1 Introduction to pathophysiology - McGraw （1介绍病理生理学-麦格劳）.pdf

1 Introduction to pathophysiology INTRODUCTION The body is always striving to maintain an internal equilibrium called homeo- stasis, which is regulated by three regions in the brain and maintained by a number of positive and negative feedback mechanisms. Disease or illness may develop when homeostasis is disrupted. The study of pathophysiology (or patho- biology) considers the changes that happen to normal anatomy and physiology due to illness and disease. Any cellular change or damage can affect the whole body. Injury, malnutri- tion or invasion by pathogens can all disrupt homeostasis. Cells check for such imbalances during the cell cycle and replication and usually adapt successfully in response to such stresses. However, sometimes the cell cycle fails to detect unwanted changes and the resulting mutation may cause disease. In the study of pathophysiology, we usually consider the causes of disease (aetiology), the changes to normal anatomy and physiology (pathophysiology), the signs and symptoms (clinical manifestations) of the disease or illness, along with diagnostic tests and treatments available. This chapter examines changes to homeostasis and how this leads to illness or disease. To assess a patient’s symptoms and be able to plan, deliver and evaluate their care, nurses need to understand how changes to normal anatomy and physiology can lead to the development of illness and disease which can be minor or life-threatening, acute or chronic. Useful resources Nurses! Test Yourself in Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 1 Ross and Wilson Chapters 1, 3 1 QUESTIONS Introduction to pathophysiology TRUE OR FALSE? Are the following statements true or false? 1 The division of somatic cells involves four stages. 2 Duri