NSG 530 / NSG 530
EXAM 4 STUDY GUIDE
Advanced Pathophysiology - Wilkes
THIS GUIDE CONTAINS:
NSG 530 Exam 4 Study Guide
key Terms and Definitions
Review Course
Expert-Verified
### Anemias
,1. **Iron Deficiency Anemia**: This anemia arises from insufficient iron, leading to a
decrease in hemoglobin production. Symptoms include fatigue, pallor, and shortness of
breath due to reduced oxygen transport capacity in the blood. Diagnosis often involves low
serum ferritin and low serum iron levels.
2. **Pernicious Anemia**: A form of macrocytic anemia caused by the lack of intrinsic
factor, which is essential for vitamin B12 absorption. Patients may present with neurological
symptoms due to the role of B12 in myelin synthesis. Laboratory findings typically show
enlarged red blood cells and low vitamin B12 levels.
3. **Anemia of Chronic Disease**: Characterized by microcytic red blood cells, this type
occurs in various chronic conditions such as infections or malignancies. It is associated with
low serum iron levels but normal or elevated ferritin, indicating iron sequestration due to
inflammation.
4. **Thalassemia**: This inherited condition features defective hemoglobin synthesis,
leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and hemolysis. Patients typically present with
microcytic anemia. Treatment may include transfusions or chelation therapy for iron
overload.
5. **Hemolytic Anemia**: This anemia results from the premature destruction of red blood
cells, often due to autoimmune processes. Symptoms include jaundice, dark urine, and
splenomegaly. Laboratory tests reveal elevated reticulocyte counts and bilirubin.
6. **Sickle Cell Anemia**: A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to adopt a sickle
shape under low oxygen conditions. This results in vaso-occlusive crises leading to severe
pain and organ damage. Management focuses on pain control, hydration, and hydroxyurea
therapy.
### Endocrine Disorders
,7. **Hyperthyroidism**: Characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones (T3 and
T4), this disorder can cause symptoms like weight loss, increased appetite, and heat
intolerance. Grave’s disease is a common cause and is marked by the presence of Thyroid-
Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSIs).
8. **Hypothyroidism**: This condition results from insufficient thyroid hormone
production, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common autoimmune cause where antibodies attack thyroid
tissue.
9. **Addison's Disease**: This adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not
produce adequate amounts of cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms often include fatigue,
weight loss, and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Diagnosis includes low cortisol levels and
elevated ACTH.
10. **Cushing's Disease**: Results from excessive cortisol levels usually due to a pituitary
adenoma secreting ACTH. Symptoms include hypertension, weight gain, and changes in fat
distribution. Diagnosed through suppression tests and imaging studies.
### Musculoskeletal Disorders
11. **Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)**: A chronic systemic inflammatory disorder primarily
affecting joints. RA leads to synovitis, which can result in joint damage and deformities.
Diagnosis is confirmed by clinical presentation and laboratory tests for rheumatoid factor
and anti-CCP antibodies.
12. **Osteoporosis**: This condition involves a decrease in bone density, making bones
fragile and susceptible to fractures. Risk factors include age, gender, and hormonal changes.
DEXA scans are used for diagnosis, and treatment includes bisphosphonates and lifestyle
modifications.
, 13. **Muscular Dystrophy**: This group of hereditary conditions is characterized by
progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most
common type, results from mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to the absence of the
dystrophin protein.
### Neurological Conditions
14. **Alzheimer's Disease**: A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes due to the accumulation of amyloid
plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
15. **Parkinson's Disease**: This neurodegenerative disorder affects motor function due to
the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Symptoms commonly include
tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, significantly impacting daily living activities.
16. **Epilepsy**: A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked
seizures. The types of seizures can vary widely, including focal seizures and generalized
tonic-clonic seizures, which necessitate different management strategies.
### Cancer and Hematological Disorders
17. **Leukemia**: This blood cancer is characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal
white blood cells. It can significantly disrupt normal hematopoiesis, leading to anemia,
increased infection risk, and bleeding disorders. Classification includes acute vs. chronic and
lymphocytic vs. myeloid forms.
18. **Multiple Myeloma**: A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow distinguished by
the production of abnormal immunoglobulins (M proteins). Symptoms include bone pain,
renal dysfunction, and anemia. Diagnosis involves blood tests and bone marrow biopsy.
