INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

Intro to Health Care 7 Dimensions of Wellness

1. Physical
Basic Terminologies
2. Social
3. Emotional
Health
4. Intellectual
5. Spiritual
- Traditionally, health was 6. Occupational
defined in terms of the 7. Environmental
presence or absence of
disease. Illness
- Many people define & describe
health as the following: - A highly personal state
- Being free from symptoms of - The person’s emotional,
disease and pain as much as intellectual, social,
possible developmental or spiritual
- Being able to be active and to functioning is diminished.
do what they want or must
- Being in good spirits most of 2 major classification of Illness
the time
1. Acute Illness
World Health Organization (WHO) 2. Chronic Illness

“Health is a state of complete physical,

mental, and social well-being, and not Acute Illness A disruption in
functional ability
merely the absence of disease or
usually
infirmity.” characterized by a
rapid onset,
Wellness intense
manifestations,
- Wellness is an active process by and a relatively
short duration.
which an individual progresses
towards maximum potential
Are usually
possible, regardless of current reversible.
state of health.
- Only the person can say if Ex: influenza
he/she is well or not as wellness
Chronic Illness A disruption in
is subjective while health is
functional ability
objective. usually
characterized by a
gradual onset with
lifelong changes

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Health Behavior
that are usually
irreversible.
- The actions that people take to
Chronic illnesses understand their health state,
last a long time, maintain an optimal level of
frequently health, prevent illness and injury
throughout the
and reach their maximum
individual’s life.
physical and mental health
Ex: Arthritis potential.

Risk Factors

- Refers to conditions or a factor

Disease
- An alteration in body functions
resulting in a reduction of
capacities or shortening of the
normal life span.
- A pathologic change in the
structure and function of the
body or mind.
Health Status
that increases the tendency or
probability of a person having a
disease or being ill.
- The presence of risk factors does
not mean that a disease will
develop, but risk factors
increase the chances that the
individual will experience a
particular dysfunction.

- State of health of a person at a

given time.
- Reflected by blood pressure,
respiratory rate, laboratory tests,
etc.

Health Beliefs

- Concepts about health that an

individual believes.
Risk Factors of a Disease
- Ex:
- sleeping with wet hair causes
1. Genetic and Physiological
blindness
Factors
- eating a well-balanced diet
2. Environment
makes a person healthy
3. Age
4. Lifestyle

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Definition of Terms
deals with the
cause, nature,
Morbidity Condition of being treatment &
diseased resultant structural
and functional
Morbidity Rate The proportion of changes of disease.
disease to health in
a community Sign An objective data
or objective
Mortality Condition or evidence of
quality of being physical
subject to death manifestation
made apparent by
Epidemiology Study of patterns special methods of
of health and examination or use
disease, its of senses.
occurrence and
distribution in Symptom Any disorder of
man, for the appearance,
purpose of control sensation or
and prevention of function
disease experienced by the
patient indicative
Susceptibility The degree of of a certain phase
resistance the of disease. It is
potential host has subjective in
against the nature.
pathogen
Syndrome A group of signs &
Etiologic Agent One that possesses symptoms which
the potential for when considered
producing injury or together
disease (e.g. characterize a
Streptococcus) disease

Virulence Relative power or Pathogenesis Method of origin

the degree of and development
pathogenicity of of disease
the invading including
microorganism, sequence of
the ability to processes or
produce poisons events from
that repel or inception to the
destroy development of
phagocytes characteristic
lesion or disease.
Pathology The branch of
medicine which Diagnosis Art or act of

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4. Agent-Host-Environment
determining the
nature of disease, Model
recognition of a - Also called “Ecologic Model”,
diseased state. originated in the community
health work of Leavell & Clark
Prognosis Prediction of
(1965)
course and end of
disease, medical - It is used primarily in predicting
opinion to the illnesses rather than promoting
outcome of wellness.
disease process.

Recovery Implies that a

person has no
observable or
known after effects
from his illness.

Models of Health and

Illness
Because each of the
1. Clinical Model
agent-host-environment factors
- The narrowest interpretation of
constantly interacts with the others,
health.
health is an ever-changing state.
- Health is considered as the
state of not being “sick”.
5. Health-illness Continuum
2. Role Performance Model
- Grids or graduated scales that
- Health is defined in terms of the
can be used to measure a
individual’s ability to fulfill
person’s perceived level of
societal roles, that is to perform
wellness.
his/her work.
- Health & illness or disease can
- People who can fulfill their roles
be viewed as the opposite ends
are healthy even if they have
of a health continuum.
clinical illness.
3. Adaptive Model
A. Dunn’s High Level Wellness
- Health is a creative process;
Grid
Disease is a failure in
- Dunn (1959) described a
adaptation.
health grid in which a
- Aim of treatment: to restore the
health axis and an
ability of the person to adapt,
environmental axis
that is to cope.
intersect.

