D027 Pathophysiology Key Points On Various Diseases | Questions And Answers, Latest Update | 100%
Correct Answers | Graded 1
D027 Pathophysiology Lecture Notes
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cognitive health is the main thing impacted
Cognition-think, learn, remember (optimal functioning to severe disability)
Natural aging- slowing of speed of processing, less ability to make decision, difficulty remembering
Mild cognitive impairment-difficulty with cognitive processes, not enough to interfere with daily life//may be
early sign of dementia
Cognitive impairment- difficulty with cognitive processes that affect everyday life (not limited to Alzheimer’s)
Dementia-decline in mental ability that affects ability to function/not related to normal aging
Caused by disease process, injury, etc. (there are SEVERAL types of dementia)
Vascular dementia- 2nd most common dementia
Caused by reduced blood flow in brain (maybe caused by stroke)
Alzheimer’s disease-most common dementia/progresses over time
Nerve cell and tissue loss – PLAQUES and TANGLES are key signs in Alzheimer’s autopsy
Primary caused by age and genetics (early onset Alzheimer’s happens in people who are younger than
65)
Stages of Alzheimer’s – average lifespan from diagnosis is usually 4-8 years
Early- person able to function independently, more forgetful, may still live at home
Moderate- may need more help with ADL’s (nursing home patients), more forgetful, wandering
Late- full time care required, physical ability changes, may be total care, severe cognitive deficits
Main goal is to maintain quality of life and promote safe environment
Cognitive enhancers for Alzheimer’s-
Start with cholinesterase inhibitors: donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine (prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for learning and memory)
Next N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist: memantine (regulates glutamate, which is responsible for
processing, storing, and retrieving information-improves cognitive abilities and abilities to perform ADLs)
Severe treatment involves combination drugs: donepezil + memantine
, 2
Asthma
Condition that causes airways to narrow, swell, and/or produce extra mucus
Condition can make breathing difficult, cause coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath
Symptoms:
Dry cough, night cough, dyspnea, wheezing, mouth breathing, shortness of breath
May happen during the night, after exercise, or when being exposed to a trigger
Patient may complain of:
Chest pressure, anxiety, tachycardia, throat irritation
Diagnostic methods:
Medical history of symptoms, listening to breath sounds, and a lung function test with spirometry (spirometry
tests can indicate if there are constrictions/blockages in the airways)
Medications:
Bronchodilators, steroids, anti-inflammatories
Long-acting medications:
Flovent, Pulmicort
Quick relief medications:
Albuterol, levalbuterol (cholinergic antagonists)
Nonmedical interventions to avoid asthma attacks:
Avoid triggers (dust, pollen, grass)
Avoid allergens, smoke, mold, and pests
Ataxia
Degenerative disease of nervous system
Symptoms: may seem like person is drunk - slurred speech, stumbling, falling, coordination issues, slow eye
movements
Cerebellum damage causes this to happen because the cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement
(cerebellum attacks)
Can also be caused by damage along the spinal cord or other nerves
Acute- caused by disease or medications, treat diseases or stop causing medications
Chronic-genetic factor, may not be treatable
Treatment- treatment depends on the cause (if medications cause the condition, stop taking medications/if viral
illness causes condition, it should resolve as the virus resolves)
, 3
Beta Thalassemia
Inherited disorder affecting hemoglobin-reduced or absent hemoglobin in red blood cells, causing moderate to
severe anemia
Caused by change in the gene for beta globin component of hemoglobin
Most common in people with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African, Chinese, and South Asian descent
Symptoms:
Chronic fatigue, low blood pressure, pale, cold, muscle weakness, enlarged spleen, tachycardia
Severe anemia can begin any time after birth
Effects:
Can cause a delay in growth and development, can lead to child death related to heart failure
Treatment:
Regular blood transfusions to increase oxygen carrying capacity, allowing for more normal growth and
development
Erythropoietin (Epogen) medication can target the production of red blood cells
Celiac Disease
Autoimmune disease damages small intestinal epithelium when gluten is ingested
This loss of mucosal surface area causes major malabsorption
Is a multi-organ disease with a strong genetic predisposition
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain, diarrhea (greasy, bulky, foul smelling), malnutrition from malabsorption (rickets,
anemia), hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia
Diagnostic methods:
Lab work may reveal abnormalities in IGA antibodies, HLA-DQ2, or HLA-DQ8
A duodenal biopsy can reveal abnormalities
Treatment:
Lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (wheat, rye, barley, malt), along with steroids or
immunosuppressants (immunosuppressants keep the body from attacking its own intestinal lining since this is
an autoimmune disease) if required
Chickenpox
Highly contagious disease caused by varicella-zoster virus
Appears as a skin rash with small, itchy blisters that scab over - starts on chest, back, and face
Symptoms may also include low grade fever, skin manifestations, abdominal pain (sometimes)
Diagnosed by – rash (starting on torso), can be confirmed with blood tests/culture of lesions if diagnosis is
questionable
Antivirals such as acyclovir or immunoglobulin via IV lessen severity when given within 24 hours of rash onset
