Basic Human Anatomy, Physiology and Common Health Conditions
Language of anatomy
The anatomical position is standing erect, feet together, palms facing forward. All directional terms are described from the patient's own body, not from your view. Key pairs: anterior/posterior, superior/inferior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal, superficial/deep, supine (face up) and prone (face down).
Systems the exam expects
- Skeletal: 206 bones; support, protection and blood cell formation.
- Muscular: movement, posture and heat production.
- Respiratory: nose to alveoli; gas exchange; normal adult rate 12-20 per minute.
- Cardiovascular: heart as a four-chambered pump; arteries carry blood away, veins toward.
- Digestive and urinary: absorption, filtration and fluid balance.
- Nervous and endocrine: control and hormones.
- Integumentary: the first barrier against infection.
Common conditions and the care link
Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anaemia, asthma and COPD, pulmonary tuberculosis, diarrhoea with dehydration, fever, osteoarthritis, stroke with hemiplegia and myocardial infarction. Diabetes means daily foot and skin inspection. Stroke means aspiration risk, a weak side, and slow supervised transfers. Tuberculosis means airborne precautions and cough etiquette. Anaemia means breathlessness on exertion, so walk slowly.
Worked example
A 62-year-old with right hemiplegia after a stroke needs a chair transfer. Place the chair on his strong (left) side, stand on his weak (right) side to support the affected limb, and never pull him up by the right arm. Reasoning: the hemiplegic arm cannot bear weight, and pulling can dislocate the shoulder.
Traps that cost marks
- Using the observer's left and right instead of the patient's.
- Calling fever a diagnosis; fever is a sign.
- Confusing arteries with veins, or proximal with distal.
- Forgetting that in stroke the weak side is opposite the brain lesion.