Ch. 1 Learning: Introduction to the Basics of Pathophysiology

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The public health nurse is examining the number of new cases of syphilis within a year in the United States.
Which data is the nurse studying?

A. Frequency
B. Prevalence
C. Popularity
D. Incidence
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Terms in this set (30)
The public health nurse is examining the number of new cases of syphilis within a year in the United States.
Which data is the nurse studying?

A. Frequency
B. Prevalence
C. Popularity
D. Incidence
D. Incidence
- Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a disease within a defined period of time and for a defined population.
- Prevalence is the number of individuals of a defined population who already have a disease or condition.
- Frequency of a disease is classified by incidence and prevalence.
- Popularity is not data that is measured.
The nurse recognizes that techniques available to identify all genetic variations or modifications can influence a particular cell.
Which term should the nurse use to describe this area of study?

A. Genetics
B. Epigenomics
C. Genealogy
D. Genomics
B. Epigenomics
- Epigenomics is the study of a complete set of modifications to cellular DNA and how they influence a particular cell.
- Genomics is the study of the function of groups of genes in terms of mediating physiological function.
- Genetics involves studying how genetic variations are passed through familial inheritance.
- Genealogy is the study of tracing the line of descendants.
The nurse is preparing a patient education brochure regarding diseases that develop at an earlier age in men than in women.
Which disease would NOT be included?

A. Coronary heart disease
B. Lupus
C. Hypertension
D. Diabetes
B. Lupus
Diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes may develop at an earlier age in men than in women. This contributes to a higher morbidity and mortality rate in men. Lupus is an autoimmune disease and is more prevalent in women.
During a seminar for young adults, the nurse discusses risks for developing cardiovascular disease.
Which factor would be accurate to present?

A. Decreased intake of salt
B. Exercising for 1 hour five times a week
C. Smoking
D. Consuming a low-fat diet
C. Smoking
Risk factors put a patient at a greater risk of developing a disease. Smoking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Consuming a low-fat diet, exercise, and a decreased intake of salt all decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
The public health nurse is explaining the objective of epidemiology to a group of public administrators.
Which statement is accurate?

A. "Epidemiology helps to identify an individual patient's response to illness."
B. "Epidemiology helps to provide the basis for developing public policy."
C. "Epidemiology has a primary goal of developing new modes of preventative and therapeutic treatment."
D. "Epidemiology will identify physiological functioning of groups of genes."
B. "Epidemiology helps to provide the basis for developing public policy."
The objectives of epidemiology include:
- To identify the cause of a disease.
- To identify the risk factors of a disease.
- To determine the extent of a disease in the community.
- To evaluate existing and newly developed preventative and therapeutic measures.
- To provide a basis for developing public policy.
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which fats should be limited to less than 30 percent of energy intake?

A. Saturated
B. Trans-saturated
C. Monounsaturated
D. Polyunsaturated
A. Saturated
According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, saturated fats, such as butter, animal fats, and shortening, should be limited to less than 30 percent of energy intake to lower the risk of heart disease.
The nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Which term describes the type of risk factor an individual has the capability of changing?

A. Flexible
B. Modifiable
C. Changeable
D. Fluctuating
B. Modifiable
Modifiable risk factors are factors that individuals have control over and may change. Examples include diet, smoking, and drinking. The other terms do not relate to risk factors.
Which statement by the nurse accurately describes chronic illnesses as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?

A. "Generally speaking, chronic diseases that are communicable are short-lived and not curable."
B. "With appropriate and timely intervention, chronic diseases are usually curable."
C. "Chronic diseases that are caused by modifiable risk factors are usually spontaneously reversed with removal of the risk factor."
D. "Chronic diseases are prolonged noncommunicable diseases that are seldom cured or spontaneously resolved."
D. "Chronic diseases are prolonged noncommunicable diseases that are seldom cured or spontaneously resolved."
According to the CDC, chronic diseases are considered prolonged noncommunicable diseases that are seldom cured or spontaneously resolved. They include diseases such as:
Heart disease.
Cancer.
Diabetes.
Alzheimer disease.
The nurse is teaching a patient about healthy eating patterns as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Which diet is not included in the guidelines?

A. Healthy Vegetarian
B. Healthy Mediterranean-Style
C. Healthy U.S.-Style
D. Healthy Paleo-Style
D. Healthy Paleo-Style
The concept of an eating pattern acknowledges that meals, snacks, and beverages all contribute to energy and nutrient intakes. The three eating option patterns that are outlined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are:
- Healthy U.S.-Style.
- Healthy Mediterranean-Style.
- Healthy Vegetarian.
The nurse is caring for a patient with a chronic disease.
Which disease or injury does the patient have?

