Nurse Key

49 Hypothyroidism Overview/pathophysiology Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is an inadequate amount of circulating thyroid hormone, causing a decrease in metabolic rate that affects all body systems. Primary…

48 Hyperthyroidism Overview/pathophysiology Hyperthyroidism is a clinical syndrome caused by excessive circulating thyroid hormone. Because thyroid activity affects all body systems, excessive thyroid hormone exaggerates normal body functions and produces…

45 Diabetes mellitus Overview/pathophysiology Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a worldwide epidemic of chronic hyperglycemia affecting more than 7.8% (24 million) of the total U.S. population. There are 1.6 million new…

44 Diabetes insipidus Overview/pathophysiology Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a condition that can result from one of several problems. Central (neurogenic) DI is caused by a defect in the synthesis of…

43 Traumatic brain injury Overview/pathophysiology Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause varying degrees of damage to the skull and brain tissue. Primary injuries occur at the time of impact and…

40 Seizures and epilepsy Overview/pathophysiology Seizures result from an abnormal, uncontrolled electrical discharge from the neurons of the cerebral cortex in response to a stimulus. If the activity is localized…

42 Stroke Overview/pathophysiology A stroke (previously known as cerebrovascular accident [CVA]) is the sudden disruption of O2 supply to the brain or rupture in one or more of the blood…

41 Spinal cord injury Overview/pathophysiology Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are caused by vertebral fractures or dislocations that sever, lacerate, stretch, or compress the spinal cord and interrupt neuronal function and…

39 Parkinsonism Overview/pathophysiology Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a slowly progressive degenerative disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) affecting the brain centers that regulate movement and balance. For unknown reasons,…