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Pathologies Flashcards

(51 cards)

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1
Q

What is Anaemia

A

A Deficiency in haemoglobin / erythrocyte disease

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2
Q

What is Hypochromic microcytic anaemia - iron-deficiency

A

Most common cause of anaemia which leads to a reduced concentration of haemoglobin in erythrocytes causing them to appear paler & smaller

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3
Q

What is megaloblastic anaemia

A

Characterised by large, immature & dysfunctional RBCs. DNA replication is slowed down & cell growth continues without division & maturation, resulting in the large erythrocytes - macrocytic cells
Due to lack of folate &/or vitamin B12

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4
Q

How does B12 impact the myelin sheath

A

B12 is essential for the production & maintenance of myelin sheath which surrounds nerve fibres
Hence if someone lacks vitamin B12 neurological symptoms are common eg tingling, numbness, loss of coordination etc

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5
Q

What is aplastic anaemia

A

A rare & potentially life-threatening failure of haematopoiesis
Pancytopenia & hypocellular bone marrow

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6
Q

What is haemolytic anaemia

A

Results from excessive breakdown of erythrocytes, when bone marrow activity cannot compensate for the loss of RBCs

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7
Q

What disease can cause haemolytic anaemia

A

Malaria

Where the parasites enter & mature within human erythrocytes & can cause them to rupture

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8
Q

What is sickle cell anaemia

A

A genetic type of haemolytic anaemia
An inherited recessive condition affecting mainly african & caribbean populations as the sickle trait helps to protect against malaria
A deficiency of the 2-alpha & 2-beta formation of haemoglobin & causes it to sickle up. These cells rupture easily
Erythropoiesis is stimulated but it cannot keep up with rate of haemolysis (cell lifespan of 10-20 days)

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9
Q

What is thalassaemia

A

A genetic type of of haemolytic anaemia which describes a defect in synthesis of either the alpha or beta Hb chains

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10
Q

What is haemolytic disease of the newborn

A

Occurs when the mother produces antibodies to attack a baby’s rhesus antigens

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11
Q

What is polycythaemia

A

Aka erythrocytosis

Describes an excessive production of erythrocytes resulting in increased blood viscosity, reduced blood flow & increase risk of thrombosis

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12
Q

What is granulocytopenia

A

A leukocyte pathology
Granulocytes = neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils

Where a marked reduction in the number of granulocyte leukocytes - dangerous situation as lowering defences

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13
Q

What is leukocytosis

A

Describes a marked increase in the number of all leukocytes

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14
Q

What is leukaemia

A

Describes a group of bone marrow cancers, characterised by an abnormal over production of leukocytes which results in suppressed erythrocyte production (anaemia) & thrombocytes

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15
Q

What are the 4 different types of leukaemia

A

Acute myelogenous
Acute lymphocytic
Chronic myelogenous
Chronic lymphocytic

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16
Q

What is thrombocytopenia

A

A reduction in the number of thrombocytes

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17
Q

What is haemophilia

A

A genetic X-linked recessive disorder of clotting factors
A = deficiency of clotting factor 8
B = deficiency of clotting factor 9

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18
Q

What is athersclerosis

A

A type of arteriosclerosis
Leads to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries which may disrupt blood flow to target organs
Affects large & medium -sized arteries

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19
Q

What is the process of atherosclerosis

A
  1. Damage of the vascular endothelium occurs creating inflammation
  2. LDLs deposit in the damaged tunica intima & are oxidised, subsequently attracting phagocytes
  3. Macrophages surround the fatty material in an attempt to destroy it & create foam cells
  4. A cap is formed over the atherosclerotic plaque to wall off the plaque from the blood
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20
Q

What is a stroke

A

Aka cerebrovascular accident
Occurs as a disruption of blood supply to the brain
Can be an ischaemic stroke or haemorrhagic stroke
50% affect cerebral cortex
Affects the contralateral body to the side of brain damage

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21
Q

What is a transient ischaemic attack

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A

Aka mini stroke
Temporary inadequacy of circulation to part of the brain
Similar clinical picture to stroke but lasts no longer than 24 hours !