A. Fractured bone
B. Alzheimer disease
C. Strep throat
D. Flu
B. Alzheimer disease
A chronic condition is one that has an enduring quality with lasting implications, such as Alzheimer disease. The flu, strep throat, and a fractured bone would be considered acute conditions, because they appear quickly and resolve in a reasonable amount of time.
The nurse is conducting a nutrition class for a group of patients. Which shortfall nutrients should the nurse encourage the patients to increase in their diet? A. Vitamin K, iron, and creatinine B. Potassium, calcium, and vitamin D C. Glucose, vitamin E, and zinc D. Sodium, vitamin C, and magnesiumB. Potassium, calcium, and vitamin D Shortfall nutrients are nutrients that many Americans may not get enough of in their diet. They include potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and fiber.As a nurse, it is important to understand the functional alterations at various levels of the body that are involved in disease states. What is this called? A. Pathophysiology B. Microbiology C. Molecular biology D. GeneticsA. Pathophysiology - Pathophysiology is the study of functional alterations at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ system levels that are involved in disease states. - Microbiology is the study of microorganisms. - Genetics is the study of genes or heredity. - Molecular biology is the study of the structure and functions of macromolecules essential to life.Which food is not considered a highly pigmented fruit or vegetable? A. White onion B. Blueberry C. Beet D. SpinachA. White onion The more highly pigmented a fruit or vegetable, the better it is for a patient. These include beets, spinach, squash, and berries.Disease incidence and prevalence of certain diseases have increased in the pediatric population. Which is an example of such a disease? A. Asthma B.Renal failure C. Hypertension D. ArthritisA. Asthma A disease that has been increasing in incidence and prevalence in the pediatric population is asthma. The other diseases are more prevalent in older adults.Which disease state should the nurse recognize as being related to the biophysiological concept of cognition? A. Dementia B. Obesity C. Neuropathy D. FatigueA. Dementia - The concept of cognition relates to an individual's ability to think. Diseases that are related to the biophysiological concept of cognition include dementia, delirium, depression, anxiety, and thought process disorders. - A disease that is related to the biophysiological concept of metabolism is obesity. A disease that is related to the biophysiological concept of energy balance is fatigue. A disease that is related to the biophysiological concept of comfort is neuropathy.The nurse is explaining the term genomics to a patient. Which statement is accurate? A. "Genomics refers to the complete disappearance of detectable manifestations of a disease." B. "Genomics includes examining how genetic variations are passed through inheritance." C. "Genomics is the study of the function of groups of genes in terms of mediating physiological functions." D. "Genomics refers to the genetic risk factors that put a person at a greater risk of developing a disease."C. "Genomics is the study of the function of groups of genes in terms of mediating physiological functions." - Genomics is the study of the function of groups of genes in terms of mediating physiological function. - Total remission is the complete disappearance of detectable manifestations of a disease. -,Non-modifiable risk factors are risk factors that cannot be altered, such as genetics. -Genetics involves studying how genetic variations are passed through familial inheritance.As a nurse, you will be caring for patients with syndromes. Which response defines this term? A. Something that puts a patient at greater risk of developing a disease B. Situation that is impairing functional ability C. Group of signs and symptoms that emerge from a disease state D. Disruption of psychological functionC. Group of signs and symptoms that emerge from a disease state A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that emerge from a disease state. For example, Down syndrome is associated with characteristic facial features and cognitive disabilities.In healthcare, which term is used to describe an individual's experience with a particular disease? A. Symptom B. Illness C. Episode D. SignB. Illness - The term used to describe an individual's experience with a particular disease is called illness. - A sign is the objective indication of a disease that is observable - Symptom is the subjective sensation perceived by an individual - Episode is an event that is a separate part of a larger condition.The nurse is researching information regarding the frequency of a certain disease in a particular population. Which branch of medicine is the nurse exploring? A. Epidemiology B. Histology C. Genealogy D. PathophysiologyA. Epidemiology - Epidemiology is the study of how diseases are distributed in a specific population. This study is divided into incidence and prevalence. - Histology is the study of tissues. - Genealogy is the study of tracing lines of descendants. - Pathophysiology is the study of functional alterations at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and organ system levels that are involved in disease states.The nurse is caring for a patient with cancer who is free of all signs and symptoms. Which type of remission describes this patient's presentation? A. Entire remission B. Partial remission C. Total remission D. Periodic remissionC. Total remission - A patient with cancer who is not exhibiting any clinical manifestations of the disease is said to be in total remission. - Partial remission, there is a