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

Emerging Diseases Defined

An emerging disease is a disease that appears at specific times and places and has become a new epidemic. Examples include:

• Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS): A disease affecting humans infected by HIV.
• Bird Flu (Avian Influenza): A disease caused by a virus primarily affecting birds, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected birds or their environment.
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): A form of pneumonia that first appeared in 2002 in China and subsequently spread to other countries.

Re-emerging Diseases Explained

Re-emerging diseases are infectious diseases from the past that had been significantly reduced but have re-emerged, often with increased incidence or geographic spread.... Continue reading "Key Health Concepts: Diseases, Diagnostics, and Wellness Strategies" »

Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Diseases

The objective of aims involved in the second link in the chain is to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

Isolation

Isolation consists of separating the source of infection in places and conditions that prevent direct or indirect diffusion of the agent by preventing their passage into the healthy or ill, susceptible patients, to interpose barriers to prevent clubs.

Purpose of Isolation

• Separating contagious people so they do not pass the disease to healthy people. (Common barrier or barrier isolation technique)
• Separating patients that have diminished defenses to protect them from the possibility of acquiring a communicable disease. (Reverse, protective, or barrier isolation technique)

The Miracle of Fetal Development

The journey from conception to birth is an extraordinary process of growth and transformation. The developing fetus recognizes various actions and sensations, including dreaming.

Conception and Early Stages

• Fertilization: Sperm possess a unique 'smell' that guides them to the egg. The fusion of the sperm and egg nuclei marks fertilization.
• Implantation: The fertilized egg then travels to the mother's uterus and implants in the placenta.
• Trimesters: Pregnancy is typically divided into three trimesters, each marking significant developmental phases.

First Trimester: Foundations of Life

Week 2-3: Initial Transformations

• 15 Days Post-Implantation: Around 15 days after implantation, the embryo undergoes a significant transformation,

Effective Secretion Removal Techniques

Our bodies naturally produce fluid secretions in minimal quantities that usually don't obstruct the airway. The cough reflex typically eliminates any excess. However, sometimes we are unable to remove secretions due to excessive production or thickening, or an inability to cough effectively. This can occur in pathologies such as chronic respiratory conditions, in immobilized patients, postoperative patients, and patients with neuromuscular problems.

Measures to Eliminate Secretions

Hydration

Adequate hydration helps to make secretions more fluid, facilitating their expulsion.

Chest Physiotherapy

Chest physiotherapy involves various procedures, including:

• Breathing Exercises: Perform breathing exercises several

Fundamentals of Drug Treatment and Pharmacology

What Are Drugs?

Drugs are products used to cure, alleviate, prevent, or diagnose disease. Medicines contain one or more active principles (APIs)—substances that give the drugs their therapeutic properties.

Adverse Reactions and Drug Safety

All medicines can cause Adverse Reactions, which are negative effects of the drugs. In order to market a drug, health authorities must ensure that its benefits significantly outweigh any possible adverse reactions.

Dosing, Efficacy, and Drug Interactions

Each drug has an optimal dose. Increasing the dose does not necessarily increase benefits; however, it often increases the risk of adverse reactions.

There are drugs that interfere with each other if given together.... Continue reading "Pharmacology Basics: Receptors, Dosing, and Drug Marketability" »

Therapeutic Actions of Drugs

• Palliative
• Curative
• Supportive (De sostén)
• Substitutive
• Chemotherapeutic
• Restorative (Repair)

Factors Affecting Drug Action

• Development
• Gender-related factors
• Culture, Ethnicity, Genetics
• Diet

The Five Rights of Medication Administration

Ensuring patient safety requires adherence to the following principles:

1. Right Patient
2. Right Time
3. Right Medicine
4. Right Dose
5. Right Route of Administration

The Four 'I's Rule for Nurses

This rule emphasizes accountability in medication processes:

• I Prepare (Yo preparo)
• I Administer (Yo administro)
• I Record (Yo registro)
• I Respond (Yo respondo)

Drug Administration Routes Classification

• Enteral (Natural)
• Parenteral (Artificial)
• Topical (Natural)

The Role of the Surgical Nurse

Ensuring Patient Safety and Welfare

Intraoperative

Health Challenges and Factors

Challenges:

• Increase spending on health for the whole population.
• Allocate resources efficiently.

"I'll get the health coverage for as many people as possible.

Factors:

• Immovable
• Modifiable

Environment:

• Physical contaminants
• Chemical pollutants
• Biological contaminants
• Social and labor-related pollution

Lifestyle:

• Do regular exercise
• No smoking
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol
• Not using drugs
• Have a healthy diet
• Sexual health

Biological Factors:

• Aging and genetic operators

Health Systems

A health system is the form by which a country organizes and funds health protection and the provision of medical services to its citizens. It is characterized by:

• Universal coverage
• Financing through taxes
• Guaranteeing equal access to resources and services

Pathology

ALFA CHECK

Confirm Bullseye.

BANZAI

Eject Launch.

BOGEY

BRAA

BULLS EYE

CEASE ENGAGEMENT

Break engagement.

CLARA

COMMIT(TED)

Conduct Intercept.

FURBALL

GROUP

3 entities.

HEAVY

3 entities.

ID

IN THE DARK

JUDY

LEAKER

Through defenses.

LEVEL

Angels (altitude).

MIDNIGHT

C2 not available.

NO FACTOR

OPENING

PAINT(S)

Response any IFF.

PICTURE

Tactical situation.

PLAY MATE

Friendly contact.

POPUP

RIDER

Bogey passing safely.

SINGER

RWR SAM.

SKATE

Launch abort.

SKOSH

Missile radar active.

SPADES

Lacking ATO.

SUNRISE

C2 available.

TIGER

Critical fuel.

TRASHED

Rejected.

AIRBORNE ALERT

Aircraft immediate action.

AS FRAGGED

As per ATO.

ASSUME DECK

Position for landing.

BARCAP

BINGO

Proceed to airfield.

BIRD

BIRD(S) AFFIRM H

Bird(s) affirm Hot.

BIRD(S) AWAY H

Bird(s) away Hot.

BOWWAVE

BREAK OFF

Discontinue approach.

BRUISER

BULLDOG

BULLRING

Airfield

Phosphodiesterase III Inhibitors in Heart Failure

These drugs block phosphodiesterase, increasing calcium available for cardiac contraction. This enhances contractility and vasodilation, increasing cardiac output and reducing peripheral resistance.

Side Effects of Sodium Channel Blockers

Common side effects include dizziness, taste disturbance, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and acifenos.

Doxazosin Uses

Doxazosin is used in men to treat symptoms of enlarged prostate, including difficulty urinating, painful urination, frequent urination, and urgency.

Cholestyramine: Special Considerations

It is recommended to separate the administration of cholestyramine and other drugs by 1 to 4 hours. This medication may decrease the absorption of vitamins (A, D,... Continue reading "Pharmacology: Effects, Side Effects, and Considerations" »

Diltiazem Administration and Uses

Diltiazem can be used in all types of angina. Its long-acting formulation is used in hypertension in cases where beta-blockers are contraindicated or ineffective.

Adrenaline's Systemic Effects in Shock

In the initial stages of shock, the body compensates for the loss of blood pressure by increasing sympathetic nervous system activity. This causes vasoconstriction, increased tension, and cardiac contraction.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH) Administration

Special considerations must be taken into account when administering a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH):

• Intravenous Infusion: Monitor for symptoms of heat, pain, or redness at the puncture site.
• Subcutaneous Injection: Monitor for bruising or swelling. Administer