Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR283 Pathophysiology
Worksheet 1
NR283 Worksheet 1
Questions:
1. Define Pathophysiology.
The study of diseases; what is taking place (or what happens) when things go wrong; it builds on
anatomy.
2. Define Diagnosis, Cause, Predisposing factors, and Pathogenesis.
Diagnosis Refers to the identification of a specific disease through the evaluation of signs and
symptoms, laboratory tests (see inside cover and Ready Reference 5 in the Appendix).
Causes The causative factors of a disease. Some agents include congenital defects, inherited
or genetic disorders, microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria, immunologic dysfunction,
metabolic derangements, degenerative changes, malignancy, burns or other trauma,
environmental factors, and nutritional deficiencies.
o Idiopathic When the cause of a disease is unknown.
o Iatrogenic When a treatment, a procedure, or an error causes a disease.
Examples: A bladder infection following catheterization, or bone marrow damage
caused by a prescribed drug.
Predisposing factors A condition that triggers the onset or exacerbation of a disease.
Pathogenesis The early stages in the development of a disease or the sequence of events
involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process.
3. Define Acute Disease, Chronic Disease, Incubation Period, Prodromal Period, Manifestations,
Convalescence, Prognosis and Remission.
Acute Disease A short-term illness that develops very quickly with marked signs like a
high fever or sever pain.
o Example: Acute appendicitis
Chronic Disease A milder condition developing gradually, but persists for a long time
and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. It is marked by intermittent acute
episodes.
o Example: Rheumatoid arthritis
Incubation Period The time between the initial exposure to the infectious agent and the
appearance of the first signs of infection.
Prodromal Period The initial period in the development of a disease before acute
symptoms occur; when a person is aware of a change in their body, but the signs are
nonspecific; laboratory tests are negative during this period, thus making it difficult to
confirm a diagnosis.
o Example: Fatigue, loss of appetite, or headache.
Manifestations The clinical evidence or effects and the signs and symptoms of a disease.
o Example: Redness and swelling, which can be local or found at the site of the
problem.
NR 283: Worksheet 1 1/2017 TMH 1
, Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR283 Pathophysiology
Convalescence (Rehabilitation) The period of recovery and return to the normal healthy
state; it may last for several days or several months.
Prognosis The probable outcome of a disease.
Remission and Exacerbations May mark the course or progress of a disease. In
remission, the manifestations of the disease subside, whereas in exacerbations the signs
increase.
o Example: In Rheumatoid arthritis, there are typically periods when swelling and pain
are minimal, alternating with acute periods when swelling and pain are severe.
4. Describe atrophy. Provide an example.
Atrophy Refers to a decrease in the size of cells, resulting in a reduced tissue mass.
Examples: A decrease in the size of a leg after being in a cast for 6 weeks; the changes that occur
in the lower extremities of someone paralyzed below the waist; a pressure area under a poorly
fitting denture; the effect of decreased pituitary function on the adrenal gland.
5. Describe the cellular adaptation dysplasia. Provide an example.
Dysplasia The term applied to a tissue in which the cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei
are frequently present, and the rate of mitosis is increased.
o Is considered the most dangerous cellular adaptation because it may be a forerunner
for neoplasia.
Examples: The changes responsible for an abnormal Pap smear; the thyroid gland’s response to a
hypersecretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone.
6. Describe the cellular adaptation metaplasia. Provide an example.
Metaplasia Occurs when one mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type.
NR 283: Worksheet 1 1/2017 TMH 2
NR283 Pathophysiology
Worksheet 1
NR283 Worksheet 1
Questions:
1. Define Pathophysiology.
The study of diseases; what is taking place (or what happens) when things go wrong; it builds on
anatomy.
2. Define Diagnosis, Cause, Predisposing factors, and Pathogenesis.
Diagnosis Refers to the identification of a specific disease through the evaluation of signs and
symptoms, laboratory tests (see inside cover and Ready Reference 5 in the Appendix).
Causes The causative factors of a disease. Some agents include congenital defects, inherited
or genetic disorders, microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria, immunologic dysfunction,
metabolic derangements, degenerative changes, malignancy, burns or other trauma,
environmental factors, and nutritional deficiencies.
o Idiopathic When the cause of a disease is unknown.
o Iatrogenic When a treatment, a procedure, or an error causes a disease.
Examples: A bladder infection following catheterization, or bone marrow damage
caused by a prescribed drug.
Predisposing factors A condition that triggers the onset or exacerbation of a disease.
Pathogenesis The early stages in the development of a disease or the sequence of events
involved in the tissue changes related to the specific disease process.
3. Define Acute Disease, Chronic Disease, Incubation Period, Prodromal Period, Manifestations,
Convalescence, Prognosis and Remission.
Acute Disease A short-term illness that develops very quickly with marked signs like a
high fever or sever pain.
o Example: Acute appendicitis
Chronic Disease A milder condition developing gradually, but persists for a long time
and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. It is marked by intermittent acute
episodes.
o Example: Rheumatoid arthritis
Incubation Period The time between the initial exposure to the infectious agent and the
appearance of the first signs of infection.
Prodromal Period The initial period in the development of a disease before acute
symptoms occur; when a person is aware of a change in their body, but the signs are
nonspecific; laboratory tests are negative during this period, thus making it difficult to
confirm a diagnosis.
o Example: Fatigue, loss of appetite, or headache.
Manifestations The clinical evidence or effects and the signs and symptoms of a disease.
o Example: Redness and swelling, which can be local or found at the site of the
problem.
NR 283: Worksheet 1 1/2017 TMH 1
, Chamberlain College of Nursing
NR283 Pathophysiology
Convalescence (Rehabilitation) The period of recovery and return to the normal healthy
state; it may last for several days or several months.
Prognosis The probable outcome of a disease.
Remission and Exacerbations May mark the course or progress of a disease. In
remission, the manifestations of the disease subside, whereas in exacerbations the signs
increase.
o Example: In Rheumatoid arthritis, there are typically periods when swelling and pain
are minimal, alternating with acute periods when swelling and pain are severe.
4. Describe atrophy. Provide an example.
Atrophy Refers to a decrease in the size of cells, resulting in a reduced tissue mass.
Examples: A decrease in the size of a leg after being in a cast for 6 weeks; the changes that occur
in the lower extremities of someone paralyzed below the waist; a pressure area under a poorly
fitting denture; the effect of decreased pituitary function on the adrenal gland.
5. Describe the cellular adaptation dysplasia. Provide an example.
Dysplasia The term applied to a tissue in which the cells vary in size and shape, large nuclei
are frequently present, and the rate of mitosis is increased.
o Is considered the most dangerous cellular adaptation because it may be a forerunner
for neoplasia.
Examples: The changes responsible for an abnormal Pap smear; the thyroid gland’s response to a
hypersecretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone.
6. Describe the cellular adaptation metaplasia. Provide an example.
Metaplasia Occurs when one mature cell type is replaced by a different mature cell type.
NR 283: Worksheet 1 1/2017 TMH 2
