copyright © 2008 delmar learning. all rights reserved. unit 6 classification of disease

Copyright © 2008 Delmar Learning. All rights reserved.

Unit 6

Classification of Disease


Objectives

• Spell and define terms.• Define disease and list some possible

causes.• Distinguish between signs and

symptoms.• List six major health problems.


Objectives

• Identify disease-related terms.• List ways in which a diagnosis is made.• Describe malignant and benign tumors.


Introduction

• Nurses value your observations – They are used to make evaluations and

plan nursing care for patients

• The better you understand the basic principles of disease, the more accurate the information you can provide.


Disease

• The body is a complex chemical factory– Depends on all of its parts to perform

efficiently

• It is subject to external and internal forces– Stress that can threaten its ability to

function properly


Disease

• Predisposing factors to disease are general conditions– Malnutrition may contribute to the

development of illness– Some diseases have related risk factors


Disease

• Risk factors – Specific behaviors or conditions that tend

to promote certain diseases


Signs and Symptoms

• Signs of a disease – Can be seen by others

• Symptoms– Felt by the patient


The Course of Disease

• Development and course of different illnesses vary greatly– Acute disease develops suddenly– Progresses rapidly– Lasts for a predictable period– The patient recovers or dies


The Course of Disease

• With a chronic disease– Periods when the patient experiences the

signs and symptoms– Periods when evidence of the disease is

less pronounced or disappears altogether


Complications

• A complication makes the original condition more serious


Major Conditions

• Some of the major conditions or illnesses that can affect the body’s ability to function are:– Ischemia– Congenital abnormalities– Infection– Inflammation


Major Conditions

• Some of the major conditions or illnesses that can affect the body’s ability to function are:– Obstruction– Trauma– Neoplasm


Diagnosis

• Medical diagnosis– Made by the physician – Patient is examined– History of previous illness is taken and

reviewed– Various laboratory and diagnostic tests are

performed


Diagnosis

• Physician compiles the information– Matches it to possible diseases– Names process to establish the medical

diagnosis


Diagnostic Studies

• Laboratory tests and diagnostic studies– Give physician valuable information for

naming the disease process and planning the proper treatment for the patient


Diagnostic Studies

• Protocols – Standards of procedure and care developed

for the preparation and care of the patient for each test or study


Diagnostic Studies

• Protocols– Follow to achieve satisfactory results– Improper patient preparation can result in:

• Inability to perform the test• Inaccurate test results• Delayed diagnosis• Increased costs• Increased patient anxiety• Slower recovery


Noninvasive Tests

• Some tests and studies are noninvasive – Ultrasound– Thermography– X-ray and fluoroscopy– Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)– Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)– Electroencephalogram (EEG)– Electromyogram (EMG)


Invasive Tests

• Some tests and studies are invasive – Direct visualization procedures– Dye studies– Cardiac catheterization


Other Techniques

• Chemical and microscopic studies– Examine samples of various body tissues

and secretions


Other Techniques

• The most common samples are:– Blood – Urine– Sputum from the lungs– Cultures from infected tissues– Gastric secretions– Feces


Therapy

• Once a diagnosis is confirmed, appropriate therapy is determined

• Four basic approaches to therapy:– Surgery– Chemotherapy– Radiation– Supportive care


Neoplasms

• Tumors can affect almost any organ of the body

• Tumor cells do not follow the normal laws of growth and reproduction– May not stay within the normal boundaries


Neoplasms

• Excess numbers of cells and abnormal cells crowd out the normal cells and compete with them for nutrients.


Types of Tumors

• Different types of tumors– More common among certain groups of

people • Children have more tumors of the

nervous system, urinary system, and hematopoietic system.


Types of Tumors

• Adults have more tumors of the reproductive organs, lungs, and colon.

• Two major types of tumors are classified as benign or malignant.


Early Detection

• Early detection of cancer can often result in a cure.

• The sooner the cancer is found, the higher the rate of its cure.

• Pain is usually a late symptom.


Body Defenses

• The body has a natural line of defenses against disease– Inflammation– Unbroken skin– Mucus


Inflammation

• Body’s natural defenses• Signs and symptoms of acute

inflammation:– Redness – Swelling– Heat– Loss of function– Pain


Immune Response

• Immune response – Protects the body against specific

infections by producing special chemicals called antibodies


Immune Response

• A vaccine may be given before exposure to a disease

• The body can then produce antibodies before actual exposure occurs

copyright © 2008 delmar learning. all rights reserved. unit 6 classification of disease

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