Respiratory Pathophysiology
The core differentiation between chronic bronchitis and emphysema is that chronic bronchitis is defined by the hypertrophy of these mucosal structures, leading to a chronic productive cough.
What are mucosal glands (or mucous glands)?
The premalignant change in the esophageal lining where squamous mucosa is replaced by abnormal columnar epithelium due to chronic GERD
What is Barrett Esophagus?
The most common symptom associated with Cholestasis (blockage of bile flow), caused by the accumulation of bile acids in the blood and skin.
What is Pruritus (or Itching)
The primary action of Insulin on glucose metabolism is promoting its uptake by cells and its storage in the liver and muscles in this specific polysaccharide form.
What is Glycogen?
The term for the accumulation of nitrogenous wastes (BUN, creatinine, uric acid) in the blood, often preceding the symptomatic stage of uremia.
What is Azotemia?
A patient with severe pulmonary embolism may develop this specific type of heart failure due to the obstruction of pulmonary blood flow, causing increased pressure on the right side of the heart.
What is Cor Pulmonale (or Right-Sided Heart Failure)?
This key characteristic is exclusive to Crohn Disease and distinguishes it from Ulcerative Colitis by describing its full-thickness inflammation and patchy involvement.
What are Skip Lesions?
This condition is the result of chronic, end-stage liver disease where functional liver tissue is replaced by fibrous, constrictive nodules that disrupt blood and biliary flow.
What is Cirrhosis?
A patient presents with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and dark pigmentation of the skin. These are classic signs of Addison Disease, which is caused by a deficiency of this specific adrenal hormone.
What is Aldosterone (or Mineralocorticoids)?
This specific type of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a high BUN-to-Creatinine ratio (15:1 or 20:1) due to a significant decrease in renal blood flow (perfusion)
What is Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury?
This key feature of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) means that severe hypoxemia is persistent and fails to improve despite increasing the inspired oxygen concentration
What is Refractory Hypoxemia?
A patient with Celiac Disease who has eliminated gluten still presents with steatorrhea and weight loss. This symptom of excessive fat in the stool is the result of a failure in this specific GI process.
What is Malabsorption?
Portal Hypertension leads to the development of Ascites through two primary mechanisms: increased capillary pressure in the portal system and this effect caused by impaired liver synthesis of a key plasma protein.
What is Decreased Plasma Oncotic Pressure (due to Hypoalbuminemia)?
This life-threatening crisis in Hyperthyroidism is characterized by a high fever, severe tachycardia, and profound CNS symptoms like delirium, due to a massive surge of thyroid hormone.
What is Thyroid Crisis (or Thyroid Storm)?
The most dangerous electrolyte imbalance in the Oliguric Phase of AKI, due to the kidneys' inability to excrete it, which can rapidly lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
What is Hyperkalemia?
A nurse is evaluating a tuberculin skin test (TST). The characteristic formation of granulomas in a contained, non-symptomatic infection is an example of which hypersensitivity reaction? Select all that apply. 1. Type I 2. Type II 3. Type III 4. Type IV 5. Immediate
What is 4. Type IV (or Cell-Mediated)?
A nurse is reviewing risk factors for Colon Cancer. Which of the following risk factors are directly associated with the progression from benign lesions to invasive carcinoma? Select all that apply. 1. Diverticulosis 2. Family history 3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 4. Adenomatous polyps 5. High-fiber diet
What are 2. Family history, 3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and 4. Adenomatous polyps?
This enzyme is inappropriately activated within the pancreas during acute pancreatitis, leading to the initiation of autodigestion and subsequent systemic inflammation.
What is Trypsin?
Which of the following hormones acts as a Counter-regulatory Hormone to insulin, promoting an increase in blood glucose levels during periods of fasting or stress? Select all that apply. 1. Glucocorticoids 2. Catecholamines (Epinephrine) 3. Growth Hormone 4. Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) 5. TSH
What are 1. Glucocorticoids, 2. Catecholamines (Epinephrine), and 3. Growth Hormone?
Which of the following markers are used to diagnose and stage Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Select all that apply. 1. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) 2. Presence of Albuminuria 3. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) 4. Urine specific gravity 5. Serum Creatinine
What are 1. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and 2. Presence of Albuminuria?
The patient with a Tension Pneumothorax exhibits a mediastinal shift, causing a decrease in venous return to the heart. The nurse would expect to see Jugular Vein Distension (JVD) and this life-threatening circulatory symptom.
What is Obstructive Shock (or Hypotension/Tachycardia)?
A life-threatening complication of infectious enterocolitis, such as C. Diff, that results from a severe inflammation of the colon causing toxic systemic effects and potential perforation.
What is Toxic Megacolon?
Which of the following statements regarding Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are true? Select all that apply. 1. Both are primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route. 2. Both carry a high risk of developing into a chronic carrier state. 3. There is a prophylactic vaccine available for HBV but not HCV. 4. HCV infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation in the US. 5. Both viruses lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
What are 2. Both carry a high risk of developing into a chronic carrier state, 3. There is a prophylactic vaccine available for HBV but not HCV, and 4. HCV infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation in the US
The core difference in the pathogenesis between DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis) and HHS (Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State) is that DKA involves the excessive production of this acidic byproduct from fat breakdown (lipolysis).
What are Ketones (or Ketoacids)?
The finding of dirty brown granular casts or Red Blood Cell Casts in the urine sediment of a patient with AKI is the definitive finding that classifies the cause as this specific category of renal injury.
What is Intrarenal Acute Kidney Injury (or Acute Tubular Necrosis/Injury)?