Pathology I & II BSN 2nd Year Syllabus

Pathology I & II BSN 2nd Year Syllabus and Course Outline

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Pathology I & II BSN 2nd Year Syllabus: Course Description

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

Course Objectives

Upon completion of Year II, learners will be able to:

  1. Discuss the environmental factors that contribute to changes in normal physiological processes of the human body.
  2. Relate normal physiology to altered physiological mechanisms in disease processes.
  3. Integrate knowledge of basic principles of pathophysiology in caring for patients in hospital and community environments.
  4. Apply knowledge and principles learned through laboratory work in their nursing practice.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

  • Pre-reading
  • Lectures
  • Lab work
  • Group discussions
  • Quizzes
  • Guest lectures
  • Case-based learning
  • Field visits
  • Self-study
  • Pre/post tests

Evaluation Criteria

  • Tests: 40%
  • Group Presentation: 15%
  • Lab Performance: 15%
  • Final Exam: 30%
  • Total: 100%

Pathology I

Topics

UNIT I: Introduction to Pathophysiology

  • Pathology and Pathophysiology: Differentiate between pathophysiology and other biomedical sciences.
  • Basic Concepts of Disease: Discuss the development of disease and its components:
    • Prevalence
    • Etiology
    • Pathogenesis
    • Clinical Manifestation

UNIT II: Mechanism of Infection & Inflammation

  • Stages of Infectious Disease: Describe the progression of infectious diseases after pathogen entry.
  • Systemic Manifestations: List systemic manifestations of infectious diseases and discuss the purpose of inflammation.
  • Cardinal Signs of Inflammation: Describe the physiological mechanisms involved in producing the five cardinal signs.
  • Inflammatory Response: Differentiate between hemodynamic and cellular phases and between chronic and acute inflammation.

UNIT III: Cellular Adaptation & Aberrant Cell Growth

  • Cellular Changes: Discuss general changes in cell structure and function due to normal adaptive processes.
  • Types of Cellular Changes: Describe atrophy, hypertrophy, hyperplasia, metaplasia, and dysplasia.
  • Neoplastic Growth: Differentiate between neoplastic growth and normal adaptive changes; contrast malignant and benign tumors.
  • Cancer Staging: Discuss tumor, nodes, metastasis (TNM) classification.
  • Carcinogenesis: Explain the roles of proto-oncogenes and anti-oncogenes in cancer development.
  • Characteristics of Cancer Cells: List the characteristics of cancer cells and discuss predisposing factors for aberrant cell growth.

UNIT IV: Trauma & Cell Injury

  • Trauma: Discuss trauma and the process of cell injury.
  • Reversible vs. Irreversible Injury: Explain the distinctions between reversible and irreversible cell injury.
  • Mechanisms of Cell Injury: Discuss hypoxic, free radical, chemical, physical, and nutritional injuries.
  • Cell Death: Describe mechanisms and types of necrosis.

UNIT V: Homeostasis Imbalances

A. Fluid Electrolyte Imbalance

  • Physiological Mechanisms: Review the movement of fluid and electrolytes in body compartments (ICF, ECF).
  • Starling’s Hypothesis: Discuss how fluid moves across the capillary wall.
  • Classification of Fluid Electrolyte Imbalance:
    • Isotonic imbalance
    • Osmotic imbalance
    • Compositional imbalance
  • Causes and Manifestations: Discuss hypovolemia, hypervolemia, hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia.

B. Acid Base Imbalance

  • Regulation Mechanisms: Review buffers, renal, and respiratory mechanisms for acid-base balance.
  • Classification of Acid Base Imbalance: Discuss respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis.
  • Interpreting ABGs: Discuss how to interpret arterial blood gases and identify types of acid-base imbalances.

UNIT VI: Immunological Disorders

  • Immune Response Concepts: Review humoral vs. cell-mediated immunity, antigen processing, presentation, and recognition.
  • Hypersensitivity Disorders: Discuss immediate and delayed hypersensitivity, including AIDS and various hypersensitivity reactions.
  • Epidemiology and Pathogenesis: Examine the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of HIV infection, and discuss the pathophysiology of different hypersensitivity types (I-IV).

Pathophysiology II

Course Description

This course builds on the concepts and knowledge regarding endocrine and neurological disorders and their impact on functional body status. It examines the body’s responses that participate in disease manifestation. The relevance of knowledge, skills, and attitudes for nurses in problem-solving across various environments is emphasized.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Describe the environmental factors contributing to changes in physiological processes.
  2. Discuss the relationship between normal body function and altered physiological mechanisms in disease processes.
  3. Integrate knowledge of basic principles of pathophysiology in both hospital and community environments.

