This BUNDLE consists of Study Guides for Exam 1, Exam 2 & Final Exam – NUR2063 / NUR 2063 Essentials of Pathophysiology – Rasmussen
Patho Final Study Guide: Modules 1-4
Module 1: Cell Structure & Function
What is the definition of homeostasis?
A self-regulating, give-and-take system that responds to minor changes in the body through
compensatory mechanisms.
What is a major indicator of altered homeostasis?
Fever
What is the difference between a sign and a symptom?
Signs can be seen or measured.
Symptoms are a patient description.
What chemicals are released during fight or flight?
Cortisol and catecholamines.
What does the nucleus do?
Store the cell’s DNA
What does the endoplasmic reticulum do?
Makes proteins that the cell needs.
What does the nucleolus do?
Produce and assemble the cell’s ribosomes.
What is hyperplasia?
Increased number of cells
What is hypertrophy?
Increased size of cells
What is glucagon?
A hormone that is formed in the liver
What is the role of insulin?
It grabs the glucose and brings it into the cell.
What causes edema?
Decrease in plasma proteins.
Module 2: Fluid & Electrolyte Balance
Where is the intracellular fluid found?
Inside the cells
What is intracellular rich in?
Magnesium and potassium. THINK MPPP (magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, protein)
Where is the extracellular fluid found?
Outside the cells.
How is extracellular fluid divided up? (ECF = 80% interstitial & 20% plasma)
Interstitial fluid and intravascular fluid
Electrolyte Norms/Ranges:
Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L
Chloride: 98-108 mEq/L
Magnesium: 1.8-2.4 mEq/L
Calcium: 8.6-10.2 mg/dL
Potassium: 3.5-5 mEq/L
Phosphorous: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
What part of the body does sodium affect?
The brain
What part of the body does potassium affect?
The heart & kidney
Where is our electrolyte pool and storage?
Bones
What is hypervolemia?
Excess fluid in the intravascular space
What would a patient look like with hypervolemia?
Peripheral edema, bounding pulse, tachycardia, jugular vein distention, hypertension, rapid
weight gain, bulging fontanelles, dyspnea
What is hypovolemia?
Decreased fluid in the intravascular space.
What does a patient look like with hypovolemia?
Thirst, hypotension, tachycardia, weak & thready pulse, dry mucus membranes, flat jugular
veins, altered level of consciousness.
What is hypertonic?
Higher solute, causing fluid to shift IN
What is hypotonic?
Lower solute, causing fluids to shift OUT
What is isotonic?
Equal solute, NO fluid shifts (ISO-perfect)
Isotonic can also be…
Normal saline & lactated ringers
What is osmosis?
Passive movement of water/solvent across the cell membrane to a higher concentration.
What is diffusion?
Particles move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until
equilibrium is reached.
ABG Normal Values:
pH: 7.35-7.45
PaCO2: 45-35
HCO3: 22-26
PaO2: 90-100
Hint: if your pH is with PaCO2 it’s respiratory
Hint: if your pH is with HCO3 it’s metabolic
What is respiratory acidosis?
The result of carbon dioxide retention increases carbonic acid.
What does a patient look like with respiratory acidosis?
Hypoventilation, hypotension with vasodilation, rapid shallow respirations, hyperkalemia,
elevated potassium level, drowsiness, dizziness, hyperreflexia, dyspnea (labored breathing)
– pH is below 7.35 & PaCO2 is above 45 –
What can cause respiratory acidosis?
Drug overdose, COPD, pneumonia, asthma
What is respiratory alkalosis?
Result of excess exhalation of carbon dioxide, which leads to carbonic acid deficits.
What does a patient look like with respiratory alkalosis?
Deep, rapid breathing, hyperventilation, tachycardia, hypotension (or normal BP), hypokalemia,
numbness & tingling, lethargy, and confusion.
What can cause respiratory alkalosis?
Hyperventilation, anxiety, fear, PE, or mechanical ventilation.
Cell Type & Functions:
Neutrophils – the first to arrive on the scene
Basophils – bind to IgE and release histamine in anaphylaxis
Eosinophils – allergic reactions that cause rhinorrhea
Monocytes – respond to inflammation by migrating to the infected area
Lymphocytes – mainly found in lymph; B cells, T cells, & killer cells
Macrophages – produced by monocytes; they phagocytize (eat) & stimulate lymphocytes to
respond to pathogens
Plasma Cells – develop from B cells
Mast Cells – connective tissue cells that release histamine
Module 4- GI
What organs sit in the RUQ?
