Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Medicine & Health

Forensic Medicine and Toxicology: Key Concepts

1. Diagnosis of Non-Life Signs

   • Saponification
   • Mummification
   • Corification
   • Adipocere

2. Temperature Incompatible with Life

   Examples: 20 ºC, 34 ºC, 36 ºC

3. Nysten's Sign

   Premature, low intensity, and short duration rigor mortis.

4. Definition of Suspicious Death and Homicide

   Referenced in: Criminal Code, Law of Criminal Procedure (LEC), Civil Code, etc.

5. Judicial Autopsies in Catalonia (One Third)

   Causes include: accidental, natural, suicide, homicide.

6. Number of Femicides in 2007

   8.72 (specific data point)

7. Sexual Asphyxia

   Considered an accident.

8. Death Mechanisms

   Examples: anoxic anoxia, reflex inhibition.

9. Incised Wound Before Death

   Indicated by: coagulation, etc.

10. Umbilical Cord After Birth

    Timeframes: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 4 days,

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes typically appears in children and young adults. It often manifests suddenly in individuals who are not overweight. People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin.

It can be genetic in origin due to an autoimmune problem, where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys its own insulin-producing cells.

Symptoms:

• Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
• Constant hunger (polyphagia)
• Frequent urination (polyuria)
• Vision problems

Treatment involves regulating blood glucose levels. The pancreas produces insulin to reduce glucose concentrations and glucagon to enhance them. A glucometer is used to measure glucose levels. Doctors may perform a glucose tolerance test to diagnose diabetes. Insulin can be injected using an insulin... Continue reading "Diabetes Types, Alzheimer's, Obesity, and Nutrition" »

Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Preventing cardiovascular disease involves adopting a healthy lifestyle. Key recommendations include:

• Regular Exercise: Engage in consistent physical activity.
• Calorie Management: Avoid excessive calorie intake.
• Dietary Moderation: Limit salt, sugar, red meat, egg yolks, and alcohol.
• Increased Consumption: Boost intake of cereals, pulses, oily fish, salads, and fruits.
• Fat Choices: Moderate animal fat intake and prioritize healthier vegetable oils.
• Dairy Alternatives: Choose soy or skim milk.
• Fiber-Rich Foods: Eat foods high in fiber.
• Meal Preparation: Limit reliance on pre-cooked meals.
• Rest and Organization: Ensure adequate rest and organize time and activities effectively.

Understanding Mental Health Conditions

Mental... Continue reading "Essential Health Knowledge: Disease Prevention and Common Conditions" »

Health Concepts

The concept of health, according to the WHO, is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

To measure health, a key parameter is life expectancy, i.e., the average life expectancy of a person.

Factors affecting a person's health may be biological, environmental, related to access to health services, or lifestyle-related. Lifestyle choices depend on personal or cultural factors. Leading a healthy life involves taking care of diet, engaging in physical exercise, and avoiding addictive substances.

Carbohydrates (60% Daily Intake)

Carbohydrates are an important source of energy for our body. They are stored mainly in muscle and liver cells.

Glucose is essential for... Continue reading "Foundations of Health, Nutrition, and Genetics" »

First Aid

Position the Injured: Place the wounded person on their side to prevent choking and ensure their tongue does not obstruct their airway.

Kit: Soothing agents, betadine, bandages, plasters, thermometer, ointments, syringes, chlorhexidine, tape.

Cardiac Massage

Place the heel of your right hand on the lower half of the sternum and your left hand on top. Perform 60-80 compressions per minute for adults and 100 for babies.

Rescue Breathing

Place the heel of your hand on the forehead of the wounded person, pinch their nose, and lift their jaw with your other hand. Breathe directly into their mouth at a rate of 10 breaths per minute for adults and 15-20 for babies.

Health Concepts

Health

A complete state in which a person normally develops all their... Continue reading "Essential First Aid and Occupational Health Practices" »

TAE Functions in the Surgical Area

• Cleaning of instruments, equipment, and surfaces according to protocol.
• Sending instruments to central sterilization (clean, dry, and in proper containers).
• Receiving instruments and textile equipment from central sterilization, verifying and controlling sealed sterilization containers (color indicator).
• Picking up disposables and discarding them in special containers.
• Replacing materials.
• Receiving the patient in the pre-operative area, identifying them, and reviewing their clinical history.
• Checking patient's hygiene and shaved areas.
• Providing psychological support.
• Transferring the patient to the recovery unit upon awakening and collaborating with the medical team.

Postoperative Patient Care

Postoperative care begins... Continue reading "Nursing Assistant's Role in Surgical and Postoperative Patient Care" »

Hominization: The Path to Humanity

Hominization is the process through which primates, our ancestors, gradually acquired the physical structure of humans. This involved a series of morphological changes affecting their bodies, changes observed in the fossil record. Significant morphological changes include:

• Lengthening of the hip.
• Development of bipedal walking legs.
• Atrophy of the lower jaw and masseter muscles (releasing the skull).
• Increasing complexity of the brain (leading to greater intelligence).
• Development of the hand, particularly the thumb (allowing the use and manufacture of tools).

Humanization is the process by which our ancestors acquired culture, the elements that constitute civilization. This involves not physical changes, but cultural... Continue reading "Hominization and Evolution: Key Concepts Explained" »

Procedure: Inform the patient that it is bath time and request their cooperation. Offer the bedpan or urinal before you start cleaning. Gather all materials so that they are within reach. Wash your hands and put on gloves. Place the patient in a supine position.

1. Head - Hair and Face

Hair

From the recumbent position, remove the patient's pillow and place a towel under their head. Roll another towel around the neck. Place a waterproof sheet under the patient's head and shoulders, securing the towel and a rubber grip. Create a channel with the sheet leading to a container or basin to collect water. Protect the patient's eyes with a washcloth. Wet the hair and apply shampoo. Scrub, making circular motions to massage the scalp gently with your fingertips.

Tumor Diseases and Cancer

In normal tissues, cells divide to produce new cells that replace those that are old or damaged. These old or damaged cells must die to make room for new ones. When this balance is altered, a tumor appears (a disorganized mass of tissue). Most tumors are benign.

Malignant Tumors: Cancer

A malignant tumor is one whose cells can move from the initial tumor site to build new tumors in other parts of the body. Malignant tumor cells have two key characteristics:

• Invasiveness: The ability to penetrate and spread through adjacent tissues.
• Metastasis: The ability to penetrate into lymphatic and blood vessels, move through the blood and lymph, and settle in any part of the body to form a secondary tumor.

Genetics and Cancer

When the... Continue reading "Common Diseases Explained: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments" »