Disease Library
Quick-reference clinical profiles for the most commonly tested and clinically encountered diseases in nursing — including signs, symptoms, and nursing priorities.
Note: This reference is for educational purposes only. Always follow current institutional protocols and clinical guidelines in practice.
25 conditions found
Myocardial Infarction (MI)
Also known as: Heart Attack
Irreversible myocardial necrosis due to prolonged ischemia, most commonly from occlusion of a coronary artery by atherosclerotic plaque rupture and thrombus formation.
Stroke / CVA
Also known as: Cerebrovascular Accident, Brain Attack
Sudden loss of neurological function caused by ischemia (87%) or hemorrhage (13%). Ischemic strokes result from thrombus or embolism; hemorrhagic from vessel rupture. Time-critical: 1.9 million neurons die per minute.
Sepsis
Also known as: Septicemia, Systemic Infection
Life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic shock = sepsis + vasopressor requirement + lactate >2 mmol/L despite fluid resuscitation. Mortality increases ~7% per hour of delay.
Pneumonia
Also known as: Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (HAP)
Infection of the lung parenchyma causing consolidation and impaired gas exchange. Bacterial (Streptococcus pneumoniae most common CAP), viral (influenza, COVID-19), or fungal. VAP (ventilator-associated) is a major ICU complication.
Heart Failure (HF)
Also known as: Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)
Inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to meet metabolic demands. HFrEF (EF <40%): systolic dysfunction. HFpEF (EF ≥50%): diastolic dysfunction. Progressive, neurohormonal disorder with high mortality and readmission rates.
Diabetes Mellitus
Also known as: Type 1 DM, Type 2 DM, DM
Metabolic disorder of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism due to insulin deficiency (Type 1) or insulin resistance with relative deficiency (Type 2). Chronic hyperglycemia causes micro- and macrovascular complications.
COPD Exacerbation
Also known as: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema Exacerbation
Acute worsening of COPD symptoms (dyspnea, cough, sputum) beyond normal daily variation. Often triggered by respiratory infection. Characterized by airflow limitation, air trapping, and potentially CO2 retention.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
Also known as: Blood Clot in Lungs
Obstruction of pulmonary vasculature by thrombus (most common), air, fat, or amniotic fluid. Most PE arise from DVT (deep vein thrombosis) in lower extremities. Massive PE can cause rapid cardiovascular collapse.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Also known as: Venous Thromboembolism
Formation of thrombus within the deep veins, most commonly the lower extremities (calf, popliteal, femoral, iliac veins). Virchow's Triad: stasis + hypercoagulability + endothelial injury. PE is the most dangerous complication.
Hypertensive Crisis
Also known as: Hypertensive Emergency, Hypertensive Urgency
Severe elevation of BP (usually SBP >180 and/or DBP >120). Hypertensive urgency: no organ damage. Hypertensive emergency: acute end-organ damage (encephalopathy, MI, stroke, aortic dissection, AKI, eclampsia).
Asthma Attack
Also known as: Bronchospasm, Acute Asthma Exacerbation
Chronic inflammatory airway disease with reversible bronchospasm. Characterized by airway inflammation, mucus production, and bronchoconstriction triggered by allergens, exercise, infections, cold air, or irritants.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Also known as: Acute Renal Failure, ARF
Rapid deterioration of kidney function over hours to days. Three types: Pre-renal (decreased perfusion — most common, 55%), Intrinsic (kidney damage — ATN most common), Post-renal (obstruction). Reversible if caught and treated early.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Also known as: Cystitis, Pyelonephritis, CAUTI
Infection anywhere in the urinary tract. Cystitis: bladder infection (most common). Pyelonephritis: kidney infection (more serious). CAUTI: catheter-associated UTI — leading hospital-acquired infection. E. coli is the most common causative organism.
Appendicitis
Also known as: Acute Appendicitis
Inflammation of the appendix, typically due to obstruction by fecalith or lymphoid hyperplasia. Most common cause of emergent abdominal surgery. Perforation risk increases with time — typically 24–72 hours.
Bowel Obstruction
Also known as: Intestinal Obstruction, SBO (Small Bowel Obstruction)
Blockage of the intestinal lumen preventing normal passage of bowel contents. Mechanical (adhesions — most common, hernia, tumor) or functional (paralytic ileus — no mechanical obstruction). Can progress to strangulation, ischemia, and perforation.
GI Bleed (Upper/Lower)
Also known as: Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage, Upper GI Bleed, Lower GI Bleed
Upper GI bleed (proximal to Treitz ligament): most common causes — peptic ulcer disease, esophageal varices, Mallory-Weiss tear. Lower GI bleed: diverticulosis (most common), AVM, colorectal cancer. Can be life-threatening.
Pancreatitis
Also known as: Acute Pancreatitis, Chronic Pancreatitis
Inflammation of the pancreas due to autodigestion by activated enzymes. Causes: gallstones (50%), alcohol (25%), hypertriglyceridemia, medications, ERCP, idiopathic. Ranges from mild edematous to life-threatening necrotizing pancreatitis.
Hypoglycemia
Also known as: Low Blood Sugar
Blood glucose <70 mg/dL. Causes: excess insulin, delayed/missed meals, increased physical activity, alcohol, medications (sulfonylureas). Can progress to seizures, unconsciousness, and death if untreated.
Thyroid Storm
Also known as: Thyrotoxic Crisis
Life-threatening hypermetabolic state caused by extreme hyperthyroidism. Precipitated by infection, surgery, trauma, or radioactive iodine in uncontrolled hyperthyroid state. High mortality if untreated.
Meningitis
Also known as: Bacterial Meningitis, Viral Meningitis
Inflammation of the meninges (protective membranes of the brain and spinal cord). Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency with mortality up to 30% if untreated. Viral (aseptic) meningitis is less severe, often self-limiting.
Seizure Disorder / Epilepsy
Also known as: Epilepsy, Convulsion, Status Epilepticus
Abnormal, synchronous neuronal discharge causing temporary alteration in behavior, movement, sensation, or consciousness. Status epilepticus = seizure lasting >5 minutes or 2+ seizures without recovery in between — emergency.
Pressure Injury (Pressure Ulcer)
Also known as: Bedsore, Decubitus Ulcer, Pressure Sore
Localized damage to skin and underlying soft tissue, typically over a bony prominence, caused by pressure, friction, shear, or moisture. Largely preventable. Four NPUAP stages plus DTI and unstageable categories.
Anaphylaxis
Also known as: Anaphylactic Shock, Severe Allergic Reaction
Severe, potentially life-threatening systemic allergic reaction mediated by IgE. Most common triggers: medications (penicillin), foods (peanuts, shellfish), insect stings, latex. Can progress to cardiovascular collapse within minutes.
Depression (Major Depressive Disorder)
Also known as: MDD, Clinical Depression
Persistent depressed mood or loss of interest/pleasure (anhedonia) for ≥2 weeks with significant functional impairment. Neurobiological basis involving serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine dysregulation. 7% lifetime prevalence.
Alcohol Withdrawal
Also known as: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Delirium Tremens (DTs)
Neurological hyperactivity from sudden cessation of alcohol in dependent individuals. Symptoms begin 6–24 hours after last drink. Delirium Tremens (DTs): most severe form — confusion, hallucinations, autonomic instability — life-threatening; peak at 72 hours.
