Patho Terminology
This term describes the cause or origin of a disease.
Etiology
A patient tells the nurse I am in pain
Subjective
A patient's leg has been immobilized in a cast for six weeks. When the cast is removed, the affected leg is noticeably smaller because the muscle cells have decreased in size.
atrophy
This term describes the body's ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes.
Homeostasis
Prolonged stress can suppress this body system, increasing susceptibility to infection.
immune system
This term refers to the signs and symptoms associated with a disease.
Manifestations
The nurse obtains a blood pressure of 168/94 mm Hg. This is classified as this type of data.
Objective
A patient with long-standing hypertension develops an enlarged left ventricle because cardiac muscle cells increase in size to compensate for the increased workload
hypertrophy
Sweating when body temperature rises is an example of this type of regulatory mechanism that opposes the original change.
Negative feedback
Chronic activation of the stress response may contribute to persistently elevated blood pressure, known as this condition.
hypertension
A patient has hypertension but reports no symptoms. This term describes a disease that is present without noticeable clinical manifestations.
asymptomatic
A patient states, “I feel short of breath,” while the nurse measures an oxygen saturation of 86%. The oxygen saturation represents this type of data.
Objective
During pregnancy, hormonal stimulation causes an increase in the number of breast glandular cells in preparation for lactation.
hyperplasia
During labor, uterine contractions stimulate oxytocin release, which causes stronger contractions and additional oxytocin release.
positive feedback
Excessive cortisol during chronic stress can increase blood glucose and contribute to this metabolic abnormality.
hyperglycemia
This term describes the expected course, progression, and probable outcome of a disease.
Prognosis
A patient reports dizziness, nausea, and weakness. The nurse observes diaphoresis and measures a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL. Name the three subjective findings.
dizziness, nausea, and weakness
A long-term smoker develops replacement of normal respiratory columnar epithelial cells with squamous cells that are better able to tolerate chronic irritation.
metaplasia
Acts like a thermostat for temperature of the body
hypothalamus
A critically ill patient experiencing prolonged physiologic stress develops muscle wasting and negative nitrogen balance. These findings primarily result from increased breakdown of this nutrient.
Protein
This describes the sequence of cellular and physiologic events that occur from the initial cause of a disease to its clinical manifestations.
pathogenesis
A patient states, “My heart feels like it is racing.” The monitor shows a heart rate of 148/min. Identify the subjective and objective findings.
palpitations/racing-heart sensation = subjective and HR 148/min = objective
A patient with chronic GERD develops replacement of the normal squamous epithelium of the lower esophagus with columnar-type cells. Years later, a biopsy demonstrates increasingly abnormal cellular size and organization. Identify the two cellular changes in sequence.
metaplasia → dysplasia
Respond to restore balance (swear glands cool the body, lungs adjust breathing)
effectors
Chronic stress produces persistent cortisol and catecholamine exposure. Name three potential complications associated with prolonged activation of the stress response.
Hypertension/cardiovascular disease, impaired immune function, hyperglycemia/metabolic dysfunction, impaired healing, GI dysfunction, and/or mood/sleep disturbances