22
Q

What is angina pectoris

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A

Ischaemic heart disease due to obstruction or spasm of the coronary arteries resulting in the demands of the myocardium not being met by its blood supply

23
Q

What is arterioclerosis

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A

Thickening & loss of elasticity of arterial walls

24
Q

What is an aneurysm & the two common types

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A

Abnormal local dilations of arteries due to weakness of the vessel wall
Is often secondary to athersclerosis

Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Berry aneurysm - occurs in centre of the cerebrum & presents as sevre headache

25
What is a deep vein thrombosis (dvt)
``` A Thrombus (clot) formation in the deep veins of the legs Risk of the clot dislodging & travelling to form a pulmonary embolism ```
26
What is a positive Homan’s sign
A test used for diagnosing a dvt | Person’s foot is forced into dorsi-flexion which causes pain in the back of knee
27
What are varicose veins
Incompetent valves cause pooling of the venous blood & chronically dilated veins which can cause complications
28
What are haemorrhoids
Aka piles Enlarged & often inflamed varicose veins in the anal canal Some prolapse, other types do on straining & in fourth degree are permanent
29
What are oesophageal varices
Varicose veins of the oesophagus, tending to affect the distal oesphagus Secondary to liver cirrhosis or right-sided heart failure
30
What is raynaud’s syndrome
Typically affecting women 30-40 | Intermittent attacks of ischaemia in body extremities, pallor, cyanosis &/or redness
31
What is oedema
Excess fluid accumulation in interstitial spaces Usually ‘Pitting’ oedema where dents are left in skin tissue of limbs when pressed Or can be non-pitting oedema
32
What is ascites
An excessive accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum (serous membrane surrounding GIT tract) 80% cases due to liver cirrhosis
33
What is shifting dullness
A diagnosis for ascites When turning patient onto their side from a supine position, the excess peritoneal fluid will fall to the side. This can be identified by percussing the patient’s abdomen to note the change in transition of ‘resonance’
34
What is hypertension
High blood pressure of 140/90mmHg A major risk factor for cardiovascular disease & cerebrovascular events It does not generally directly cause symptoms
35
What is hypotension
Low blood pressure less than 90/60mmHg Leads to inadequate blood supply to the brain Postural hypotension is common - fainting/dizziness on standing too quickly due to delayed response of baroreceptors
36
What is a heart failure
Where the heart fails to pump blood forwards effectively so backflow of fluid occurs Can be classified as acute - sudden onset which is a medical emergency Or chronic which gradually develops Can either be a right-sided failure or left-sided
37
What is valve stenosis
Fibrosis & calcification of valve leading to obstruction to blood flow through heart chambers To compensate the myocardium hypertrophies (enlarges) which leads to heart failure
38
What is valve regurgitation
Inadequate valve closure causing leakage | The heart hypertrophies & dilates to accomodate more blood which leads to heart failure
39
What is a myocardial infarction
Aka heart attack Necrosis of myocardial tissue due to ischaemia Usually due to a blockage of a coronary artery by a thrombus Half of the myocardial region becomes necrotic within one hour of occlusion
40
What is atrial fibrillation
Most common cardiac arrythmia Irregularly irregular rhythm Associated with stagnation of blood in the atria leading to thrombus formation & risk of embolism (stroke)
41
What is a cardiac arrest
A medical emergency - conduction arrest NOT a heart attack | Roughly 70% occur due to coronary heart disease
42
What is endocarditis
Inflammation of the endocardium & valves | An infective cause which can spread from dental infections
43
What is the difference between a cardiac arrest and heart attack
Heart attack is due to necrosis of heart tissues from ischaemia whereas a cardiac arrest is a failure in conduction, an arrhythmia
44
What is pericarditis
Acute inflammation of the pericardium Infiltration of the pericardium with leukocytes Normally due to a viral infection or a systemic inflammatory condition
45
What are osler’s nodes
Red tender spots under skin of fingers, can be a sign of endocarditis
46
What are splinter haemorrhages
Splinter appearances under nail beds
47
What is hypovolaemic shock
Where blood volume is reduced by 15-25% which may be due to a harmorrhage, severe burn, vomiting, diarrhoea or organ perforation
48
What is cardiogenic shock
Where the myocardium can’t maintain cardiac output due to an acute heart disease
49
What is septic shock
Where infection causes an immune & inflammatory response causing vasodilation & pooling of blood
50
What is neurogenic shock
Loss of sympathetic control on blood vessels & increased parasympathetic stimulation of the heart e.g from spinal cord injury. This leads to dilation of blood vessels which can cause reduced cardiac output, blood pooling & fainting
51
What is anaphylactic shock
A severe allergic response causing vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, reduced cardiac ouput & tissue hypoxia

Cardiovascular (4 decks)

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