lOMoAR cPSD| 47061011
NR283 Pathophysiology
Questions with 100% Verified
Answers Complete
Unit 1 – Chapter 1 Outline
Intro to Pathophysiology
1. What is the definition of pathophysiology?
The study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from disease processes which
builds on knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body.
2. How is homeostasis maintained?
Homeostasis cannot be maintained without intervention. Under normal conditions homeostasis is
maintained within the body with regard to such factors as blood pressure, body temperature, and fluid
balance.
3. Define the following disease process terms:
• Diagnosis: Diagnosis refers to the identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs
and symptoms, laboratory tests or other tools. More than one factor is usually required to verify
a diagnosis. For example, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus could be confirmed by a blood test
following consideration of the patient's signs and a fractured leg bone is indicated by pain,
swelling, perhaps the position of the leg, but it is confirmed by x-ray.
• Etiology: concerns the causative factors in a particular disease. There may be one or several
causative factors. Etiologic agents include congenital defects, inherited or genetic disorders,
microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria, immunologic dysfunction, metabolic derangements,
degenerative changes, malignancy, burns and other trauma, environmental factors, and
nutritional deficiencies.
• Idiopathic: relating to or denoting any disease or condition that arises spontaneously or for
which the cause is unknown.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47061011
• Predisposing factors: encompass the tendencies that promote development of a disease in an
individual. A predisposing factor indicates a high risk for the disease but not certain
development. Predisposing or high-risk factors may include age, gender, inherited factors,
occupational exposure, or certain dietary practices. For example, insufficient calcium intake
predisposes to osteoporosis.
• Prophylaxis: Prophylaxis measures designed to preserve health (as of an individual or society)
and prevent the spread of disease. Prophylactic treatment for myocardial infarction for high-risk
patients is a baby aspirin daily.
• Pathogenesis: refers to the development of the disease or the sequence of events involved in
the tissue changes related to the specific disease process.
• Onset: The onset of a disease may be sudden and obvious or acute; for example, gastroenteritis
with vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea; or the onset may be insidious, best described as a gradual
progression with only vague or very mild signs. Hepatitis may manifest quietly in this way. There
may be several stages in the development of a single disease..
• Acute: An acute disease indicates a short-term illness that develops very quickly with marked
signs such as high fever or severe pain; for example, acute appendicitis.
• Chronic: A chronic disease is often a milder condition developing gradually, such as rheumatoid
arthritis, but it persists for a long time and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. Often
a chronic disease is marked by intermittent acute episodes.
• Latent: An initial latent or “silent” stage, in which no clinical signs are evident, characterizes
some diseases. In infectious diseases this stage may be referred to as the incubation period,
which is the time between exposure to the microorganism and the onset of signs or symptoms;
it may last for a day or so or may be prolonged, perhaps for days or weeks. Often the disease
agent may be communicable during this incubation period.
• Manifestations: The manifestations of a disease are the clinical evidence or effects, the signs and
symptoms, of disease. These manifestations, such as redness and swelling, may be local, or
found at the site of the problem. Or signs and symptoms may be systemic, meaning they are
general indicators of illness, such as fever.
NR283 Pathophysiology
Questions with 100% Verified
Answers Complete
Unit 1 – Chapter 1 Outline
Intro to Pathophysiology
1. What is the definition of pathophysiology?
The study of functional or physiologic changes in the body that result from disease processes which
builds on knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body.
2. How is homeostasis maintained?
Homeostasis cannot be maintained without intervention. Under normal conditions homeostasis is
maintained within the body with regard to such factors as blood pressure, body temperature, and fluid
balance.
3. Define the following disease process terms:
• Diagnosis: Diagnosis refers to the identification of a specific disease through evaluation of signs
and symptoms, laboratory tests or other tools. More than one factor is usually required to verify
a diagnosis. For example, a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus could be confirmed by a blood test
following consideration of the patient's signs and a fractured leg bone is indicated by pain,
swelling, perhaps the position of the leg, but it is confirmed by x-ray.
• Etiology: concerns the causative factors in a particular disease. There may be one or several
causative factors. Etiologic agents include congenital defects, inherited or genetic disorders,
microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria, immunologic dysfunction, metabolic derangements,
degenerative changes, malignancy, burns and other trauma, environmental factors, and
nutritional deficiencies.
• Idiopathic: relating to or denoting any disease or condition that arises spontaneously or for
which the cause is unknown.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 47061011
• Predisposing factors: encompass the tendencies that promote development of a disease in an
individual. A predisposing factor indicates a high risk for the disease but not certain
development. Predisposing or high-risk factors may include age, gender, inherited factors,
occupational exposure, or certain dietary practices. For example, insufficient calcium intake
predisposes to osteoporosis.
• Prophylaxis: Prophylaxis measures designed to preserve health (as of an individual or society)
and prevent the spread of disease. Prophylactic treatment for myocardial infarction for high-risk
patients is a baby aspirin daily.
• Pathogenesis: refers to the development of the disease or the sequence of events involved in
the tissue changes related to the specific disease process.
• Onset: The onset of a disease may be sudden and obvious or acute; for example, gastroenteritis
with vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea; or the onset may be insidious, best described as a gradual
progression with only vague or very mild signs. Hepatitis may manifest quietly in this way. There
may be several stages in the development of a single disease..
• Acute: An acute disease indicates a short-term illness that develops very quickly with marked
signs such as high fever or severe pain; for example, acute appendicitis.
• Chronic: A chronic disease is often a milder condition developing gradually, such as rheumatoid
arthritis, but it persists for a long time and usually causes more permanent tissue damage. Often
a chronic disease is marked by intermittent acute episodes.
• Latent: An initial latent or “silent” stage, in which no clinical signs are evident, characterizes
some diseases. In infectious diseases this stage may be referred to as the incubation period,
which is the time between exposure to the microorganism and the onset of signs or symptoms;
it may last for a day or so or may be prolonged, perhaps for days or weeks. Often the disease
agent may be communicable during this incubation period.
• Manifestations: The manifestations of a disease are the clinical evidence or effects, the signs and
symptoms, of disease. These manifestations, such as redness and swelling, may be local, or
found at the site of the problem. Or signs and symptoms may be systemic, meaning they are
general indicators of illness, such as fever.
