Anatomy and Physiology: A Comprehensive Guide to the Human Body
The Service of Admission and Healthcare Facilities
Hospitalization and Home Care
The service of admission regulates patient intake for various healthcare services, including hospitalization, consultations, and ambulatory surgery. Healthcare personnel, particularly nurses, play a crucial role as the primary point of contact for patients and their families.
Hospitalization involves providing medical care to patients within a hospital setting, while home care focuses on delivering nursing care at the patient’s residence, preventing potential nosocomial infections and promoting health and well-being.
Day Hospitals and Medical Care Facilities
Day hospitals offer physical and psychological care to individuals during the day, allowing them to return home at night. This model is particularly beneficial for patients requiring monitoring and psychological support, such as the elderly or those with substance dependencies.
Medical care facilities provide beds and care for patients with chronic or acute conditions, often catering to older individuals who require assistance with daily activities due to physical or cognitive limitations.
Medical Discharge and Voluntary Discharge
Medical discharge occurs when a patient leaves a hospital bed due to cure, death, transfer, or personal choice. A discharge report is provided to the patient or their family upon release.
Voluntary discharge allows individuals to refuse proposed treatment, provided there is no risk to public health or danger of death and the patient possesses the mental capacity to make such a decision.
Patient Records and Nursing Care
Patient History and PAE
Patient history documents all relevant information regarding the patient’s medical journey, including personal data, medical leaves, clinical history, and physical examination findings.
The Nursing Care Plan (PAE) is a method based on the UH nursing care model, focusing on meeting physiological and hygienic safety needs. The PAE consists of five stages:
- Valuation: Identifying patient needs through observation and examination (palpation, hearing).
- Nursing Diagnosis: Determining the patient’s specific needs, which may evolve and change over time.
- Elaboration of Plan of Care: Planning how, where, who, and when care will be provided, with goals and a written document for the nursing staff.
- Execution: Implementing the developed care plan using appropriate techniques and informing the patient about the activities involved.
- Evaluation: Assessing the patient’s progress and the quality of care provided, making adjustments as needed.
Patterns of Behavior When Receiving a Patient
Preparing the room, ensuring cleanliness and orderliness, checking equipment functionality, and reviewing light and doorbell operation are essential steps when receiving a patient.
The Skin: Structure and Function
The skin is the body’s largest organ, consisting of multiple tissue types working together to provide a protective barrier and perform various functions, including sensation, secretion, regulation, growth, and reproduction.
Layers of the Skin
- Epidermis: The outermost layer, lacking blood vessels.
- Dermis: The layer beneath the epidermis, composed of dense connective tissue with fibers, cells, and intercellular substance.
- Hypodermis: The innermost layer, consisting of fat and connective tissue with blood vessels.
Skin Glands and Components
- Sebaceous Glands: Simple glands associated with hair follicles, producing lipids and proteins.
- Plexus: A network of nerves, veins, and lymph vessels.
- Melanin: A pigment produced by melanocytes, responsible for skin color and influenced by sun exposure.
Neonatal Skin Conditions and Assessment
Vernix Caseosa and Acne Neonatorum
Vernix caseosa is a greasy layer covering the skin of newborns, protecting against maceration and aiding in the birth process.
Acne neonatorum is a common skin condition related to hormonal changes, typically lasting 9-10 days.
Apgar Score
The Apgar score is a quick assessment of a newborn’s overall condition, evaluating five signs:
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Skin color
- Muscle tone
- Reflex irritability
Each sign is assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2, with a higher score indicating better health.
The Skeletal System: Bones and Joints
Functions of Bones
Bones serve various essential functions:
- Supporting Role: Providing structural support for the body and maintaining an erect posture.
- Protection: Shielding delicate organs, such as the brain.
- Motor Functions: Acting as levers for muscles to facilitate movement.
- Metabolic Function: Storing calcium, vital for organ function.
- Hematopoietic Function: Producing blood cells in the red bone marrow.
Types of Joints
Joints connect bones and enable movement. There are three main types of joints:
- Amphiarthrosis: Joints with limited movement and no joint cavity.
- Synarthrosis: Immovable joints.
- Diarthrosis: Joints with a wide range of motion.
Bones of the Body
The human skeleton comprises numerous bones, including those of the legs, hands, spine, head, and face. Each bone plays a specific role in supporting and moving the body.
Bone Tissue Composition
Bone tissue consists of cells (osteocytes, osteoblasts), dense intercellular substance (organic collagen fibers and inorganic mineral salts), and blood vessels.
The Muscular System: Head and Neck Muscles
Head Muscles
Several muscles control facial expressions and movements, including the frontalis (wrinkles forehead), nasalis (wrinkles nose), risorius (pulls corners of lips), and buccinator (involved in blowing and whistling).
Neck Muscles
The sternocleidomastoid muscle, extending from the sternum to the temporal bone, is responsible for turning and flexing the head.
Conclusion
Understanding the intricate structure and function of the human body is crucial for appreciating the complexities of health and disease. This comprehensive guide provides a foundation for further exploration into the fascinating world of anatomy and physiology.