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B. Travis’ Illness-Wellness
Continuum
- Travis developed an
illness wellness
continuum that ranges
from high-level wellness
to premature death.
It focuses on 3 areas:
The model illustrates 2 arrows
pointing in opposite directions and
joined at a neutral point.
6. Health Belief Model
- People are most likely to take
preventive action if they
perceive the threat of a health
risk to be serious, if they feel
they are personally
susceptible, and if there are
1ST TERM
fewer costs than benefits of
engaging in it
7. Health Promotion Model
- Developed by DR. Nola Pender
- Defines health as a positive,
dynamic state, not merely the
absence of a disease (Pender
1996; Pender et al., 2011).
- Health promotion is behavior
motivated desire to increase
well-being and actualize health
potential (Pender et.al., 2011).
1. Individual characteristics and
experiences
2. Behavior specific knowledge
and affect
3. Behavioral outcomes
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
Definition of Terms
8. Definition of Terms
- Helps understand an individual’s
motivation to achieve optimal
health. This model explains the
basic needs of patient and
families, their behaviors, and
their readiness to take part in
health activities.
- Maslow (1970) expanded his
model to include cognitive,
aesthetic, and transcendence
needs to incorporate needs that
could not be explained by his
original model.
9. Holistic Health Model
- A person’s health is affected by
the relationship between the
body, mind, and spirit.
- The intent is to empower
patients to engage in their own
recovery and assume some
responsibility for health
maintenance (Edelman et al.,
2014).
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Theories of Disease
Causation
1. Germ Theory
- Proposed by Louis Pasteur and
Robert Koch
- Postulates that every human
disease is caused by a microbe
or germ, which is specific for
that disease and one must be
able to isolate the microbe from
the diseased human being.
2. Epidemiologic Triad
- External agent can cause
diseases on a susceptible host
when there is a conducive
environment.
Consists of:
a. Environment
b. Agent
c. Host
3. Web of Causation Theory
- To explain disease and disability
caused by multiple factors,
Macmahon and Pugh (1970)
developed the concept of “chain
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of causation,” later termed the

Experiences wrong
“web of causation.”
- Diseases develop from a chain of Application of folk
causation in which each link medicine,
itself is a result of complex self-medication
interaction of preceding events.
Stage 2: Relinquish normal
Assumption of roles
the Sick Role
Request
provisional
validation for sick
role from lay
persons, continue
lay remedies

Stage 3: Medical Seek professional

4. Natural History of Disease Care Contact advice
- The natural history of a disease Seek authoritative
refers to the progress of a legitimation for
sick role, negotiate
disease process in an
treatment
individual over time. In their procedures
classic model, Leavell and Clark
(1965) described two periods in Stage 4; Accept
the natural history of disease, Dependent Client professional
prepathogenesis and Role treatment
pathogenesis.
Undergo
treatment
procedures for
illness follow
regimen

Stage 5: Recovery Resume normal

or Rehabilitation roles

Resume normal
roles

Levels of Prevention
Stages of Illness
Primary Activities that are
Stage 1: Symptom Something is directed at

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preventing a the earliest stages,

problem before it before the onset of
occurs. This signs and
includes altering
symptoms,
susceptibility or
reducing exposure through measures
for susceptible such as
individuals in the mammography
period of and regular BP
prepathogenesis. testing.
Primary prevention
consists of two Tertiary Managing disease
categories: post diagnosis to
1. General slow or stop
health disease
promotion progression
(e.g., good through measures
nutrition, such as
adequate chemotherapy,
shelter, rest, rehabilitation, and
exercise) screening for
and complications.
2. Specific
protection Involves
(e.g., minimizing the
immunizatio effects of
n, water long-term disease
purification). or disability by
interventions
Secondary Early detection of directed at
and prompt improving their
intervention for a functional ability,
disease or health quality of life and
threat during the life expectancy
period of early
Consists of
pathogenesis.
limitation of
Screening for disability and
disease and rehabilitation
prompt referral during the period
and treatment are of advanced
secondary disease and
convalescence,
prevention.
where the disease
has occurred and
Screening to resulted in a
identify diseases in degree of damage.

