Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology – Spring 2023

Before you can successfully become a qualified nurse, you must complete several course assignments. Seven modules are set apart across 11 weeks that you must complete before you can finalize your course in advanced pathophysiology.

Your learning institution provides learning resources. You will use these to complete the assignments given to you. Below is a summary of what to expect in every weekly task.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 1: At a Glance

Cellular Processes and The Genetic Environment Introduction

It’s essential to understand cells, cellular behavior, and their effect on the environment they function in. This is because common biological analogies refer to cells as the building blocks of life. Understanding cells and how they work helps explain how cell activity contributes to healthy well-being. It also shows how malfunctioning or altering cell behavior can lead to health issues.

This week, you get to learn about cellular processes that are prone to alterations. You must also know how they can lead to disease. It would help to examine the genetic environments in which these processes exist. Which effects do these environments have on the conditions?

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Discussion: Alterations in Cellular Processes

Pathology refers to the study of diseases. Several reasons can lead to ailments. However, some, such as Parkinson’s disease and cystic fibrosis, occur due to cell alterations. These alterations make it difficult for cells to function normally.

To properly diagnose and treat a disease, you need to understand the signs and symptoms of the alterations in cellular processes. Understanding this also helps educate patients and makes it easier to navigate their treatment plan. This is possible through the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)

In this assignment, you must evaluate a case study and give more information about the suggested disease. It would be best if you broke down the symptoms presented. Explain all cells involved and how they relate to potential alterations and impacts.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 1

By the end of this assignment, you should explain the following:

  • The Role of Genetics in the suggested disease
  • Reasons why the patient has the specific symptoms described
  • The physiological response presented and why you think it happened
  • Cells involved in the process
  • How another gender or genetic would alter your response
  • Respond to two of your colleagues explaining why you agree or disagree with their assessment on two days. Ensure you include explanations for clarity.

Required Readings

  • McCance, K. L. & Huether, S. E. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children(8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby/Elsevier.
    • Chapter 1: Cellular Biology; Summary Review
    • Chapter 2: Altered Cellular and Tissue Biology: Environmental Agents (pp. 46-61; begin again with Manifestations of Cellular Injury pp. 83-97); Summary Review
    • Chapter 3: The Cellular Environment: Fluids and Electrolytes, Acids, and Bases
    • Chapter 4: Genes and Genetic Diseases (stop at Elements of formal genetics); Summary Review
    • Chapter 5: Genes, Environment-Lifestyle, and Common Diseases (stop at Genetics of common diseases); Summary Review
  • Justiz-Vaillant, A. A., & Zito, P. M. (2019). Immediate hypersensitivity reactionsDownload Immediate hypersensitivity reactions. In StatPearls. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513315/
    Credit Line: Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. (2019, June 18). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513315/. Used with permission of Stat Pearls

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 2: Altered Physiology

Introduction

Often, APRNS are in the spotlight when it comes to supporting and showing compassion to patients diagnosed with all types of diseases. APRNs must also display expertise in guiding patients to understand their diagnoses and treatment plans.

APRNs have to become experts when it comes to their patients. They must have analyzed and mastered their patient’s medical background, characteristics, and other factors that may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment. Some of these characteristics involve ethnicity, race, family history, and lifestyle.

This week, you must analyze the immune system changes and the disease processes.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 2 – Case Study Analysis

Understanding cells and cell behavior is essential to disease diagnosis and treatment. The severity of diseases varies; some can be more severe than others. To effectively analyze a condition, you must possess knowledge of factors beyond cell behavior. Some of the variables that may have a significant impact on disease include,

  • The environment in which the cell processes occur
  • Genes
  • Ethnicity
  • Racial variable
  • Patient characteristics

You must understand the symptoms and signals of the changes in cellular processes. This will help accurately diagnose a disease and develop an effective treatment plan. In this assignment, you will have a case study to analyze and interpret. Explain the symptoms, the cell responsible, the genes, and the implications of these factors on the patient’s health.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 2: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders

This is a two-week module where you will examine critical concepts of cellular processes and the causes that lead to various respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. You will analyze the genetic environment and how it impacts these diseases. You will also evaluate how the factors you mentioned in Assignment Two affect these diseases.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 3: Concepts of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Disorders

Introduction

One of the most powerful systems in the body is the circulatory and respiratory systems. They work closely together, and for this reason, a malfunction or disorder has an impact on both of them. This makes it difficult for the designs to collaborate and ensure the body’s health.

