Etiology: Is the cause of the Disease
-Identifies causal factors that, acting in concert, provoke a particular
disease or injury
Idiopathic: The Cause is unknown
Iatrogenic: Causes results from unintended or unwanted medical treatment
Risk Factor: A factor that, when present, increases the likelihood of disease
Pathogenesis: Development or evolution of disease, from initial stimulus to
ultimate expression of manifestations of the disease
Latent Period: Time between exposure of tissue to injurious agent and first
appearance of signs and or symptoms
- A period during an illness when signs/symptoms temporarily become
mild or silent or disappear
Prodromal Period: Time during which the first signs and or symptoms
appear indicating the onset of disease
Subclinical Stage: A patient functions normally; disease processes are well
established
Acute Phase: Disease/illness reaches its full intensity
- Acute clinical course: Short-lived; may have severe manifestations
Chronic Clinical course: May last months to years, sometimes following an
acute course
Five Stages of Infection:
- Incubation
- Prodromal
, - Illness
- Decline
- Convalescence
Remission: Decrease in severity, signs or symptoms, may indicate that the
disease is cured
Sequela: Subsequent pathologic condition resulting from an illness
Exacerbation: A sudden increase in severity of disease or signs or
symptoms
Convalescence: stage of recovery after a disease, injury, or surgical
procedure
Levels of Prevention:
- Primary Prevention: An intervention implemented before there is
evidence of a disease or injury
- Example: Prevention, Vaccination, Educating the general population
on a healthy diet, reducing or eliminating risk factors
- Secondary Prevention: An intervention implemented after a disease
has begun, but before it is symptomatic
- Example: Early identification, like high blood pressure, educate and
treat for high BP
- Tertiary Prevention: An intervention implemented after a disease or
injury is established
- Example: Counseling on medication, monitoring and treating the
patient
Chapter 2
Homeostasis: A state in which all systems are in balance, an ideal “set
point” despite alterations within the body, remaining stable while staying the
same, A state of equilibrium