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Colonization Presence of
INFECTION CONTROL & PRINCIPLES OF microorganisms in
the body
ASEPSIS secretions or
excretion that does
not cause illness
Definition of Terms
- Chain of Infection
Asepsis absence of
microorganisms 1. Etiologic Agent

Infection invasion of the ● Resides in the reservoir

body by ● Disease causing
pathogenic microorganisms including
microorganisms bacteria, virus, fungi, and
parasites
Disinfection reduction of
2. Reservoir
microorganisms
without destroying ● Person
the spores ● Place where microorganisms
survive, multiply and await
Contaminated soiled with
microorganisms transfer to a susceptible host
● Human beings, animals,
Spores Inactive but viable inanimate objects, plants,
state of general environment, water and
microorganisms
soil
Sterile Free from 3. Portal of Exit from Reservoir
microorganisms
but not spores ● Exits the body to spread/also
way of entry
Pathogenicity Ability to produce ● After microorganisms find a site
disease
to grow and multiply, they need
Opportunistic Pathogen that to find a portal of exit if they are
Pathogen causes disease to enter another host and cause
only to susceptible disease
individuals ● Sputum, emesis, stool, and
blood
Carrier Person or animal
that harbors an
infectious agent
and capable of
transferring it to
other persons.

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
Common Portal of Exit
● Respiratory: droplets, sputum
● Gastrointestinal tract: vomitus,
feces, saliva, drainage tubes
● Urinary: urine, urethral catheters
● Reproductive: semen, vaginal
discharge
● Blood: open wound, needle
puncture site
MRS WEE
Modes of Transmission
● Way of spreading
Contact Transmission
1. Direct Contact
Skin Infections (VCHIPS)
Direct transmission involves
immediate and direct transfer of
microorganisms from person to person
through touching, biting, kissing, or
sexual intercourse.
● Immediate
2. Indirect Contact
Vehicle borne or Vector borne
Contact Transmission Examples
a. Colonization or infection with a
multidrug-resistant organism
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b. Enteric infections such as
Clostridium difficile
c. Respiratory infections, such as
respiratory syncytial virus
d. H1N1 influenza: infection can
occur by touching something
with flu viruses on it then
touching nose or mouth.
e. Wound infections
f. Skin infections, such as
cutaneous diphtheria, herpes
simplex, impetigo, pediculosis,
scabies, staphylococci, and
varicella zoster
g. Eye infection such as
conjunctivitis
Acronyms
M -ultidrug-resistant organism
R - espiratory Infections
S - kin Infections
W - ound Infection
E - nteric infections (clostridium
difficile)
E - ye infection (conjunctivitis)
V - aricella Zoster
C - utaneous diphtheria
H - erpes simplex
I - mpetigo
P - ediculosis
S - cabies
Indirect Transmission
A. Vehicle-borne Transmission
Any substance that serves as an
intermediate means to transport and
introduce an infectious agent into a
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
susceptible host through a suitable
portal of entry. Fomites (inanimate
materials or objects), such as
handkerchiefs, toys, soiled clothes,
cooking or eating utensils, surgical
instruments, or dressings, can act as
vehicles.
● For example, food or water
may become contaminated by
a food handler who carries the
hepatitis A virus. The food is
then ingested by a susceptible
host.
B. Vector-borne Transmission
A vector is an animal or flying or
crawling insect that serves as an
intermediate means of transporting
the infectious agent.
● Transmission may occur by
injecting salivary fluid during
biting or by depositing feces or
other materials on the skin
through the bite wound or a
traumatized skin area.
Vector-borne Transmission
Examples
● Leptospirosis
● Schistosomiasis
● shellfish poisoning
● Filariasis
● dengue
● malaria
Airborne Transmission
● Droplet nuclei or residue or
evaporated sneezles suspended
in the air during coughing or
sneezing particles.
● May involve droplets or dust.
1ST TERM
● Droplet nuclei, the residue of
evaporated droplets emitted by
an infected host such as
someone with tuberculosis, can
remain in the air for long
periods
● Dust particles containing the
infectious agent (e.g., C. difficile,
spores from the soil) can also
become airborne. The material
is transmitted by air currents to
a suitable portal of entry,
usually the respiratory tract of
another person.
Airborne Transmission Examples
a. Measles
b. chickenpox (varicella)
c. disseminated varicella zoster
d. tuberculosis
Acronyms
My Chicken Hez TB
My - Measles
Chicken - Chickenpox/Varicella
Hez - Herpes Zoster/Shingles
TB - tuberculosis
MTV
M -easles
TB - tuberculosis
V - varicella-Chicken
Pox/Herpes-Zoster-Shingles
Droplet Transmission Examples
● Adenovirus
● diphtheria (pharyngeal)
● Epiglottis
● influenza (H1N1)
● Meningitis
● Mumps
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● mycoplasma pneumonia or ● Chronically ill clients,

