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Pathophysiology Flashcards

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1
Q

CAD (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: narrowing of the coronary arteries limits blood supply to the heart muscle causing angina (CP specifically due to cardiac muscle ischemia)
  • Dx: cardiac catheterization (not in ED)
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2
Q

MI (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: acute blockage of the coronary arteries results in ischemia and infarct of the heart muscle
  • Risk factors: CAD, HTN, HLD, DM, smoker, FHx of CAD <55y/o
  • Dx: EKG (STEMI) or elevated troponin (non-STEMI)
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3
Q

CHF (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: the heart becomes enlarged, inefficient, and congested with excess fluid
  • Dx: CXR or elevated BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide)
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4
Q

A-Fib (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: electrical abnormalities in the wiring of the heart causes the atria to quiver abnormally
  • Risk factors: paroxysmal A-Fib, chronic A-Fib
  • Dx: EKG
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5
Q

Pericarditis

A

Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart causing CP

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6
Q

Pleurisy

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Inflammation of the sac surrounding the lungs causing pleuritic CP

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7
Q

Costochondritis

A

Irritation of the ribs causing CP worsened by pressing on the sternum

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8
Q

Chest wall pain

A

Irritation of the chest wall causing pain with palpation of the chest

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9
Q

Pleural effusion

A

Fluid collecting around the lungs causing SOB or CP

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10
Q

PE (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: blood clot becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery and blocks blood flow to the lungs
  • Risk factors: known DVT, PMHx of DVT or PE, FHx, recent surgery, CA, A-Fib, immobility, pregnancy, BCP, smoking
  • Dx: D-dimer followed by CTA chest (w/ IV contrast) or VQ scan
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11
Q

PNA (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: infiltrate (bacterial infection) and inflammation inside the lung
  • Risk factors: elderly bedridden, recent chest injury, recent surgery
  • Dx: CXR
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12
Q

PTX (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: collapsed lung due to trauma or a spontaneous small rupture of the lung
  • Dx: CXR
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13
Q

COPD (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: long-term damage to the lung’s alveoli (emphysema) along with inflammation and mucous production (chronic bronchitis)
  • Risk factors: smoking, occupational hazards
  • Dx: CXR and hx of smoking
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14
Q

RAD (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: constricting of the airway due to inflammation and muscular contraction of the bronchioles (bronchospasm)
  • Dx: clinically
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15
Q

CVA (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: blockage of the arteries supplying blood to the brain resulting in permanent brain damage
  • Risk factors: HTN, HLD, DM, hx TIA/CVA, smoking, FHx CVA, A-Fib
  • Dx: clinically, potentially normal CT head
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16
Q

Hemorrhagic CVA/brain bleed (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: traumatic or spontaneous rupture of blood vessels in the head leads to bleeding in the brain
  • Dx: CT head or LP
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17
Q

TIA (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: vascular changes temporarily deprive a part of the brain of oxygen (sx’s last for less than one hour)
  • Dx: clinically
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18
Q

Meningitis (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: inflammation and infection of the meninges; sac surrounding the CNS
  • Dx: LP
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19
Q

Spinal cord injury (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: injury to the spinal cord may create weakness or numbness in the extremities past the site of injury
  • Dx: CT C-spine (neck), CT T-spine (upper back), CT L-spine (lower back)
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20
Q

SZ (etiology)

A
  • Etiology: abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to abnormal physical manifestations. Often caused by epilepsy, EtOH withdrawals, or febrile seizure in pediatric pts
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21
Q

Bell’s Palsy (etiology and dx)

A
  • Etiology: inflammation or viral infection of the facial nerve causes one-sided weakness of the entire face
  • Dx: clinically
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22
Q

HA/cephalgia (etiology)

A
  • Etiology: various causes including hypertensive headaches (from high BP), recurrent diagnosed migraines, sinusitis, etc.
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23
Q

AMS (etiology, risk factors, and dx)

A
  • Etiology: multiple causes; most common are hypoglycemia, infection, intoxication, and neurological
  • Risk factors: diabetic, elderly, demented, EtOH use, drug use
  • Dx: case dependent
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24
Q

Syncope (etiology)