More often than not, hospital visits can be attributed to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and disorders. They are also the leading causes of fatality. The most common of these disorders and illnesses are heart failure and pneumonia. However, various issues may affect the physiological functioning of both or one of these systems.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 3

Understanding the cardiovascular and respiratory systems is essential for disease diagnosis and treatment. This importance is magnified by the fact that these systems work closely together. Various factors and circumstances that affect one of these systems can lead to alterations in the performance of the other.

In this week’s assignment, you will analyze the fundamental concepts of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and disorders. Explore all common diseases and disorders that affect both of these systems. Apply critical terms and concepts that display the pathophysiological nature of these issues to patients.

Once you analyze the case study, identify the elements that may be factored into the diagnosis and explain how they implicate your patient’s health.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 4: Alterations in the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems

Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and disorders can quickly become fatal. They are among the leading causes of hospital visits and admissions. These disorders and diseases are complicated because these systems work so closely together to ensure general body health.

As an APRN, you aim to achieve a similarly close partnership with your patients. You will only achieve this by being compassionate and supporting your patients. It would be best to display your expertise and understanding of diagnoses and treatment plans. This includes understanding your patient’s medical background, race, and ethnicity and how they impact your diagnoses and treatment.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 4

This week you will;

  1. Examine the processes related to respiratory and cardiovascular disorders and diseases
  2. Examine alterations in the subject systems and the resultant disease processes
  3. Analyze your patient’s racial and ethnic variables, which may impact physiological functioning
  4. Evaluate your patient’s characteristics and how they may have altered physiology

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 3: Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Disorders

This one-week module examines fundamental concepts of disorders and diseases that affect gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems. It would be best to analyze all variables, including race, ethnicity, medical background, etc. These variables may have an impact on physiological functioning within these systems.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 5

Introduction

Gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary patients often face life-altering changes, such as a change in diet, and new treatment plans, among others. The patient may have to undergo surgery in some of these treatments.

Gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, pancreatitis, and diverticulitis cause pain and discomfort. This week, you must analyze the fundamental concepts of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders. You must also explore the common disorders in this category and apply key terms and concepts used to communicate the pathophysiological nature of these disorders to patients.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 5 – Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Disorders

This assignment expects you to complete a five-essay type knowledge quiz. This will gauge your understanding of this module’s content. Some of the topics to expect include:

  • Ulcers
  • Pancreatitis
  • Liver failure-acute and chronic
  • Gall bladder disease
  • Jaundice
  • Kidney stones
  • Renal blood flow
  • Gastrointestinal bleed-upper and lower
  • Glomerular filtration rate
  • Hepatitis markers
  • Bilirubin
  • After HP shots
  • Acute kidney injury

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 5: Endocrine Disorders

In this week’s module, you will analyze the fundamental concepts of diseases and disorders that impact endocrine disorders. You will also examine how patient characteristics, racial and ethnic variables, medical background, among others, affect physiological functioning within these systems.

Week 6: Concepts of Endocrine Disorders

Introduction

Endocrine disorders are complex. Therefore, you cannot apply a one-fits-all treatment. Treatment may require custom treatment for individual patients. This is particularly for matters that require an adjustment in hormone levels. You must understand these complications to support individual treatment plans.

This week, you will evaluate alterations in the endocrine system and the resultant disease processes. Consider patient characteristics, ethnic and racial characteristics, and how they impact altered physiology.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 6: Endocrine Disorders

In this assignment, you will complete a 5-essay type knowledge check to gauge your expertise in endocrine disorders. Possible topics you will cover include,

  • Diabetes
  • Adrenal disorders
  • Hyper and hypothyroidism
  • Diabetes insipidus
  • Diabetes ketoacidosis
  • Parathyroidism
  • Checks and balances/negative feedback

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 5: Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders

This is a two-week module that comprises of week seven and eight of this course. You will examine fundamental concepts of diseases and disorders that affect neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Evaluate how patient characteristics, race, and ethnicity impact the physiological functioning of these systems.

Week 7 – Concepts of Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders-Part 1

Introduction

When explaining the human body, most anatomists use the concept of a house. Skeletal, respiratory, and circulatory systems represent a home’s framing structure, ventilation, and piping. These analogies also aim to explain the relationship between these systems and how complications in one of them can directly affect the rest.

Neurological disorders present an array of complications in the nervous system. There are hundreds of diseases that can impact the brain, spine, and the nerves. Some disorders not only affect the nervous system but also have impacts on other areas, especially the musculoskeletal system. Some of these disorders include Parkinson’s disease and strokes.

This week, you will analyze the fundamental concepts of neurological disorders. Examine common disorders that affect these systems and the key terms and concepts that contribute to the pathophysiological nature of these disorders.

