Truckee Meadows Community College Libraries

Nursing Assistant Disease and Conditions (MHDD 102) Resources

For MHDD 102

Students will be able to state the signs and symptoms of common conditions/diseases and recognize these in patients. The following is an alphabetical list of common diseases/conditions. Click on the attached links to identify illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention for these diseases and conditions. The attached links are from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health.

Bone fracture repairs | Burns | Choking | Cholesterol | Constipation | Dehydration | Delirium | Dementia | Dental Abnormalities | Diabetes Type 1 | Diabetes Type 2 | Heart Attack | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C | HIV infection | Hyperglycemia | Hypoglycemia | Malnutrition | MRSA infection | Obesity | Seizures or Convulsions | Stroke | Tuberculosis | Viral pneumonia

AIDS back to top

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the final and most serious stage of HIV disease, which causes severe damage to the immune system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS begins when a person with HIV infection has a CD4 cell count below 200. CD4 cells are also called "T-cells" or "helper cells"; they are a type of immune cell. AIDS is also defined by numerous opportunistic infections and cancers that occur in the presence of HIV infection.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000594.htm

Bone fracture repairs back to top

Bone fracture repairs are surgical procedures to realign and stabilize broken bones (fractures) with plates, nails, screws, or pins. Bone grafts may be used to allow for proper healing or to speed the healing process.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002966.htm

Burns back to top

There are three levels of burns:

  • First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain, redness, and swelling.
  • Second-degree (partial thickness) burns affect both the outer and underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
  • Third-degree (full thickness) burns extend into deeper tissues. They cause white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000030.htm

Choking back to top

Choking is when someone can't breathe because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the airway (throat or windpipe).

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000049.htm

Cholesterol back to top

Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found in all parts of the body. This includes the nervous system, skin, muscle, liver, intestines, and heart. It is made by the body and also obtained from animal products in the diet.

Constipation back to top

Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements after more than 3 days. Infants who are still exclusively breastfed may go 7 days without a stool.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003125.htm

Dehydration back to top

Dehydration means your body does not have as much water and fluids as it should. Dehydration can be caused by losing too much fluid, not drinking enough water or fluids, or both. Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000982.htm

Delirium back to top

Delirium is a condition of severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function. It is usually caused by a treatable physical or mental illness.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000740.htm

Dementia back to top

Dementia is a loss of brain function. It is not a single disease. Instead, dementia refers to a group of illnesses that involve memory, behavior, learning, and communicating problems. The problems are progressive, which means they slowly get worse.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000739.htm

Dental Abnormalities back to top

Tooth decay and gum disease are largely caused by plaque, a sticky combination of bacteria and food. Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth within 20 minutes after eating. If this plaque is not removed thoroughly each day, tooth decay will flourish. Over time, plaque will harden into tartar.

Plaque and tartar lead to a number of problems:

  • Cavities — holes that damage the structure of teeth
  • swollen, inflamed, bleeding gums
  • Periodontitis — destruction of the ligaments and bone that support the teeth, often leading to tooth loss
  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Abscesses, pain, inability to use teeth
  • A variety of health problems outside the mouth, from preterm labor to heart disease

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001957.htm

Diabetes Type 1 back to top

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000305.htm

Diabetes: Type 2 back to top

Type 2 diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000313.htm

Heart Attack back to top

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when an area of heart muscle dies or is permanently damaged because of an inadequate supply of oxygen to that area.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000195.htm

Hepatitis A back to top

Hepatitis A is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000278.htm

Hepatitis B back to top

The term "hepatitis" refers to syndromes or diseases causing liver inflammation, including inflammation due to viruses and chronic alcohol abuse. Viruses causing hepatitis include Hepatitis A, B, C, E, and the delta factor. Each virus causes a distinct syndrome, though they share some symptoms and consequences.

Most people who become infected with hepatitis B get rid of the virus within 6 months. A short infection is known as an "acute" case of hepatitis B.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000279.htm

Hepatitis C back to top

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000284.htm

HIV infection back to top

HIV infection is a viral infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that gradually destroys the immune system, resulting in infections that are hard for the body to fight.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000602.htm

Hyperglycemia back to top

Hyperglycemia refers to an abnormally high blood sugar. The blood sugar can be measured either at the bedside or in the lab.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007228.htm

Hypoglycemia back to top

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar, called glucose, is abnormally low. The term insulin shock is used to describe severe hypoglycemia that results in unconsciousness.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000386.htm

Malnutrition back to top

Malnutrition is the condition that occurs when a person's body is not getting enough nutrients. The condition may result from an inadequate or unbalanced diet, digestive difficulties, absorption problems, or other medical conditions.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000404.htm

MRSA infection back to top

MRSA infection is an infection with a strain of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics known as beta-lactams. These antibiotics include methicillin, amoxicillin, and penicillin.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007261.htm

Obesity back to top

Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. There are many ways to determine if a person is obese, but experts believe that a person's body mass index (BMI) is the most accurate measurement of body fat for children and adults.

Adults with a BMI greater than 30 are considered obese. Adults with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. There are exceptions. For example, an athlete may have a higher BMI but not be overweight.

Nearly two-thirds of the United States population is overweight. Anyone more than 100 pounds overweight is considered morbidly obese.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003101.htm

Seizures or Convulsions back to top

Convulsions are when a person's body shakes rapidly and uncontrollably. During convulsions, the person's muscles contract and relax repeatedly.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000021.htm

Stroke back to top

A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack."

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000726.htm

Tuberculosis back to top

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). The lungs are primarily involved, but the infection can spread to other organs.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000077.htm

Viral pneumonia back to top

Viral pneumonia is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the lungs caused by infection with a virus. See also respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza.

See the following link for: illustrations, causes, incidence, risk factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, expectations, complications and prevention: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000073.htm

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