A
  • Etiology: temporary loss of blood supply to the brain resulting in loss of consciousness. Variety of causes; most common are vasovagal and low blood volume (dehydration/hypovolemia). Occasionally due to cardiac/neurological causes
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25
Vertigo (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: may be from harmless problem of inner ear (benign positional vertigo) or it may be caused due to damage in a specific center of the brain (possible CVA) - Dx: clinically
26
APPY (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: infection of the appendix causes inflammation and blockage, possibly leading to rupture - Dx: CT A/P with PO contrast
27
SBO (etiology, risk factor, and dx)
- Etiology: physical blockage of the SI - Risk factor: elderly, infants, abdominal surgery, narcotic pain medication - Dx: CT A/P with PO contrast, acute abdominal series (AAS)
28
Cholelithiasis/cholecystitis (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: minerals from liver's bile condense to form gallstones which can irritate, inflame, or obstruct the gallbladder - Dx: abdominal US, RUQ
29
GI bleed (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: hemorrhage in the upper or lower GI tract can lead to anemia - Dx: heme positive stool (Guaiac positive) during a rectal exam
30
Diverticulitis (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: acute inflammation and infection of abnormal pockets of the LI (diverticuli) - Risk factors: diverticulosis, advanced age - Dx: CT A/P with PO contrast
31
Pancreatitis (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: inflammation of pancreas - Risk factors: EtOH abuse, cholecystitis, specific medications - Dx: elevated lipase lab test (sometimes elevated amylase)
32
GERD (etiology)
- Etiology: stomach acid regurgitating into the esophagus
33
C. diff colitis
Opportunistic bacteria that causes persistent diarrhea (stool therapy)
34
Gastroenteritis
Vomiting and diarrhea; "GI bug" often viral or bacterial
35
Crohn's disease
Immune disorder causing diarrhea and abdominal pain
36
IBS
Chronically sensitive bowels prone to diarrhea
37
Gastritis
Irritated stomach with vomiting; "stomach ache"
38
UTI (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: infection in the urinary tract (bladder/urethra) - Risk factors: female - Dx: urine dip (done in ED) or urinalysis (specimen sent to lab to test for nitrile, WBC, and bacteria in urine)
39
Pyelonephritis (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: infection of the tissue in the kidneys, usually spread from a UTI - Risk factors: female, frequent UTIs - Dx: CT abd/pelvis without contrast or confirmed UTI with CVA tenderness on exam
40
Kidney stone/nephrolithiasis/renal calculi/urolithiasis (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: kidney stone dislodges from the kidney and begins traveling down the ureter. Stone scrapes and irritates the ureter, causing severe flank pain and bloody urine - Dx: CT abd/pelvis, RBC in urine may be a clue
41
Ectopic/tubal pregnancy (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: fertilized egg develops outside the uterus, usually in fallopian tube. High risk for rupture and death - Risk factors: pregnant female (HCG positive), STD (PID)
42
Ovarian torsion (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: twisting of an ovarian artery reducing blood flow to an ovary, possibly resulting in infarct of the ovary - Dx: US pelvis (assesses blood flow to ovaries)
43
Testicular torsion (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: twisting of the spermatic cord resulting in loss of blood flow and nerve function to the testicle - Dx: US scrotum
44
URI (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: most often viral infection causes congestion, cough, and inflammation of the upper airway - Dx: clinically
45
Otitis media (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: viral or bacterial infection of TM causing ear pain and pressure - Dx: clinically
46
Streptococcal pharyngitis (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: bacterial infection of the tonsils and pharynx causing a sore throat and frequently swollen lymph nodes - Dx: rapid strep
47
Conjunctivitis (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: infection of the outer lining of the eye (conjunctiva) - Dx: clinically
48
Epistaxis (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: rupture of a blood vessel inside the nose causes blood to flow out the nose and into the throat - Risk factors: blood thinners (Coumadin/Warfarin, ASA, Plavix) or HTN - Dx: clinically
49
Musculoskeletal back pain (etiology)
- Etiology: deterioration or strain of the back creates pain that is worse with movement
50
Extremity injury (etiology)
- Etiology: trauma creates pain/swelling in an extremity
51
AAA (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: widened and weakened arterial wall at risk of rupture - Dx: CT A/P with IV contrast dye
52
Aortic dissection (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: separation of the muscular wall from the membrane of the artery, putting the pt at risk of aortic rupture and death - Dx: CT chest with IV contrast dye
53
DVT (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: blood slows down while flowing through long straight veins in extremities; slow-flowing blood is more likely to clot. Once formed the clot can continue to grow and eventually occlude the vein - Risk factors: PMHx of DVT or PE, FHx, recent surgery, CA, immobility, pregnancy, BCP, smoking, LE trauma, LE casts - Dx: US/doppler of the extremity
54
Cellulitis (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: infection of the skin cells | - Dx: clinically
55
Abscess (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: skin infection with an underlying collection of pus - Dx: clinically
56
Rash (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: changes in the skin's appearance due to systemic/localized reaction. May be caused from medication, virus, bacteria, fungus, insect, etc. - Dx: clinically
57
Allergic reaction (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: immune response causing an inflammatory reaction consisting of swelling, itching (pruritus), and rash - Risk factors: known drug/food allergy - Dx: clinically
58
DKA (etiology, risk factors, and dx)
- Etiology: shortage of insulin resulting in hyperglycemia and production of ketones - Risk factors: DM - Dx: arterial blood gas (ABG/VBG) showing low pH (acidosis) or positive serum ketones
59
Psychological disorder (etiology)
- Etiology: various types of psychological disease produce abnormal thoughts, behaviors, or actions
60
Trauma (etiology and dx)
- Etiology: depending on MOI physical trauma may break bones, sever nerves, rupture blood vessels, or damage internal organs - Dx: trauma protocol depending on MOI, CT or XR
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