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Pathophysiology

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This study guide provides a clear overview of pathophysiology, focusing on how disease processes affect normal body function. It explains key concepts such as cellular injury, inflammation, immune response, and system-specific disorders (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, renal). The content emphasizes how understanding underlying mechanisms enhances clinical reasoning and nursing care. Ideal for nursing and healthcare students, this resource is perfect for exams, assignments, and understanding disease progression in real-world patient care.

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Pathophysiology


anastomoses - Connection between vessels; for example, the Circle of Willis is a(n) ____ of
certain cerebral arteries.



Angina pectoris - P - O2 deficit to heart, reversible, 3-5 min

S/S - chest pain, pallor, sweating, nausea

Risk - run, angry, resp infec, eat big meal



angioplasty - A surgical procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blocked coronary
artery. A narrow balloon is then inflated inside the artery, to widen the artery. Also called
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).



apoptosis - normal programmed cell death in tissues



ascites - build up of serous fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal
organ



asystole - A condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulses. = cardiac
arrest, standstill



atrophy - decrease in cell size, resulting in reduced tissue mass. Causes incl: reduced use of
tissue, insufficient nutrition, decreased neurologic or hormonal stimulation, aging



auscultation - listening to body sounds

,autodigestion - Activated enzymes begin to digest pancreas cells; severe pain result




2 stages of cell death - 1. Initial - cell damage causes alteration in metabolic reation.

2. Loss of function. May be recovered if damaging factor is removed quickly. Or may cause
morphologic changes.



abscesses - Localized collections of pus that may be under the skin or deep within the body and
that cause tissue destruction.



achalasia - failure of lower esophageal sphincter to relax due to lack of innervation (causes
dysphagia)



achlorhydria - Absence of hydrochloric acid from the gastric juice.



adhesions - Abnormal adherence of collagen fibers to surrounding structures during
immobilization, after trauma, or as a complication of surgery, which restricts normal elasticity
and gliding of structures involved



adrenergic - Related to SNS transmitters, norepinephrine & epinephrine



agglutination - An antibody-mediated immune response in which bacteria or viruses are
clumped together, effectively neutralized, and opsonized.



anaplasia - cells that are undifferentiated with variable nuclear and cell structures and
numerous mitotic figures. Characteristic of cancer, basis for grading aggressiveness of tumor.

, anastomoses - Connection between vessels; for example, the Circle of Willis is a(n) ____ of
certain cerebral arteries.



Angina pectoris - P - O2 deficit to heart, reversible, 3-5 min

S/S - chest pain, pallor, sweating, nausea

Risk - run, angry, resp infec, eat big meal



angioplasty - A surgical procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blocked coronary
artery. A narrow balloon is then inflated inside the artery, to widen the artery. Also called
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).



apoptosis - normal programmed cell death in tissues



ascites - build up of serous fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal
organ



asystole - A condition in which the heart has ceased generating electrical impulses. = cardiac
arrest, standstill



atrophy - decrease in cell size, resulting in reduced tissue mass. Causes incl: reduced use of
tissue, insufficient nutrition, decreased neurologic or hormonal stimulation, aging



auscultation - listening to body sounds



autodigestion - Activated enzymes begin to digest pancreas cells; severe pain result

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