EXAM 4 STUDY GUIDE
Advanced Pathophysiology - Wilkes
THIS GUIDE CONTAINS:
NSG 530 Exam 4 Study Guide
key Terms and Definitions
Review Course
Expert-Verified
### Anemias
,1. **Iron Deficiency Anemia**: This anemia arises from insufficient iron, leading to a
decrease in hemoglobin production. Symptoms include fatigue, pallor, and shortness of
breath due to reduced oxygen transport capacity in the blood. Diagnosis often involves low
serum ferritin and low serum iron levels.
2. **Pernicious Anemia**: A form of macrocytic anemia caused by the lack of intrinsic
factor, which is essential for vitamin B12 absorption. Patients may present with neurological
symptoms due to the role of B12 in myelin synthesis. Laboratory findings typically show
enlarged red blood cells and low vitamin B12 levels.
3. **Anemia of Chronic Disease**: Characterized by microcytic red blood cells, this type
occurs in various chronic conditions such as infections or malignancies. It is associated with
low serum iron levels but normal or elevated ferritin, indicating iron sequestration due to
inflammation.
4. **Thalassemia**: This inherited condition features defective hemoglobin synthesis,
leading to ineffective erythropoiesis and hemolysis. Patients typically present with
microcytic anemia. Treatment may include transfusions or chelation therapy for iron
overload.
5. **Hemolytic Anemia**: This anemia results from the premature destruction of red blood
cells, often due to autoimmune processes. Symptoms include jaundice, dark urine, and
splenomegaly. Laboratory tests reveal elevated reticulocyte counts and bilirubin.
6. **Sickle Cell Anemia**: A genetic disorder that causes red blood cells to adopt a sickle
shape under low oxygen conditions. This results in vaso-occlusive crises leading to severe
pain and organ damage. Management focuses on pain control, hydration, and hydroxyurea
therapy.
### Endocrine Disorders
,7. **Hyperthyroidism**: Characterized by excessive secretion of thyroid hormones (T3 and
T4), this disorder can cause symptoms like weight loss, increased appetite, and heat
intolerance. Grave’s disease is a common cause and is marked by the presence of Thyroid-
Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSIs).
8. **Hypothyroidism**: This condition results from insufficient thyroid hormone
production, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common autoimmune cause where antibodies attack thyroid
tissue.
9. **Addison's Disease**: This adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not
produce adequate amounts of cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms often include fatigue,
weight loss, and hyperpigmentation of the skin. Diagnosis includes low cortisol levels and
elevated ACTH.
10. **Cushing's Disease**: Results from excessive cortisol levels usually due to a pituitary
adenoma secreting ACTH. Symptoms include hypertension, weight gain, and changes in fat
distribution. Diagnosed through suppression tests and imaging studies.
### Musculoskeletal Disorders
11. **Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)**: A chronic systemic inflammatory disorder primarily
affecting joints. RA leads to synovitis, which can result in joint damage and deformities.
Diagnosis is confirmed by clinical presentation and laboratory tests for rheumatoid factor
and anti-CCP antibodies.
12. **Osteoporosis**: This condition involves a decrease in bone density, making bones
fragile and susceptible to fractures. Risk factors include age, gender, and hormonal changes.
DEXA scans are used for diagnosis, and treatment includes bisphosphonates and lifestyle
modifications.
, 13. **Muscular Dystrophy**: This group of hereditary conditions is characterized by
progressive skeletal muscle degeneration. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most
common type, results from mutations in the dystrophin gene, leading to the absence of the
dystrophin protein.
### Neurological Conditions
14. **Alzheimer's Disease**: A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by
memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes due to the accumulation of amyloid
plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
15. **Parkinson's Disease**: This neurodegenerative disorder affects motor function due to
the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Symptoms commonly include
tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia, significantly impacting daily living activities.
16. **Epilepsy**: A chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked
seizures. The types of seizures can vary widely, including focal seizures and generalized
tonic-clonic seizures, which necessitate different management strategies.
### Cancer and Hematological Disorders
17. **Leukemia**: This blood cancer is characterized by the rapid proliferation of abnormal
white blood cells. It can significantly disrupt normal hematopoiesis, leading to anemia,
increased infection risk, and bleeding disorders. Classification includes acute vs. chronic and
lymphocytic vs. myeloid forms.
18. **Multiple Myeloma**: A cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow distinguished by
the production of abnormal immunoglobulins (M proteins). Symptoms include bone pain,
renal dysfunction, and anemia. Diagnosis involves blood tests and bone marrow biopsy.