meningococcal pneumonia ● Clients with trauma or injury
● Parvovirus B19
The Infectious Process
● Pertussis
● Pneumonia ● When the patient acquires an
● Rubella infection, observe for signs and
● Scarlet fever symptoms of infection and take
● Sepsis appropriate actions to prevent
● Streptococcal pharyngitis its spread.
● Infections follow a progressive
Acronym
course.
SPIDERMAN Course of Infection by Stage
S - epsis
Incubation Period
S - carlet fever
S - treptococcal pharyngitis Interval between entrance of pathogen
P - arovirus B19 into body and appearance of first
P - neumonia symptoms
P - ertussis ● (e.g. chickenpox, 14 to 16 days
I - nfluenza after exposure; common cold 1
D - iphtheria (pharyngeal) to 2 days; influenza, 1 to 4 days;
E - piglottis measles, 10 to 12 days; mumps,
R - ubella 16 to 18 days; Ebola 2 to 21 days)
M - umps Prodromal Stage
M - eningitis
Interval from onset of nonspecific signs
M - ycoplasma or meningeal
and symptoms (malaise, low-grade
pneumonia
fever, fatigue) to more specific
An - adenovirus
symptoms.
Portal of Entry to the Susceptible ● (During this time
Host microorganisms grow and
Before a person can become infected, multiply, and patient may be
microorganisms must enter the body capable of spreading disease to
● Mucous membrane others.) For example herpes
● non-intact skin simplex begins with itching and
● HI tract, GU tract tingling at the site before the
● Respiratory tract lesion appears
Illness Stage
Susceptible Host
Interval when a patient manifests signs
Any person who is at risk for infection
and symptoms specific to type of
● Immunosuppressed
infection. For example, strep throat is
children/elderly
manifested by sore throat, pain, and

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 INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
swelling; mumps is manifested by high
fever,
● Parotid and salivary gland
swelling
Interval
When acute symptoms of infections
disappear.
● (length of recovery depends on
severity of infection and
patient’s host resistance; may
take several days to months)
Health Care Associated Infections
● A.k.a nosocomial infections
and/or hospital-acquired
infections
● Acquired in a hospital or other
health-care facility that were not
present or incubating at the
time of a client’s admission
How to Break Chain of Infection
Decrease source of microorganisms
● Wash hands
● Decontaminate surfaces and
equipment
● Avoid contact when contagious
Prevent transmission of
microorganisms
● Wear personal protective
equipment (PPE)
● Follow isolation precautions
Maximize resistance
● Provide/practice good hygiene
● Ensure proper nutrition and
fluid intake
1ST TERM
● Decrease stressors that weaken
immune response
Breaking the Chain of Infection
1. Standard Precautions
● Use of PPE (module)
● Aseptic Techniques (module)
2. Transmission-based Precautions
Are used in addition to standard
precautions for patients with
suspected infection with pathogens
that can be transmitted by airborne
droplet, or contact routes.
● Any of the three types can be
used in combination with the
others.
3. Airborne Precautions
● Use airborne precautions for
patients who have infections
that spread through the air such
as tuberculosis, varicella
(chicken pox), rubeola (measles)
and possible severe acute
syndrome
● Focus on diseases that are
transmitted by smaller droplets,
which remain in the air for
longer periods of time
● This requires a specially
equipped room with a negative
air flow referred to as an
airborne infection isolation
room. Air is not returned to the
inside ventilation system but is
filtered through a
high-efficiency particulate air
(HEPA) filter and exhausted
directly to the outside
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

● All healthcare personnel wear ● The health care worker may

an N95 respirator every time transmit microorganisms from
they enter the room. one patient to another if hand
hygiene is not performed
4. Droplet Precautions
between patients.
● Focus on diseases that are ● Observe contact precautions in
transmitted by large droplets the presence of excessive
(greater than 5 microns) wound drainage, fecal
expelled into the air and by incontinence, or other
being within 3 feet of a patient discharges from the body that
(ex rubella, mumps, diphtheria) suggest an increased potential
● Droplet Precautions require the for extensive environmental
wearing of a surgical mask contamination and risk of
when within 3 feet of the transmission
patient, proper hand hygiene, ● Place patient in a private room
and some dedicated-care if available
equipment ● Wear PPE whenever you enter
● An example is a patient with the room for all interactions that
influenza. may involve contact with the
5. Contact Precautions patient and potentially
contaminated areas in the
● Used for direct and indirect patient’s environment
contact with patients and their
environment.
● Direct contact refers to the care
and handling of contaminated
body fluids.
● Contact precautions require a
gown and gloves.
● An example includes blood or
other body fluids from an
infected patient that enter the
health care worker’s body
through direct contact with
compromised skin or mucous
membranes.
● Indirect contact involves the
transfer of an infectious agent
through a contaminated
intermediate object such as
contaminated instruments or
hands of health care workers.

