by patient
-Latent stage: no clinical signs. Also referred to incubation period, time between exposure to
microorganism and onset of signs or symptoms. Disease may be communicable or contagious.
-Prodromal period: early development of disease when aware of a change in the body, but signs
aren’t specific. Ex.) fatigue, headache.
-Manifestations: clinical evidence or signs and symptoms. Ex.) redness, swelling. May also be
systemic=general indicators of illness like a fever
-Signs: objective or observed by someone other than affected individual. Ex.) fever, rash
-Symptoms: subjective feelings felt and said by patient. Ex.) pain, lethargy etc.
-Lesion: specific local change in a tissue . Ex.) blister or pimple
-Syndrome: collection of signs and symptoms, affecting more than one organ and occur together
due to certain condition
-Diagnostic Tests
-Remissions & exacerbations: course or progress of disease.
-Precipitating factor: condition that triggers an acute episode. Ex.) seizure in individual with a
seizure disorder.
Predisposed factor: at higher risk for disease because of life style habits/genetics. Ex.) coronary
artery disease b/c high cholesterol diet
Sequelae: potential unwanted outcomes of primary condition. Ex.) paralysis following a stroke
Convalescence or Rehab: period of recovery, returning to normal state
, 7. What is prophylaxis and why is it important? What are some examples of prophylactic measures
in health care? Measures designed to preserve health and prevent the incidence or spread of
disease. Provides information that benefit patients’ needs and allows them to make better
decisions about their health. Ex.) Treatment for myocardial infarction for high risk patient= 1
baby aspirin daily.
8. Describe the difference between acute and chronic disease:
Acute is the sudden onset of short term illness with marked signs such as fever, severe pain etc.
Chronic is more mild gradually developing that persists for a long time.
9. Describe the difference between morbidity and mortality:
Morbidity is the disease rates within a group such as stroke cause within a population. Mortality
is the number of deaths resulting from a particular disease.
10. Describe each term of cellular adaptation and list examples:
a. Atrophy: “shrink” decrease in size of cells=reduced tissue mass
i. Ex: limb in cast for several weeks
b. Hypertrophy: “grow in size” increase in size of cells=enlarged tissue mass
i. Ex: exercise on skeletal muscle or weight lifting
c. Hyperplasia: “grow in numbers” increased number of cells=enlarged tissue mass
i. Ex: Uterine enlargement during pregnancy
d. Metaplasia: “replace w/ diff. mature cell” mature cell type is replaced by diff mature cell
type.
i. Ex: In smokers lining of lungs (ciliated columnar epithelium) gets replaced with
more resistant tissue (stratified squamous epithelium). Decreases defense for
lungs.
e. Dysplasia: “dysfunctional” cells vary in size and shape w/in a tissue
i. Ex: Pap smear
f. Anaplasia: “undifferentiated cells” un.diff. cells with variable nuclear and cell structures
i. Ex: Characteristic of cancer, basis for grading aggressiveness of tumors
g. Neoplasia: “new growth” new growth of a tumor, these are differentiated cells
i. Ex: malignant or benign tumors
11. Describe each term related to cell damage and list examples:
a. Apoptosis: Programmed cell death
b. Ischemia/Hypoxia
Ischemia: reduced blood flow to tissue or organ due to circulatory obstruction blocked
artery, resp. impairment (chest pain) (Oxygen, nutrients, WBC/RBC)
Hypoxia: reduced oxygen in the tissue. Interferes with ATP production. Sodium pump
stops as well as other cell functions.
i. What is the difference between ischemia and hypoxia?
Ischemia reduced blood flow & hypoxia reduced oxygen
c. Physical injury: related to heat or mechanical pressures. Impair blood supply to cells or
metabolic processes.
(Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 20, & 21)
*Make sure that you understand all of the terms you are studying, if you don’t know what a term
means, look it up before you continue studying. Take your thinking a step further by asking
yourself “why” as you are reviewing material. This will lead to understanding of the material
versus memorization which will better help you answer questions. Remember, this study guide
does not mirror the exam and you are responsible for all course content; ensure that you have an
understanding of concepts. That being said, if you complete and understand this study guide, you
will be well prepared for the next exam.
*Ensure that you understand all highlighted terms in each chapter
* Answer the question and supplemental questions included with the original question
Chapter 1: Introduction to Pathophysiology
1. What are the 7 steps of health?
-Don’t smoke, avoid 2nd hand smoke
-Eat 5-10 servings of vegetables & Fruit daily. High fiber, lower-fat foods. Limit alcoholic drinks to
1 or 2 a day.
-Be active
-Protect yourself & family from the sun
-Follow cancer screening guidelines
-Visit doctor or dentist if any change in normal state of health
-Follow health & safety instructions at home and work when using, storing and disposing of
hazardous materials.
2. What is the definition of disease?
Deviation from normal state or homeostasis: structure or function of any part, organ, system (or
combination of these) or from a state of wellness.
