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

Toxicological Properties and Exposure

The dose of a poison refers to the quantity absorbed by the body, typically measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). The resulting damage depends on various factors, including human physiology, the contaminant's inherent toxicity, and the rate at which the body absorbs the contaminant. Given the variability of these factors, we define the concept of exposure, represented by the formula E = f(c, t), where 'c' is concentration and 't' is time.

Types of Poisoning

• Acute Intoxication: This leads to a severe deterioration in the body, becoming apparent within a short period. It requires acute exposure to the toxic substance and rapid absorption by the organism.
• Subacute Intoxication: Less severe than acute intoxication,

Pharmaceutical Research and Drug Development

6.1 Development of Medicines: Stages and Trials

The process of developing new medicines is typically divided into two main stages:

Stage 1: Discovery and Preclinical Trials

• This stage involves searching for substances that exhibit therapeutic activity against a disease while possessing minimal toxicity. This process is known as screening.
• Selected substances are subjected to in vitro tests. The most active candidates then undergo tests on animals to assess their response, efficacy, and safety profile.

Stage 2: Clinical Trials and Drug Safety Testing

The primary goal of this stage is to test the safety and efficacy of drugs in human subjects. It is conducted in four standard phases:

1. Phase I: Reviews safety

1. Basic Emotions

• Joy
• Interest
• Excitement
• Surprise
• Sadness
• Anger
• Disgust
• Contempt
• Fear
• Shame
• Guilt

2. Physiological Responses to Emotions

Emotions trigger physical changes such as an accelerated heart rate, muscle tension, stomach tingling, and dry mouth. These responses provide energy by sending more blood sugar to the liver. Increased oxygen demand leads to a higher heart rate. Digestion slows down as blood is redirected to muscles. Pupils dilate to allow more light, and perspiration increases to cool the body.

3. Detecting Emotions and Lies

While it's difficult to detect lies definitively, physiological responses can indicate emotions. Changes in breathing, pulse pressure, blood flow, and perspiration accompany emotional states.

4. Verbal and Non-Verbal

Abrasives: Reduce to Ashes

INS: Burn, burn up, roast, char.

ANT: Cool, freeze, turn off.

Embrace: Surrounding with Arms

INS: Gird, wrap, shake, host.

ANT: Loose, disengage, release.

Stalk: Watching, Waiting with Caution

INS: Monitor, spy, sight, look.

ANT: Disregard, neglect, forget, ignore.

Creep: Placing Snares, Traps

INS: Ambush, conspiracy, betrayal.

ANT: Reality, existence, authenticity, certitude.

Asar: Cook by Fire or Heat

INS: Scorch, sear, roast, steak.

ANT: Freeze, cool, refrigerate.

Azar: Unforeseen Events

INS: Luck, contingency, serendipity, accident.

ANT: Evidence, certainty, event, fact.

Kill: Deliberately Take Someone's Life

INS: Liquidate, remove, clear, stone.

ANT: Rebirth, cure, revive, relieve.

Acecinos: Salted and Smoked Meats

INS: Seasoning,... Continue reading "Words and Definitions: A Vocabulary Deep Dive" »

Hazard Identification and First Aid

Clearly and briefly describe the main dangers, especially key risks to humans or the environment. Detail dangerous health effects, including symptoms related to foreseeable misuse.

First Aid Procedures

Describe first aid measures, clarifying if immediate medical attention is needed. Information should be brief and easy to understand, focusing on symptoms and effects. Include sections based on routes of exposure:

• Inhalation: Indicate if medical attention is required.
• Skin Contact: Indicate if medical attention is required.
• Eye Contact: Indicate if medical attention is required.
• Ingestion: Indicate if medical attention is required.

For some substances or preparations, emphasize the need for special means to provide... Continue reading "Chemical Safety Data Sheet Essentials" »

Essential Vocabulary

Assortment (collection): A group of similar things (with different sizes, colors, etc.).
Bottom line (in brief): The most important factor to consider.
Commit a crime: To do something illegal or bad.
Crave: To beg or plead for.
Disruptive (problematic): Confusing, disturbing.
Drop (down): To go down.
Enrollment (registration): To record or note in a roll or list.
Imbalance (disequilibrium): The lack of balance.
Inmate (internal): A person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital.
Lack (lack of): To be deficient in; to have need of.
Level: A horizontal datum line or plane.
Liable (prone): Susceptible or exposed.
Measure: To determine the size, amount, etc., of something.
Nourishing (nutritional): To provide... Continue reading "Essential English Vocabulary and Idioms" »

Understanding Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a disease characterized by a strong need for consuming ethyl alcohol, leading to physical dependence. This dependence is expressed through specific withdrawal symptoms when intake is not possible. Individuals with alcoholism often lose control over consumption limits and typically develop an increased tolerance to alcohol over time.

The Dangers of Tobacco Smoking

Cigarette smoking is an addiction to tobacco, caused primarily by nicotine, its active component, which conditions continued consumption. Smoking is a chronic systemic disease classified within the group of addictions and is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) by the American Psychiatric Association. It is... Continue reading "Addiction and Dependence: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Substances" »

Inpatient Detoxification Units

Description

The Commissioner for Drugs and Health Services offers the ability to perform detoxification in hospitals, so-called inpatient detoxification units. The UDH is the third level of devices, complementing the set of specialized outpatient and residential care devices. Patients are derived here when their personal situation makes outpatient detoxification risky.

Criteria

• Not meeting the criteria for outpatient detoxification.
• Therapeutic process aimed at abstinence.
• Admission is by way of urgency.
• Initial assessment at an outpatient facility.

Referral of Patients to Therapeutic Communities

Objective

To identify, motivate, and refer patients who have a psychosocial profile and a certain background, requiring a specific... Continue reading "Drug Addiction Treatment Programs: Detox, Rehab, Methadone" »

Understanding Essential Clinical Procedures

This document provides a concise overview of various medical procedures and devices commonly used in patient care, including drains, probes, enemas, and catheterization techniques. It aims to clarify their purposes, indications, and key steps.

Medical Drains and Probes

This section covers various medical drains and probes, detailing their functions and applications in patient care.

1. What Are Medical Drains?

Medical drains are devices used to facilitate the evacuation of organic liquids (septic or aseptic) and air, establishing communication with the outside of the body.

2. Understanding Chest Drains

A chest drain is an aspiration system used to evacuate accumulated liquid or air from the pleural space,... Continue reading "Clinical Procedures: Drains, Probes, Enemas, and Catheterization" »

Acoustic Environment: Managing Workplace Noise

Key Concepts of Workplace Noise

• Noise is a particularly annoying and unpleasant sound that can be harmful to health.
• Sound can be defined as a set of mechanical waves transmitted through a medium.
• Auditory capacity is the processing of sound into nerve signals that are interpreted by the brain.

Characteristics of Sound and Noise

• Frequency: The number of pressure variations of a sound wave per second. It characterizes the tone we perceive. The human ear can typically perceive 20 - 20,000 Hz, but the most common range for speech is 500 - 3,000 Hz.
• Intensity (Sound Pressure Level): The sound pressure capable of being perceived by the human ear. Levels above 120 dB can cause severe pain; prolonged exposure