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
VITAL SIGNS ASSESSMENT
Vital Signs
● Objective measurement of one’s
overall health status
● Provides important information
on the status of the patient
● Blood pressure, pulse,
temperature, respiration,
respiration
● Pain, often called the fifth vital
signs
● Pulse oximetry, the noninvasive
measurement of arterial
oxyhemoglobin saturation of
arterial blood, is also often
included with the measurement
of vital signs.
General Guidelines
1. The Health Care Provider (HCP)
should know the normal values
of vital signs.
2. The HCP in charge of the client
is responsible for assessing vital
signs.
3. Equipment for vital signs taking
should be functioning and
appropriate for the client's age,
size and condition.
4. The HCP should be aware of the
client’s condition, therapies and
medication.
5. The HCP should minimize
environmental factors that can
alter vital signs results.
6. The HCP uses a calm and caring
approach towards the client
when performing vital signs
1ST TERM
7. The HCP is systematic and
organized when measuring vital
signs to ensure accuracy.
8. On the basis of a patient’s
condition, collaborate with
health care providers to decide
the frequency of vital sign
assessment.
9. Use vital sign measurements to
determine indications for
medication administration.
10. Verify and communicate
significant changes in vital
signs,
When to Assess Vital Signs
1. Upon admission and before
discharge of the client
2. At the start of every shift
3. Before, during and after an
invasive procedure
4. Before and after an
intervention, therapy or
treatment
5. Before and after medication
administration
6. Whenever a client’s condition
changes
Assessing Body Temperature
- The balance between the what
produced by the body and the
heat lost from the body
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

2 Types of Body Temperature: 2. Muscle activity

1. Core Temperature
2. Surface Temperature (usually
what you feel when you touch
skin)
3. Thyroxine production
4. Epinephrine, norepinephrine,
and stress response
Factors that Promote Heat Loss

Hypothalamus as Temperature 1. Vaporation (evaporization)

Control Center 2. Radiation
3. Conduction
Hypothalamus - responsible for heat 4. Convection
loss
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
a. Anterior Hypothalamus -
controls heat loss; nerve sensors 1. Age
send out signals that initiate 2. Diurnal variations
sweating, peripheral 3. Environment
vasodilation (dilation of blood 4. Exercise
vessels) and inhibition of heat 5. Hormones
production. 6. Stress
b. Posterior Hypothalamus -
controls heat production: nerve Types of Thermometers
sensors send out signals that
initiate shivering, 1. Electronic Thermometer
vasoconstriction (tightening of
blood vessels) and release of
epinephrine

1. Oral Temperature

2. Ear Temperature

3. Rectal Temperature

4. Axillary Temperature 2. Chemical Thermometer

5. Temporal Artery Temperature

Factors that Promote Heat

Production

1. Basal metabolic rate

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

3. Temporal Thermometer

6. Hecto thermometer

4. Tympanic Thermometer

5. Strip Thermometer

1. Oral route
Advantage:
- Most accessible and convenient
Reflects

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
Disadvantages:
- Confused, irrational and
unconscious clients
- Clients who experience nausea
and vomiting
- Contraindicated after oral and
nasal surgery
Procedures:
1. Ensure that client has not
smoke or ingested hot or cold
foods or liquids for 8 minutes
before measurement and
capable of sealing the lips
around the thermometer
2. Insert the thermometer under
the tongue in the posterior
pocket
3. N one hand, instruct the client to
4. Wasth the thermometer
a. Bulb to stem (before use)
b. Stem to bulb (after use)
2. Rectal route
Advantage:
- Most accurate and reliable
measurement
Disadvantages:
1ST TERM
- May cause ulcerations and rectal
perforations in children and
infants
- Diarrhea, after rectal and/pr
prostatic surgery or injury,
recent myocardial infarction and
post head injury
- May embarrass the client;
requires privacy
- Contraindicated for newborns;
clients with hemorrhoids; or a
fragile rectal mucosa
Client Care Considerations:
1. Draw the curtain and position
the client properly
2. Wash hands and don gloves.
3. Lubricate the tip of the
thermometer
4. Raise the upper buttock with
take a deep breath while
inserting the thermometer into
the anus.
5. Hold the thermometer in place
until it is time of removal; 2
minutes (adult) and 5 minutes
(infant).
6. Never force the the
thermometer if resistance is felt
7. Remove, clean and read the
thermometer.
8. Remove any gel from perianal
area after the removal.
9. Remove and discard your gloves
in an appropriate receptacle;
wash your hands.
(3.5 cm) 1.5 inches = adult
0.5 - 0.9 = child
0.5 inches - infant
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
Disadvantages:
3. Auxiliary Route
Advantages:
- Safest and non-invasive;
accessible
- Can be used for newborns and
uncooperative clients
Disadvantages
- Thermometers must remain in
place for long periods; approx. 8
minutes
- Not as accurate as rectal route
1. Pat dry the axilla if moist.
2. Place the thermometer in the
middle of the axilla and instruct
to position the arms across the
chest.
3. Leave the thermometer for 8-10
minutes
4. Leave the thermometer and
wipe with rotating motion from
stem to bulb.
5. Hold the thermometer at eye
level.
6. Read the temperature.
7. Clean the thermometer with
soap and water 9if mercurial
glas).
8. Use the thermometer for repeat
temperature taking to ensure
accuracy
4. Tympanic Route
Advantages:
- Easily accessible
- Reflects results within seconds
- Unadulterated by eating,
smoking, drinking,
1ST TERM
- Equipment is expensive
- Can be uncomfortable
- Contraindicated for clients
within ear infection and those
who underwent ear surgery
- Earwax may result to
inaccurately low result
Client Care Considerations:
1. Clean the lens under the probe
before use.
2. Straighten the ear canal.
3. Put the prima UP and BACK
9adult).
4. Put the prima DOWN and BACK
(children 3 years and younger)
5. Insert the probe into the ear
canal firmly but gently towards
the tympanic membrane.
6. Push the button to take the
temperature.
7. Remove the device when it
beeps.
8. Eject the probe cover into an
appropriate trash receptacle.
9. J
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

