September 13, 2012 is world sepsis day. Sepsis is often misunderstood by the public as blood poisoning, is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Sepsis is when infection causes injury to the body tissues and organs and can cause shock and death of not caught early. Click to access Sepsis_Factsheet.pdf Wear …
Pathophysiology
Descriptions of various pathologies as learned in nursing school or beyond
Sickle Cell disease
Pathophysiology: Sickle Cell disease is a genetic, autosomal recessive disorder that results in abnormalities of the globin genes of the hemoglobin molecule of the RBC’s The BbS gene is the gene and it is inherited in people of African decent and to a much lesser extent from the middle east and the Mediterranean. This gene …
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It is a serious disorder. Pancreatitis is commonly described as autodigestion of the pancreas. It is believed that the pancreatic duct becomes temporarily obstructed, accompanied by hypersecretion of the exocrine enzymes of the pancreas. These enzymes enter the bile duct, where they are activated and, together with bile, back …
MSUD blog alert.
I received this note on my blog today from a mom whose daughter has Maple Syrup Urine Disease. “I found your blog through a Google alert for MSUD. My daughter has MSUD, and I blog about our experiences with it at http://www.ourtransplantjourney.net.“ There are some great entries on this blog. She talks about her daughters …
Maple Syrup Urine Disease
I came across this disease while taking my HESI practice exam today. I had never come across this disease prior to today. So I decided to look it up. “MSUD is caused by a deficiency of the BCKD complex, which catalyses the decarboxylation of the alpha-keto acids of leucine, isoleucine, and valine to their …
Something to help you remember: myasthenia gravis vs Guillain-Barré
To remember the difference between myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré . Myasthenia Gravis is characterized by a weakness of muscles, especially in the face and throat, caused by a lower motor neuron lesion at the myoneural junction. Myasthenia gravis occurs when antibodies attack Acetylcholine receptor sites It is not a genetic disorder. The muscle weakness occurs …
Colon Polyps
A polyup is a mass of tissue that protrudes into the lumen of the bowel. Polyps can occur anywhere in the intestinal tract and rectum. They can be classified as neoplastic (adenomas and carcinomas) or non- neoplastic (mucosal and hyperplastic) Non-neoplastic polyps, which are benign epithelial growths are common in the western world and occur …
Update -clinical day 5
Not a great day. My head really wasn’t in it this morning. I had my ass in a snit about something entirely unrelated. I woke up this morning and for whatever reason it was eating at me. This situation has since been resolved. My patient today was difficult. Wasn’t wanting me to do anything to …
Rectovaginal fistula
A rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an epithelial-lined tract between the rectum and vagina. CAUSES 1. Perineal lacerations during childbirth, especially those due to episioproctotomy, predispose patients to RVFs. Failure to recognize and correctly repair perineal lacerations, or secondary infection of perineal lacerations, further increases the chance of RVF. 2. Crohn disease and, ulcerative colitis have …
Dehydration
Dehydration (fluid volume deficit) Fluid volume deficit occurs from the loss of body fluids. This occurs more rapidly when coupled with decreased fluid intake and can also occur after a prolonged period of inadequate intake. Dehydration or fluid volume deficit can be mild moderate or severe. Cause: Causes of Dehydration include abnormal fluid losses such …