PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS DIC is a secondary disorder that occurs as a result of tissue injury, inflammation, or abnormal regulatory mechanisms (Fig. 11.1) (Mercer et al., 2006; Toh & Downey, 2005;…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Hyperleukocytosis is a life-threatening phenomenon that occurs when a peripheral leukocyte count exceeds 100,000/mL. An increase in the absolute number of one or more of the white blood…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome marked by disturbances in consciousness, personality, intellect, and neuromuscular coordination and control; a diminishing level of consciousness; and electroencephalographic changes….
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the world, with about 500,000 cases diagnosed each year. Factors associated with the development of cervical cancer…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is an irritation of the endothelial lining of the bladder characterized by mucosal inflammation and ulceration with bleeding, clotting, or hemorrhage. The severity of bleeding…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a frequent complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation and a much rarer complication of blood transfusions. The conditions for GVHD are met…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a potentially life-threatening syndrome characterized by dyspnea, severe hypoxemias, decreased lung compliance, and diffuse, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates without evidence of left ventricular…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS Esophageal varices are dilated blood vessels in the wall of the esophagus; they are often described as hemorrhoids of the esophagus. Varices are caused by liver disease and…
PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS The dying process is a complex physiologic response to end-stage illness. It is characterized by symptoms that require intensive interventions to ensure comfort for the patient and a…
THE DISCIPLINE OF ETHICS Ethics is sometimes referred to as moral philosophy. It includes the study and decisions involved in determining “right” and “wrong” behavior. Ethics is concerned with “the…
