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
(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