6. Depress and hold the start

button and touch the probe
behind the ear lobe on the soft
area below the mastoid process.
7. Release the button and see the
result.
8. Clean the probe.

6. Skin

- Easily accessible: forehead or

abdomen
- Available in disposable strips

5. Temporal Artery

Advantages:
- Same with tympanic route

Disadvantages:
- Head covering, hair or temporal
area against a pillow or mattress
can cause inaccurately high
results.
- Influenced by perspiration

Client Care Considerations A. Low Body Temperature

1. Determine that site is not 1. Hypothermia

influenced by hair, a hat or lying
on a pillow or mattress
2. Dry the site if there is
perspiration
3. Ensure the device is charges
4. Remove the protective cap &
clean the probe following the
manufacturer’s instructions
5. Place probe with gentle
pressure on the center of the
forehead, halfway between
hairline and eyebrows
- body temperature < 36C
2. Severe hypothermia
- Body temperature < 28C
Clinical indicators:
- Shivering initially decreased
- Irregular pulse
- Decreased respirations
- Hypotension
- Pale, cool skin
- Oliguria
- Reduced muscle coordination

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

- Disorientation
- Decreased level of
consciousness
- WOF: Coma

B. Increased Body Temperature

1. Hyperthermia - temperature >

40.5C
Pulse
a. Heat exhaustion - caused by
● The wave of blood created
excessive environmental heat
and dehydration
Factors
Clinical indicators: weakness, muscle
aches, headache, syncope, N/V, pallor,
1. Age
dizziness, diaphoresis
2. Sex
3. Exercise
b. Heat stroke - caused by exercise
4. Fever
in hot weather
5. Medication
Clinical indicators:
6. Blood volume
7. Stress and hormones
2. Fever (pyrexia, febrile) -
8. Pathological process
temperature 37.8C (orally) or 38.3C
(rectally)
Nine Pulse SItes
1. Temporal
NOTE: Fever up to 38.9C enhances
2. Carotid
immune response, promote
3. Brachial
phagocytosis, hinder reproduction of
4. Apical
pathogens
5. Radial
6. Femoral
a. Hyperpyrexia - temperature of 41
7. Popliteal
C or more
8. ?
Clinical indicators: agitation, confusion,
9. ?
stupor and may progress to coma

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Mental Health Defining Normality

A. Mental Health Normal Behavior

● a state of well-being that involves ● any behavior that is deemed

realization of one’s own potential, socially acceptable to the
ability to cope with the normal standards set by society. In short,
life stressors, productive and if the behavior is socially
fruitful functioning, and ability to acceptable or conforming to the
make a contribution to standards of society, then that
community (WHO, 2014). behavior is normal.

B. Well-Being Criteria for Normality

● defined as a sense of feeling 1. Average

healthy that leads to complete
● what is considered as normal is
awareness of integrity, including
generally accepted by the majority.
spiritual elements of life; it is said to
A problem in this criteria of
be related to one’s level of
normality is that not everything
optimism and resilience (Souri &
accepted by the majority can be
Hasanirad, 2011).
considered as normal.
C. Psychological Disorder
2. Social Conformity
● A dysfunction in psychological
● conformity to the standards of
aspect associated with distressed
society is considered as normal.
or impaired functioning that is
However, problems in this criteria
atypical or not a culturally
include criminality problems and
expected response (Barlow
social standards.
Durand, 2012).
3. Personal Comfort
D. Abnormal Psychology
● Behavior is considered as
● Also referred to as Psychopathology
normal if an individual
(literally: “pathology of the mind”) is
experiences comfort or pleasure.
the study of abnormal behavior.
Likewise, behavior is considered
● It is the application of science in the
as abnormal if an individual
study of mental disorders.
experiences discomfort. The
● The study of cognitive, affective,
problem of objective and
and somatic pain experienced by
subjective symptoms, individual
individuals
reactions to discomfort, and
social consequences are the
problems in this definition.

