Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This sequel to Pathophysiological Processes I continues to explore pathophysiological processes that contribute to disease states across the lifespan and human responses to those processes. Students will learn to make selected clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes, and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes. The course addresses additional pathophysiological processes not contained in Pathophysiological Processes I.

Prerequisites: NRS 232

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Access and interpret current, reliable information about selected pathophysiological processes.
2. Select and interpret focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of clinical manifestations, developmental considerations, and potential complications of selected pathophysiological processes in clients across the lifespan.
3. Teach persons from diverse populations  across the lifespan regarding selected pathophysiological processes, focusing on:

• explaining how the risk factors relate to specific pathophysiological processes,
• describing selected pathophysiological processes in appropriate terms,
• explaining how the signs and symptoms relate to specific pathophysiological processes,
• explaining which signs and symptoms to report to a health professional, and
• explaining how developmental factors relate to pathophysiology, symptom experience, symptom reporting, and symptom management.

4. Communicate effectively with other health professionals regarding selected pathophysiological processes, focusing on:

• using appropriate technical language,
• clarifying technical details of pathophysiological processes, and
• prioritizing and reporting pertinent information regarding a client’s status.

Intended Outcomes for the course:

1. Access and interpret current, reliable information about selected pathophysiological processes, 

2. Select and interpret focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of clinical manifestations, developmental considerations, and potential complications of selected pathophysiological processes in patients across the lifespan.

3. Teach persons from diverse populations across the lifespan regarding selected pathophysiological processes, focusing on:

• explaining how the risk factors relate to specific pathophysiological processes,
• describing selected pathophysiological processes in appropriate terms,
• explaining how the signs and symptoms relate to specific pathophysiological processes,
• explaining which signs and symptoms to report to a health professional, and
• explaining how developmental factors relate to pathophysiology, symptom experience, symptom reporting, and symptom management.

4. Communicate effectively with other health professionals regarding selected pathophysiological processes, focusing on

• using appropriate technical language,
• clarifying technical details of pathophysiological processes, and
• prioritizing and reporting pertinent information regarding a patient’s status.

Required Readings

Lecture

Project/Papers

Discussion groups

Case studies

Clinical Stories, case review

Group activities & presentations

Summary of literature search in professional database
Written assignments

Presentation/projects rubric

Multiple choice exams

Themes, Concepts & Issues:

Acid-base Imbalances

Endocrine Pathophysiology

Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology

Renal and Bladder Pathophysiology

Neurological Pathophysiology

Neuropsychologic Pathophysiology

Immune and Autoimmune Disorders

Neoplasia Principles

Reproductive Pathophysiology

Musculoskeletal Pathophysiology