Teaching/Learning Strategies

  • Pre-reading
  • Lectures
  • Lab work
  • Group discussions
  • Quizzes
  • Guest lectures
  • Case-based learning
  • Field visits
  • Self-study
  • Pre/post tests

Evaluation Criteria

  • Tests: 40%
  • Lab Performance: 15%
  • Group Presentation: 15%
  • Final Exam: 30%
  • Total: 100%

Pathophysiology II Topics

UNIT I: Genetic Disorders

  • Genetic vs. Congenital Disorders: Differentiate between genetic and congenital disorders.
  • Terminology: Define key terms: trisomy, monosomy, polysomy.
  • Chromosomal Defects: Discuss chromosomal defects, especially aneuploidy, and describe the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of:
    • Down’s syndrome
    • Turner’s syndrome
    • Klinefelter syndrome

UNIT II: Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders

  • Hypothalamic-Pituitary Control: Review the hypothalamic-pituitary control mechanism of hormone secretion.
  • Hypo vs. Hyper Function: Differentiate between hypo- and hyperfunction of endocrine glands.

A. Disorders of Growth Hormone

  • Functions of Growth Hormone: Discuss growth hormone functions and disorders such as gigantism, acromegaly, and dwarfism.

B. Disorders of the Endocrine Pancreas (Diabetes Mellitus)

  • Anatomy & Physiology: Review the anatomy and physiology of the endocrine pancreas.
  • Classification: Discuss the classification of diabetes mellitus.
  • Type 1 vs. Type 2 DM: Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, identifying the main differences.
  • Complications: Identify pathogenesis and manifestations of both acute and chronic complications of diabetes mellitus.

C. Disorders of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

  • Thyroid and Parathyroid Physiology: Review the anatomy and physiology of these glands.
  • Disorders: Discuss disorders such as hypothyroidism, goiter, cretinism, myxedema, hyperthyroidism, and Grave’s disease.
  • Parathyroid Hormone: Explain the mechanism of action of parathyroid hormone and the effects of hypo- and hyperparathyroidism on body systems.

D. Disorders of the Adrenal Gland

  • Adrenal Physiology: Review the anatomy and physiology of the adrenal gland.
  • Functions and Disorders: Discuss functions of adrenal cortex hormones and conditions like Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease.

UNIT III: Disorders of the Neurological System

A. Pain

  • Somatosensory Pathway: Review the concept of the somatosensory pathway and nociceptors’ function.
  • Analgesic Mechanisms: Describe the endogenous analgesic mechanisms and pain relief methods (heat, cold, TENS).

B. Neurological Function Disorders

  • Cerebral Circulation: Review major vessels in cerebral circulation and the blood-brain barrier.
  • Stroke: Explain the degeneration of nervous tissue and factors leading to cerebral blood flow alteration, including stroke types and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs).

UNIT IV: Disorders of Special Senses (Eye & Ear)

  • A&P of Eye & Ear: Review anatomy and physiology and discuss common visual and auditory dysfunctions like glaucoma, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

UNIT V: Cardiomuscular System

A. Cardiovascular Disorders

  • Cardiac Metabolism: Review structures supporting cardiac metabolism, including coronary circulation and heart action.
  • Obstruction Mechanisms: Explain mechanisms of blood vessel obstruction in atherosclerosis and factors affecting cardiac performance, relating to Frank-Starling and Laplace’s laws.
  • Ischemic Heart Disease: Discuss pathophysiological changes in patients with ischemic heart disease, including myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction.

UNIT VI: Alteration in Musculoskeletal Support and Movement (Trauma & Injury)

  • Musculoskeletal System: Review the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system.

Books References

  1. Porth, C. M. (2000). Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States (New ed.). Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott.
  2. Huether, S. E. (2000). Understanding Pathophysiology. New York: Mosby.
  3. Tortora, G. J., & Anagnostakos, N. P. (2000). Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. New York: Harper & Row.
  4. Wilson, S. A. P., & M. L. (1997). Clinical Concepts of Disease Processes (5th ed.). Mosby.

This comprehensive curriculum provides nursing students with a thorough understanding of pathophysiological processes that are essential for effective patient care. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application, students are prepared to address the complexities of health alterations and their implications in various clinical settings.

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