Non-pharmacological interventions: calamine lotion, oat bath to relieve itching
Correct Answers | Graded 1
D027 Pathophysiology Lecture Notes
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cognitive health is the main thing impacted
Cognition-think, learn, remember (optimal functioning to severe disability)
Natural aging- slowing of speed of processing, less ability to make decision, difficulty remembering
Mild cognitive impairment-difficulty with cognitive processes, not enough to interfere with daily life//may be
early sign of dementia
Cognitive impairment- difficulty with cognitive processes that affect everyday life (not limited to Alzheimer’s)
Dementia-decline in mental ability that affects ability to function/not related to normal aging
Caused by disease process, injury, etc. (there are SEVERAL types of dementia)
Vascular dementia- 2nd most common dementia
Caused by reduced blood flow in brain (maybe caused by stroke)
Alzheimer’s disease-most common dementia/progresses over time
Nerve cell and tissue loss – PLAQUES and TANGLES are key signs in Alzheimer’s autopsy
Primary caused by age and genetics (early onset Alzheimer’s happens in people who are younger than
65)
Stages of Alzheimer’s – average lifespan from diagnosis is usually 4-8 years
Early- person able to function independently, more forgetful, may still live at home
Moderate- may need more help with ADL’s (nursing home patients), more forgetful, wandering
Late- full time care required, physical ability changes, may be total care, severe cognitive deficits
Main goal is to maintain quality of life and promote safe environment
Cognitive enhancers for Alzheimer’s-
Start with cholinesterase inhibitors: donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine (prevent the breakdown of
acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for learning and memory)
Next N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist: memantine (regulates glutamate, which is responsible for
processing, storing, and retrieving information-improves cognitive abilities and abilities to perform ADLs)
Severe treatment involves combination drugs: donepezil + memantine
, 2
Asthma
Condition that causes airways to narrow, swell, and/or produce extra mucus
Condition can make breathing difficult, cause coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath
Symptoms:
Dry cough, night cough, dyspnea, wheezing, mouth breathing, shortness of breath
May happen during the night, after exercise, or when being exposed to a trigger
Patient may complain of:
Chest pressure, anxiety, tachycardia, throat irritation
Diagnostic methods:
Medical history of symptoms, listening to breath sounds, and a lung function test with spirometry (spirometry
tests can indicate if there are constrictions/blockages in the airways)
Medications:
Bronchodilators, steroids, anti-inflammatories
Long-acting medications:
Flovent, Pulmicort
Quick relief medications:
Albuterol, levalbuterol (cholinergic antagonists)
Nonmedical interventions to avoid asthma attacks:
Avoid triggers (dust, pollen, grass)
Avoid allergens, smoke, mold, and pests
Ataxia
Degenerative disease of nervous system
Symptoms: may seem like person is drunk - slurred speech, stumbling, falling, coordination issues, slow eye
movements
Cerebellum damage causes this to happen because the cerebellum is responsible for coordinating movement
(cerebellum attacks)
Can also be caused by damage along the spinal cord or other nerves
Acute- caused by disease or medications, treat diseases or stop causing medications
Chronic-genetic factor, may not be treatable
Treatment- treatment depends on the cause (if medications cause the condition, stop taking medications/if viral
illness causes condition, it should resolve as the virus resolves)
, 3
Beta Thalassemia
Inherited disorder affecting hemoglobin-reduced or absent hemoglobin in red blood cells, causing moderate to
severe anemia
Caused by change in the gene for beta globin component of hemoglobin
Most common in people with Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, African, Chinese, and South Asian descent
Symptoms:
Chronic fatigue, low blood pressure, pale, cold, muscle weakness, enlarged spleen, tachycardia
Severe anemia can begin any time after birth
Effects:
Can cause a delay in growth and development, can lead to child death related to heart failure
Treatment:
Regular blood transfusions to increase oxygen carrying capacity, allowing for more normal growth and
development
Erythropoietin (Epogen) medication can target the production of red blood cells
Celiac Disease
Autoimmune disease damages small intestinal epithelium when gluten is ingested
This loss of mucosal surface area causes major malabsorption
Is a multi-organ disease with a strong genetic predisposition
Symptoms:
Abdominal pain, diarrhea (greasy, bulky, foul smelling), malnutrition from malabsorption (rickets,
anemia), hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia
Diagnostic methods:
Lab work may reveal abnormalities in IGA antibodies, HLA-DQ2, or HLA-DQ8
A duodenal biopsy can reveal abnormalities
Treatment:
Lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (wheat, rye, barley, malt), along with steroids or
immunosuppressants (immunosuppressants keep the body from attacking its own intestinal lining since this is
an autoimmune disease) if required
Chickenpox
Highly contagious disease caused by varicella-zoster virus
Appears as a skin rash with small, itchy blisters that scab over - starts on chest, back, and face
Symptoms may also include low grade fever, skin manifestations, abdominal pain (sometimes)
Diagnosed by – rash (starting on torso), can be confirmed with blood tests/culture of lesions if diagnosis is
questionable
Antivirals such as acyclovir or immunoglobulin via IV lessen severity when given within 24 hours of rash onset
Non-pharmacological interventions: calamine lotion, oat bath to relieve itching