3. Describe what homeostasis is: maintenance of stable internal environment of the body despite
external changes.
a. Which factors indicate how well the body is maintaining homeostasis? (3 listed)
-Blood pressure
-Body Temp
-Fluid Balance
4. Describe the following & list examples:
a. Primary Prevention: Prevention of disease or experiencing an injury in the first place
(doctors, vaccines)
Ex.) immunizations, screenings controlling potential hazards at home, education
i. When is this implemented? Before disease is present
b. Secondary Prevention: Baby aspirin-hypertension, frequent monitoring, modified work
, i. When is this implemented? After illness or risk factors have been diagnosed to
prevent complications. To slow progress of disease, limit long-term disability and
prevent re-injury.
c. Tertiary Prevention: Pain management, support groups, rehab
i. When is this implemented? Diagnosed after complication to prevent & preserve
quality of life. Helping people manage complicated, long term health problems
5. What are the 3 major health professional organizations who conduct research, publish findings,
track certain diseases and are responsible for signaling warning about predisposing conditions or
current treatments?
-United States Public Health Service
-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
-State & Local authorities
*Findings are gathered by World Health Organization (WHO)
6. Describe each characteristic of disease:
-Pathogenesis: development of the disease or events involved in tissue changes related to
specific disease process
-Onset: sudden and obvious or acute
-insidious: gradual progression with vague or mild signs
-acute: short-term illnesss developing quickly with marked signs (fever, severe pain)
-Chronic: milder condition developing gradually. Persisting for a long time (rheumatoid
arthritis)
-Subclinical state: pathologic changes occur, no obvious manifestations show by patient
-Latent stage: no clinical signs. Also referred to incubation period, time between exposure to
microorganism and onset of signs or symptoms. Disease may be communicable or contagious.
-Prodromal period: early development of disease when aware of a change in the body, but signs
aren’t specific. Ex.) fatigue, headache.
-Manifestations: clinical evidence or signs and symptoms. Ex.) redness, swelling. May also be
systemic=general indicators of illness like a fever
-Signs: objective or observed by someone other than affected individual. Ex.) fever, rash
-Symptoms: subjective feelings felt and said by patient. Ex.) pain, lethargy etc.
-Lesion: specific local change in a tissue . Ex.) blister or pimple
-Syndrome: collection of signs and symptoms, affecting more than one organ and occur together
due to certain condition
-Diagnostic Tests
-Remissions & exacerbations: course or progress of disease.
-Precipitating factor: condition that triggers an acute episode. Ex.) seizure in individual with a
seizure disorder.
Predisposed factor: at higher risk for disease because of life style habits/genetics. Ex.) coronary
artery disease b/c high cholesterol diet
Sequelae: potential unwanted outcomes of primary condition. Ex.) paralysis following a stroke
Convalescence or Rehab: period of recovery, returning to normal state
, 7. What is prophylaxis and why is it important? What are some examples of prophylactic measures
in health care? Measures designed to preserve health and prevent the incidence or spread of
disease. Provides information that benefit patients’ needs and allows them to make better
decisions about their health. Ex.) Treatment for myocardial infarction for high risk patient= 1
baby aspirin daily.
8. Describe the difference between acute and chronic disease:
Acute is the sudden onset of short term illness with marked signs such as fever, severe pain etc.
Chronic is more mild gradually developing that persists for a long time.
9. Describe the difference between morbidity and mortality:
Morbidity is the disease rates within a group such as stroke cause within a population. Mortality
is the number of deaths resulting from a particular disease.
10. Describe each term of cellular adaptation and list examples:
a. Atrophy: “shrink” decrease in size of cells=reduced tissue mass
i. Ex: limb in cast for several weeks
b. Hypertrophy: “grow in size” increase in size of cells=enlarged tissue mass
i. Ex: exercise on skeletal muscle or weight lifting
c. Hyperplasia: “grow in numbers” increased number of cells=enlarged tissue mass
i. Ex: Uterine enlargement during pregnancy
d. Metaplasia: “replace w/ diff. mature cell” mature cell type is replaced by diff mature cell
type.
i. Ex: In smokers lining of lungs (ciliated columnar epithelium) gets replaced with
more resistant tissue (stratified squamous epithelium). Decreases defense for
lungs.
e. Dysplasia: “dysfunctional” cells vary in size and shape w/in a tissue
i. Ex: Pap smear
f. Anaplasia: “undifferentiated cells” un.diff. cells with variable nuclear and cell structures
i. Ex: Characteristic of cancer, basis for grading aggressiveness of tumors
g. Neoplasia: “new growth” new growth of a tumor, these are differentiated cells
i. Ex: malignant or benign tumors
11. Describe each term related to cell damage and list examples:
a. Apoptosis: Programmed cell death
b. Ischemia/Hypoxia
Ischemia: reduced blood flow to tissue or organ due to circulatory obstruction blocked
artery, resp. impairment (chest pain) (Oxygen, nutrients, WBC/RBC)
Hypoxia: reduced oxygen in the tissue. Interferes with ATP production. Sodium pump
stops as well as other cell functions.
i. What is the difference between ischemia and hypoxia?
Ischemia reduced blood flow & hypoxia reduced oxygen
c. Physical injury: related to heat or mechanical pressures. Impair blood supply to cells or
metabolic processes.