decrease in the severity of the disease; however, some of the clinical manifestations are still present. - Entire and periodic remission are not terms used to describe this type of remission.The nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which modifiable risk factor should the nurse discuss with this patient. A. Exercise B. Family history C. Race D. GeneticsA. Exercise Modifiable risk factors are factors that the patient may change. Exercise is a known risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The less active a patient is, the higher the risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Race, family history, and genetics are non-modifiable risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus.The nurse is examining public surveillance data. Which reports are useful sources to provide this data? A. Exacerbation and remission B. Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors C. Signs and symptoms D. Morbidity and mortalityD. Morbidity and mortality - Mortality, which is the number of deaths in a given population, and morbidity, which is the departure from well-being, are both useful sources of public surveillance data. - Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors are factors that put a person at a greater risk for developing a particular disease. - Exacerbation and remission are terms used to describe the clinical course of a disease. - Signs and symptoms are terms used to describe the clinical manifestations of a disease.The nurse is teaching a patient about the consumption of whole grains. Which example would the nurse not use? A. Popcorn B. White bread C. Oatmeal D. QuinoaB. White bread Whole grains such as popcorn, oatmeal, and quinoa should be consumed since they promote satiety and lower the risk for chronic diseases. White bread is not considered a whole grain.The nurse is examining public surveillance data. Which data is the nurse examining? A. Prevalence B. Morbidity C. Mortality D. IncidenceC. Mortality - Mortality is the number of deaths in a given population. - Incidence is the number of new cases of a disease within a defined period of time for a defined population. - Prevalence is the number of individuals in a defined population who already have a disease or condition. - Morbidity is the departure from physiological or psychological well-being.The nurse is basing the care of a patient on the combination of individual clinical experience and the best available clinical proof from systematic research. Which type of practice is the nurse using? A. Collaboration-based B. Verification-based C. Confirmation-based D. Evidence-basedD. Evidence-based Evidence-based practice (EBP) is caring for a patient with the integration of clinical experience and research studies that have been evaluated. Often, these findings are integrated into a set of practice guidelines that provide a base for identifying procedures and techniques that are supported by direct clinical evidence.The nurse is caring for a patient with asthma who is experiencing wheezing and tightness in their chest. Which term describes the clinical course of the disease the patient is experiencing? A. Exacerbation B. Idiopathic etiology C. Remission D. Iatrogenic etiologyA. Exacerbation - Exacerbation is the worsening of the patient's signs or symptoms. Examples are wheezing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of breath in a patient with asthma. - Remission is a decrease in the severity of a disease. - If the cause of a disease cannot be determined, it is said to be idiopathic. - Iatrogenic refers to a disease that is caused by an error by a healthcare provider.Nurses care for patients in a wide range of ages; however, specific lifespan groups may need special consideration. Which group is not considered a specific lifespan group that requires special consideration? A. Young adults B. Pediatric patients C. Geriatric patients D. Pregnant patientsA. Young adults Nurses care for patients ranging from newborns to older adults; however, special consideration must be given to the following populations: Pediatric, pregnant, and geriatric patients.What is the purpose of the Human Genome Project? A. To identify the DNA sequence of every gene B. To cure all genetically inherited diseases C. To clone every gene on a single chromosome D. To determine how pharmacological agents affect each geneA. To identify the DNA sequence of every gene The purpose of the Human Genome Project is to identify the DNA sequence of every gene. This knowledge will reveal biological variations among individuals and populations.The nurse is caring for patients with disruption of psychological or physiological function. Which term describes these conditions? A. Disorder B. Sign C. Symptom D. Risk factorA. Disorder A disruption of psychological or physiological function is known as a disorder. For example, many genetic variations may lead to a disruption of immune cells. A sign is the objective indication of a disease that is observable, and a symptom is the subjective sensation perceived by an individual. A risk factor is something that puts a person at a greater risk for developing a disease.As a nurse, you will be caring for patients with syndromes. Which response defines this term? A. Group of signs and symptoms that emerge from a disease state B. Something that puts a patient at greater risk of developing a disease C. Situation that is impairing functional ability D. Disruption of psychological functionA. Group of signs and symptoms that emerge from a disease state A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that emerge from a disease state. For example, Down syndrome is associated with characteristic facial features and cognitive disabilities.