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Pathophysiology (Nursing): PATHOPHYSIOLOGY-I

The physiology of abnormal states specifically : the functional changes that accompany a particular syndrome or disease

Course Description

This course provides learners with the opportunities to build on the concepts and knowledge about the altered Physiological mechanisms and their impact on the functional status of the body. It also deals with the responses of the body that participate in manifestation of disease. The usefulness of knowledge, skills and attitudes to the nurse in his/her problem solving in the hospital, school, community or home is the determining factor in the selection and integration of the content.

Course Objectives

On completion of year II, learners will be able to:
  1. Discuss the factors in the environment, which contribute to produce changes in normal physiological processes of human body.
  2. Relate normal physiology with altered physiological mechanisms in disease process.
  3. Integrate the knowledge of the basic principles of Pathophysiology in caring a patient in hospital and community environment.
  4. Apply the knowledge and principles learnt through laboratory work in their nursing practice.
Teaching/Learning Strategies:
Pre-reading, lectures, lab work, group discussion, quiz, guest lectures, case base learning, field visits, self study and pre/post tests, etc.

Unit I

 Introduction to Pathophysiology

In this unit learners will gain an introduction of Pathophysiology, the general concepts of disease and its development. At the end of this unit each learners will be able to:

  1. Define Pathology & Pathophysiology
  2. Differentiate among Pathophysiology and other biomedical sciences
  3. Discuss the basic concepts of disease and its development.
  4. Briefly discuss each of the five components of the disease process:
  5. Prevalence
  • Etiology
  • Pathogenesis
  • Clinical manifestation
  • Outcomes

Unit II

 Mechanism of Infection & Inflammation

In this unit learners will learn the mechanisms of infection and the local tissue response i.e. inflammation used to protect the body against foreign invaders.

At the end of this unit each learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the stages of an infectious disease after the point at which the potential pathogen enters the body.
  2. List the systemic manifestation of infectious diseases
  3. Discuss the purpose of inflammation
  4. Describe the physiological mechanism involved in the production of five cardinal signs of inflammation
  5. Differentiate the hemodynamic and cellular phases of inflammatory response
  6. Differentiate between chronic and acute inflammation

UNIT III

Cellular Adaptation & Aberrant Cell Growth

In this unit learners will gain an understanding of the cellular adaptive changes that permit survival and maintenance of body functions. It will also cover an overview of the relationship between stress and aberrant cell growth in the form of cancer. At the end of this unit each learners will be able to:

  1. Discuss the general changes in cell structure and function that occur as a result of normal adaptive processes.
  2. Describe cellular changes that occur with Atrophy, Hypertrophy, Hyperplasia, Metaplasia and dysplasia and general conditions under which these changes occur.
  3. Differentiate the neoplastic growth from normal adaptive changes
  4. Differentiate between malignant and benign tumors.
  5. Describe the Tumor, Nodes, Metastasis for cancer staging.
  6. Describe the role of Proto oncogene & Anti-oncogene to transform normal cell line to cancer cell lina (Carcinogenesis)
  7. Discuss the predisposing factors of aberrant cell growth.
  8. List the characteristics of cancer cells.

UNIT IV

Trauma & Cell Injury

In this section learners will gain an understanding of the important physiologic and pathophysiologic disruptions, which occurs in a patient suffering from trauma. At the completion of this unit learners will be able:

  1. Discuss trauma
  2. Explain the process of cell injury
  3. Discuss reversible & irreversible cell injury
  4. Describe the mechanisms of cell injury that is;
  • hypoxic
  • free radical
  • chemical
  • physical
  • nutritional
  1. Discuss cell death in terms of:
    • Mechanisms & types of necrosis
    • Mechanism & Significance of apoptosis

PATHOPYHSIOLOGY LAB EVALUATION CRITERIA

Learners will get cumulative 15 % marks at the completion of all the lab sessions.

  1. LAB PERFORMANCE

The evaluation of lab performance will be done on the following basis:-

    • Safe handling of chemicals and apparatus.
    • Observation
    • Interpretation of results.
    • Cleanliness.

UNIT V

Homeostasis Imbalances

In this unit learners will discuss the alteration of fluid volume and electrolytes (excess & deficit). This unit will cover the acid base imbalances with special emphasis on acidosis and alkalosis.

  1. Fluid Electrolyte Imbalance

At the end of this unit each learners will be able to

  1. Review the physiological mechanism responsible for the movement of fluid and electrolyte in the following body compartments.
  • Between Intra Cellular Fluid (ICF) & Extra Cellular Fluid (ECF)
  • Between Intravascular & interstitial.
  1. Discuss the Starling’s Hypothesis to describe the movement of fluid across the capillary wall.
  2. Discuss the classification of fluid electrolyte imbalance in terms of:
  • Isotonic imbalance
  • Osmotic imbalance
  • Compositional imbalance
  1. Discuss the causes manifestation, and pathophysiology of following isotonic imbalance:
  • hypovolemia
  • hypervolemia
  1. Discuss the causes, pathophysiology and clinical manifestation of the osmotic imbalance:
  • hyponateremia
  • hypernateremia
  1. Discuss the causes, pathophysiology and clinical manifestation of compositional imbalance:
  • hypokalemia
  • hyperkalemia
  1. Acid Base Imbalance:

At the end of this unit each learners will be able to

  1. Review the physiological mechanism responsible to regulate acid base balance in the body i.e.
    1. Buffers (phosphate, hemoglobin, carbonate)
    2. Renal mechanism
    3. Respiratory mechanism
    4. Discuss the classification of acid base imbalance in terms of:
  • Respiratory acidosis
  • Respiratory alkalosis
  • Metabolic alkalosis
  1. Discuss how to interpret the arterial blood gases (ABGs) to identify four types of acid base imbalance.
  2. Discuss the causes, pathophysiology and clinical manifestation of
  • Respiratory acidosis & alkalosis.
  • Metabolic acidosis & alkalosis.

UNIT VI

Immunological Disorders:

In this unit the learners will gain an understanding of the mechanisms in which the immune system malfunctions. At the end of this unit each learners will be able to:

       Review the following concepts of immune response

  • Components of immune response
  • Humoral versus cell mediated immunity
  • Antigen processing presentation and recognition
  • Immediate and delayed hypersensitivity
  1. Discuss the disorder of immune response including. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome) & Hypersensitivity (allergies)
  2. Discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis & clinical manifestation of HIV infection.
  3. Discuss the pathophysiology of different types of hypersensitivity (Type I, Type II, Type III & Type IV)