InFlammatory Response
• The inflammatory response is a sequential reaction to cell injury. It neutralizes and
dilutes the inflammatory agent, removes necrotic materials, and establishes an
environment suitable for healing and repair.
• The mechanism of inflammation is basically the same regardless of the injuring
agent. The intensity of the response depends on the extent and severity of injury and on
the reactive capacity of the injured person.
• The inflammatory response can be divided into a vascular response, a cellular
response, formation of exudate, and healing.
o The vascular response results in vasodilation causing hyperemia
(increased blood flow in the area) and increased capillary permeability. These
actions result in redness, heat, and swelling at the site.
o During the cellular response, neutrophils and monocytes move to the inner
surface of the capillaries (margination) and then through the capillary wall
(diapedesis) to the site of injury.
o Exudate consists of fluid and leukocytes that move from the circulation to
the site of injury. The nature and quantity of exudate depend on the type and
severity of the injury and the tissues involved.
• A number of chemical mediators assist in the inflammatory process.
o The complement system is an enzyme cascade consisting of pathways to
mediate inflammation and destroy invading pathogens. Major functions of the
complement system are enhanced phagocytosis, increased vascular permeability,
chemotaxis, and cellular lysis.
o PGs are generally considered proinflammatory and are potent vasodilators
contributing to increased blood flow and edema formation. PGs also perform a
role in sensitizing pain receptors to stimuli that would normally be painless.
• The local response to inflammation includes the manifestations of redness, heat,
pain, swelling, and loss of function.
• Systemic manifestations of inflammation include an increased WBC count with a
shift to the left, malaise, nausea and anorexia, increased pulse and respiratory rate, and
fever.
• The basic types of inflammation are acute, subacute, and chronic.
o In acute inflammation, the healing occurs in 2 to 3 weeks and usually
leaves no residual damage.
o A subacute inflammation has the features of the acute process but lasts
longer.
o Chronic inflammation lasts for weeks, months, or even years.
NURSING AND COLLABORATIVE MANAGEMENT: INFLAMMATION
• The best management of inflammation is the prevention of infection, trauma,
surgery, and contact with potentially harmful agents.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anyiamgeorge19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $11.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.