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE
Other Definitions of Normality
1. Normality is ideal
2. Normality is a process
Criteria for Stating What is Abnormal
Behavior
1. Cultural Relativism
● states that labeling a behavior as
abnormal has no universal
standards or rules as relative or
cultural norms need are needed
to be considered before a
behavior is considered as abnormal.
● Cultural relativist tradition
received rejections but it is
essential to take into consideration
the influence of culture and gender
on how abnormal behavior is
expressed and treated:
a. How people express their
symptoms is affected by their
culture and gender.
b. The willingness of people to
admit certain behaviors is
influenced by culture and
gender.
c. Treatments or interventions
that are considered
acceptable and helpful can
be determined by culture
and gender.
2. Unusualness
● abnormal behaviors are those
behaviors that are considered as
unusual or deviant to social
norms. This criteria is related to
cultural relativism since culture
plays a role on how people consider
behavior as usual or unusual.
1ST TERM
3. Distress
● if an individual experiences
distress or discomfort because
of the behavior and wishes to be
rid of the behavior, it is
considered as abnormal.
4. Mental Illness
● behaviors are considered as
abnormal if they are part of a
mental illness.
Four Ds of Abnormal Behavior
1. Dysfunction
● an individual experiences social and
occupational functioning
impairment caused by the
behavior. This entails interference
with the formation and
maintenance of relationships or
holding a job.
2. Distress
● an individual or the people around
him experience distress due to the
abnormal feelings or behaviors.
3. Deviance
● judgment of abnormality results
from deviance or non-conforming
behaviors.
4. Dangerousness
● behaviors and feeling that pose
potential harm to an individual are
seen as abnormal. Example of this
includes excessive aggression and
self-destructive behaviors
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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

Determinants of Psychopathology
Exposure to
A. Biological Determinants of environmental
Behavior stimuli

● Can be a predisposing or Psychological Traumatic life

precipitating factor experiences

B. Psychological Determinants of Learned

Behavior associations
● Can be a predisposing or
Distorted
precipitating factor perceptions
C. Socio-cultural Determinants of
Behavior Faulty ways of
thinking
● Precipitating factor
Sociocultural Disturbances in
intimate
relationships
Predisposing Precipitating
Factors Factors Problems in
extended
a factor or factors a factor or factors relationships
that contributes to that contribute/s to
the susceptibility the development Political or social
or vulnerability of of a pathology by unrest
an individual to a triggering its onset
pathology Discrimination
Immediate Effect toward one’s
Remote Effect – it social group
only affects an
individual when
he/she was
triggered and does Psychological Disorders
not come out at an
early stage A. Anxiety Disorders

1. Separation Anxiety

Biological Genetic ● Excessive, enduring fear in some

inheritance children that harm will come to
them or their parents while they
Medical are apart.
conditions

Brain damage

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

need for sleep, pressured speech,

2. Specific Phobia
flight of ideas, agitation, or
● Unreasonable fear of a particular self-destructive behavior.
object or situation markedly
3. Mixed Features
interferes with daily life functioning.
● a condition in which the
3. Social Anxiety Disorder
individual experiences both elation
● extreme, enduring, irrational fear and depression or anxiety at the
and avoidance of social or same time. Also known as a
performance situations dysphoric manic episode or
4. Panic Disorder mixed manic episode.

● recurrent unexpected panic 4. Hypomanic Episodes

attacks accompanied by concern ● less severe and less disruptive
about future attacks and/or a version of a manic episode that
lifestyle change to avoid future is one of the criteria for several
attacks. mood disorders.
5. Generalized Anxiety Disorder 5. Major Depressive Disorder
● an anxiety disorder which typically ● Mood disorder involving one (single
includes intense, uncontrollable, episode) or more (separated by at
unfocused, chronic, and least two months without
continuous worry that is depression, recurrent) major
distressing and unproductive, depressive episodes)
accompanied by physical
6. Persistent Depressive Disorder
symptoms of tenseness, irritability,
and restlessness. ● a.k.a. dysthymia.
● Mood disorder involving
B. Mood and Depressive Disorders
persistently depressed mood, low
1. Major Depressive Episodes self-esteem, withdrawal,
pessimism, or despair, present for
● Most common and severe at least two years, with no
experience of depression, including absence of symptoms for more
feelings of worthlessness, than two months.
disturbances in bodily activities
such as sleep, loss of interest, 7. Bipolar I Disorder
and inability to experience pleasure, ● Bipolar I Disorder – alternation of
persisting for at least two weeks. major depressive episodes with full
2. Manic Episodes manic episodes.

