Environmental Path 1 Flashcards
(10 cards)
Q: What is the main cause of most sporadic cancers?
Q: What cancers are linked to HPV?
Q: How does ground-level ozone cause lung damage?
Q: Which particles are more damaging to the lungs: >10 µm or <10 µm?
Q: What type of lung injury is caused by organic dusts?
Q: How do you calculate pack-years?
A: Environmental factors (multifactorial), not heredity.
A: Cervical carcinoma and oropharyngeal cancer.
A: Free radical formation leads to respiratory epithelium injury.
A: <10 µm — they reach alveoli and cause inflammation.
A: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (immune-mediated).
A: Packs/day × years smoked.
Q: What is the mechanism of smoking-related carcinogenesis?
Q: Name two carcinogens in tobacco smoke?
Q: What cancer is associated with both smoking and alcohol?
Q: Name one cardiovascular and one pregnancy complication from smoking.
Q: What histologic changes are seen in smoker lungs?
Q: What are 2 health risks of passive smoke in children?
Q: What is cotinine used for clinically?
Q: Why is vaping discouraged in teens?
Q: What additive in vaping products caused lung injury in 2019?
Q: What are classic symptoms of EVALI?
A: CYPs activate carcinogens → ROS → DNA damage.
A: Nitrosamines and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
A: Oral squamous cell carcinoma.
A: Atherosclerosis and intrauterine growth retardation.
A: Tar deposits, alveolar damage, chronic inflammation.
A: Asthma and respiratory illness later in life.
A: To detect nicotine exposure or confirm smoking cessation.
A: Increases nicotine addiction and risk of later cigarette use.
A: Vitamin E acetate.
A: Cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, GI symptoms, low oxygen saturation.
Q: How does CO poisoning cause death?
Q: What brain region is classically damaged in chronic CO poisoning?
Q: What is the classic early symptom of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Q: What occupational exposure is linked to mesothelioma?
Q: What is the main toxic effect of vinyl chloride?
A: Binds hemoglobin, preventing O₂ delivery (asphyxiant).
A: Globus pallidus (basal ganglia).
A: Headache.
A: Asbestos
A: Angiosarcoma of the liver.
Q: Which chemical is linked to AML in solvent-exposed workers?
Q: What cancer was historically linked to chimney sweeps?
Q: What skin condition is caused by dioxin exposure?
Q: Which toxin caused chloracne and facial scarring in Viktor Yushchenko?
Q: What is the mechanism of cyanide toxicity?
A: Benzene.
A: Scrotal squamous cell carcinoma.
A: Chloracne.
A: Dioxin
A: Inhibits cytochrome oxidase → blocks cellular respiration.
Q: What are “lead lines” and where are they seen?
Q: What clinical sign of lead poisoning may appear on the gums?
Q: What neurologic symptom is commonly seen in adult and child lead toxicity?
Q: What type of anemia does lead poisoning cause?
Q: What is the appearance of RBCs in lead-induced anemia?
A: Dense bone lines in metaphysis due to disrupted remodeling in lead poisoning.
A: Blue gingival lead line.
A: Peripheral neuropathy (wrist and foot drop) and low IQ
A: Microcytic, hypochromic anemia with basophilic stippling
A: Small (microcytic), pale (hypochromic) with central pallor
Q: What causes basophilic stippling in lead poisoning?
Q: What is the most common environmental source of lead exposure in children?
Q: What renal condition is associated with lead poisoning?
Q: Why were Marvel toys recalled in 2007?
A: Ribosomal RNA aggregates in RBCs.
A: Paint in houses built before 1978.
A: Proximal tubule dysfunction → Fanconi syndrome.
A: Lead-contaminated paint on the toy surface.
Q: What mercury compound is most toxic and how is it acquired?
Q: What skin findings are seen in chronic arsenic poisoning?
Q: What is the renal effect of cadmium poisoning?
Q: Which pneumoconiosis is worsened by smoking?
Q: Why are full-thickness burns painless?
A: Methyl mercury from fish/shellfish.
A: Hyperkeratosis and hyperpigmentation of palms and soles.
A: Tubular necrosis and renal failure.
A: Asbestosis
A: Nerve endings are destroyed.
Q: Which degree of burn is painless and involves charring?
Q: What causes burn edema?
Q: Most common cause of death in house fires?
Q: Which organism is most common in burn wound sepsis?
Q: What GI complication occurs in burns?
Q: What is the “Rule of 9s”?
A: Third-degree (full-thickness) burn – nerves destroyed.
A: ↑Capillary permeability + high interstitial protein/osmotic pressure.
A: Smoke inhalation → hypoxia, pulmonary edema.
A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A: Curling ulcer (stress ulcer with hemorrhage).
A: Tool to estimate % BSA burned: each arm = 9%, each leg = 18%, front/back torso = 18%, head = 9%.
Q: Key sign of heat stroke?
Q: What leads to death in heat stroke?
Q: Why does sweating stop in heat stroke?
Q: What is the mechanism of frostbite damage?
Q: What is trench foot?
Q: General hypothermia signs?
A: Core temp >40°C, hot dry skin, altered mental status.
A: Multiorgan dysfunction and shock.
A: Failure of thermoregulation – peripheral vasodilation → heat retention.
A: Ice crystals cause membrane rupture → necrosis.
A: Local cold injury from wet/cold exposure >12h → edema, hypoxia.
A: Core temp <32°C, bradycardia, A-fib, unconsciousness.