Liver and gallbladder
What organs sit in the RLQ?
Appendix and colon
What organs sit in the LUQ?
Pancreas, spleen, and stomach
What organs sit in the LLQ?
Colon and ileum
If a patient comes in with RLQ pain and complains of fever and leukocytosis what organ are
we most concerned about?
RLQ
What is pyloric stenosis?
Narrowing and obstruction of the pyloric sphincter
What is the hallmark sign of someone with pyloric stenosis?
Hard olive-shaped mass in the RUQ
What is cleft palate?
A malformation that affects the lip and palate
Who is most likely to develop cleft palate?
Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asian descent
What is esophageal atresia?
Malformation or absence of the esophagus that causes vomiting, cyanosis, aspiration, and
malnutrition
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing causing you to have weight loss
What is hematemesis?
Blood in the vomit
Hematemesis is also referred to as?
Coffee ground emesis – upper GI bleed
What does blood look like from a lower GI bleed?
Black tarry stool
What causes a hiatal hernia?
Increased intrathoracic pressure or increased intra-abdominal pressure
What does GERD put you at risk for developing?
Esophageal cancer
What is the most common cause of gastritis?
H. Pylori
What is the biggest issue associated with gastroenteritis?
Electrolyte imbalance
What are duodenal ulcers mostly associated with?
Excessive acid or H. Pylori
What is the number one cause of peptic ulcers?
H. Pylori
What is cholelithiasis?
Gallstones
What is cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder
What does a patient look like with cholecystitis?
Biliary colic, abdominal distension, jaundice, fever, leukocytosis
What are the most common causes of cirrhosis?
Hepatitis C infection and chronic alcohol abuse
How do you treat cirrhosis?
Portal hypertension, esophageal varices, and encephalopathy
What is the cause of acute pancreatitis?
Cholelithiasis
What is the cause of chronic pancreatitis?
Alcohol abuse
What are functional obstructions also referred to as?
Paralytic ileus
What causes constipation?
Dehydration, low fiber intake, and depression
Why do antibiotics cause diarrhea?
They kill your normal gut flora
What causes bacterial diarrhea?
Food poisoning
What is the hallmark of peritonitis?
Abdominal rigidity, board-like abdomen, and fever
What is the difference between ascites and peritonitis?
Ascites is fluid in the abdomen; peritonitis is an infection
What is Crohn’s disease?
An insidious, slow-developing, progressive condition that often develops in adolescence.
What does Crohn’s disease appear to look like?
Cobblestone appearance
Pathophysiology Exam Review Modules 1-3
Module 1: Cells & Homeostasis
What are the General Adaptation Syndrome Stages?
- Stage 1: Alarm/Fight or Flight
- Stage 2: Resistance
- Stage 3: Exhaustion
What happens to our body during the fight or flight stage?
The stressor upsets homeostasis
What is being released from our body during the alarm stage (fight or flight)?
Catecholamines and cortisol
What is the function of a ribosome?
Aid in protein production and form clusters that are held together by DNA
What is the function of the nucleus?
Contains genetic information and controls the production of proteins
What is the function of the mitochondria?
It is responsible for cellular respiration and energy production – carries DNA
What is the function of the endoplasmic reticulum?
Calcium storage, protein synthesis, and lipid metabolism
What is diffusion?
Moving from a high concentration to a low concentration
What is osmosis?
The movement of water across the cell membrane
– think H2O for water –
What is active transport?
Movement of molecules across a membrane where assistance is needed
What is passive transport?
Movement of molecules without needing energy (ATP) to pass through
What substances have free movement?
Enzymes, Glucose, Electrolytes
What is meiosis?
Cell division in sexually reproducing organisms reduces the number of chromosomes in
gametes
What is mitosis?
Cells divide into two identically daughter cells
What is pinocytosis?
Cell drinking
What is phagocytosis?
Cell eating
What is exocytosis?
Exiting or expelling a protein out of a cell
What is carcinogenesis?
The development of cancer
What are the three stages of carcinogenesis?
- Initiation: Introduction of the agent
- Promotion: Initiation of uncontrolled growth
- Progression: Permanent malignant changes
What is cachexia?
A symptom of cancer – sunken eyes, weight loss, muscle loss, and no appetite
What is atrophy?
Decreases organelle size and lowers energy usage
What is hypertrophy?
Increases organelle size