● Period of abnormally elevated or

irritable mood that may include
inflated self-esteem, decreased

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

(delusion) but no other symptoms

8. Bipolar II Disorder
● alternation of major depressive
episodes with hypomanic episodes
(not full manic episodes).
9. Cyclothymic Disorder
● chronic mood disorder
characterized by alternating mood
elevation and depression levels
that are not as severe as manic or
major depressive episodes.
C. Dissociative Disorders (D3)
1. Dissociative Amnesia
of schizophrenia.
2. Brief Psychotic Disorder
● psychotic disturbance involving
delusions, hallucinations, or
disorganized speech or behavior
but lasting less than one month;
often occurs in reaction to a
stressor.
3. Schizophreniform Disorder
● psychotic disorder involving the
symptoms of schizophrenia but
lasting less than six months.

● a dissociative disorder featuring 4. Schizoaffective Disorder

the inability to recall personal ● psychotic disorder featuring
information, usually of a stressful symptoms of both schizophrenia
or traumatic nature. and major mood disorder.
2. Dissociative Fugue 5. Substance/Medication-Induced
● a type of dissociative amnesia Psychotic Disorder
wherein a person’s ability to recall ● psychosis caused by the
the past is impaired. Common integration of medications,
features include unexpected, psychoactive drugs, or toxins.
sudden travel to a different place
with an assumption of a new
Treatment Modalities
identity.
3. Dissociative Identity Disorder Psychological First Aid (Sphere, 2011 &
IASC 2007)
● formerly known as multiple
personality disorder; this involves ● Psychological first aid (PFA)
coexistence of as many as 100 describes a humane, supportive
personalities or fragments of response to a fellow human being
personality in one body and mind. who is suffering and who may need
support
D. Schizophrenia Spectrum &
● It includes:
Other Psychotic Disorder (D5)
➢ non-intrusive practical
1. Delusional Disorder care and support given to
distressed individuals
● psychotic disorder featuring a ➢ assessment of needs and
persistent belief contrary to reality concerns

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

➢ assisting people address schizophrenia and other disorders

basic needs such as food characterized by impaired reality
and water testing, as evidenced by severely
➢ non-judgmental, disorganized thought, speech, and
empathic listening to behavior (American Psychological
people while not Association).
pressuring them to talk
Lithium
➢ helping people calm and
comforting them ● an element of the alkali metal
➢ assisting people to group whose salts are used in
connect to information, psychopharmacotherapy as mood
services and social stabilizers. Lithium salts were first
supports; used to treat mania in the 1940s,
➢ protecting people from but their toxicity limited
further harm. widespread use. However, after
● An intervention with the aim to do further investigations into their role
the following: in treating bipolar depression and
➢ stabilize (prevent the better appreciation of the
stress from worsening) appropriate dosage, lithium salts
➢ mitigate (de-escalate and entered broader clinical practice
dampen) acute distress in the 1970s (American
➢ facilitate access to Psychological Association).
continued supportive Psychotherapy
care, if necessary.
● is the informed and intentional
Medications application of clinical methods
and interpersonal stances derived
Antidepressant Medications
from established psychological
● any drug administered in the principles to assist people in the
treatment of depression. The modification of behavior,
common mechanism of most cognitions, emotions, and
antidepressants is to increase the personality that the client considers
availability of monoamine desirable (Norcross, 1990 as cited by
neurotransmitters such as Prochaska and Norcross, 2018)
norepinephrine, serotonin, or
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
dopamine, although they do so by
different routes (American ● involves the integration of
Psychological Association). cognitive therapy and behavior
therapy treatment techniques that
Antipsychotic Medications
has an assumption that cognitive,
● any pharmacological agent used to emotional, and behavioral
control the symptoms of

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

variables within an individual are

functionally interrelated
Interpersonal Psychotherapy

● a time-limited form of
psychotherapy positing that
relations with others constitute
the primary force motivating
human behavior. A central feature
of IPT is clarifying the client’s
interpersonal interactions with
significant others, including the
therapist.
Rehabilitation

● a process that involves the use of

constructive activity with the goal
of restoring an individual’s
independence, well-being, and
functioning after experiencing an
injury, disability, or disorder

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INTRO TO HEALTHCARE 1ST TERM

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