Assignment 7 Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders

In this assignment, you will complete a five-essay type quiz to display your knowledge of this module’s content. Possible topics covered include,

  • Stroke
  • Headache
  • Seizure disorders
  • Head injuries
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Transient ischemic attack
  • Osteopenia
  • Gout
  • Fractures
  • Parkinson’s
  • Bursitis
  • Lyme disease
  • Alzheimer’s

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 8: Concepts of Neurological and Musculoskeletal Disorders-Part 2

Introduction

Homeowners know that there is a constant need for maintenance and repair. Some of these repairs are precautionary, while others result from issues that have surfaced over time. Similarly, musculoskeletal disorders can develop over time. Some of these disorders, such as osteoporosis, have precautionary treatment as an option. However, as with home issues, some musculoskeletal disorders can be severe. They can have significant impacts on patients’ lives.

This week you will continue analyzing the concepts that impact neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. How do patient characteristics, race, and ethnicity affect physiological functions?

Case Study Analysis

Understanding neurological and musculoskeletal systems is essential to accurately come up with diagnoses and treatment plans. Effective analysis of how these systems work together and affect each other’s performance requires an understanding beyond these systems. It’s also essential to study all factors that may be responsible for guiding your patient through their treatment plan and diagnosis.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 8

In this assignment, you will examine a case study and analyze all its signs and symptoms. Identify the elements that may have contributed to the diagnosis. Explain how these factors have had implications on the patient.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 6: Psychological Disorders

This is a week nine module whereby you will examine important concepts that impact behavior patterns of psychology that can affect multiple areas in life.

Week 9 Concepts of Psychological Disorders

Introduction

Some risk factors affecting mental disorders include genetics and other pathophysiological disorders. Other factors, such as substance abuse and environmental factors, can also have an impact. However, it’s important to recognize the relationship between biological factors and psychological disorders.

Every psychological disorder poses a different challenge regarding diagnosis and treatment. These challenges range from anxiety to schizophrenia. The presence of psychological disorders can be life-altering. It can also impact the patient’s friends and family.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 9

In this assignment, you should examine essential concepts of psychological disorders, common psychological disorders, and the key terms and concepts that display the pathophysiological nature of these issues to patients.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 7: Women’s and Men’s Health, Infections, and Hematological Disorders

This is a one-week module whereby you will examine essential concepts of diseases and disorders that affect women’s and men’s health. This includes infections ad hematological disorders. You will also evaluate the impact of patient characteristics, race, and ethnicity, on the physiological functioning of these populations.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Week 10 CONCEPTS OF WOMEN’S AND MEN’S HEALTH, INFECTIONS, AND HEMATOLOGIC DISORDERS  

Introduction

The differences between men and women are clearly set out in the literature, cinema and other cultural references. These observations extend beyond obvious traits. They also include behavioral, cultural, and biological differences. These differences can impact pathophysiological processes and health.

Understanding these differences and how they affect pathophysiology can help nurses to communicate with patients of both sexes. APRNs who can share these differences are also better equipped to guide patients through their treatment plans and diagnoses. This is regardless of their gender.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Assignment 10 Case Study Analysis

Understanding the factors surrounding women’s and men’s health is critically important in developing diagnoses and treatment plans. This is because most of these diseases and disorders manifest differently depending on the sex of the patient.

In this assignment, you will examine a case study and analyze its symptoms. You will identify the factors that may have led to these symptoms and how they have impacted the patient.

Walden NURS 6501 Advanced Pathophysiology Module 8: Pediatrics

This is the final module of your course, and it takes one week. You will analyze fundamental concepts and disorders that impact the health of children, infants, and adolescents. You will also examine the concepts of pathophysiology across the lifespan.

Week 11

Pediatric disorders present unique challenges to families, patients, and healthcare providers. Conditions, in this case, are complicated. This is because young patients find it challenging to communicate symptoms. How these diseases and disorders manifest in children is also unique.

As an APRN, you must understand the diseases and disorders on a pediatric level. You must be able to support these patients and be compassionate. Understanding these diseases also equips you with the expertise to guide them through their treatment plans and diagnoses.

Assignment 11

This is the final exam in your advanced pathophysiology course. You must be able to analyze concepts and principles of pathophysiology across a patient’s life span.

Conclusion

After completing all modules in this course and successfully passing all 11 assignments, you have the knowledge required to pursue advanced pathophysiology.

Ensure you compile and submit these assignments by the due date. Failure to do this will result in poor grades.

Required Readings

Credit Line: Anemia at older age: Etiologies, clinical implications and management by Stauder, R., Valent, P., & Theurl, I., in Blood Journal, Vol. 131/Issue 5. Copyright 2019 by American Society of Hematology. Reprinted by permission of American Society of Hematology via the Copyright Clearance Center.

Required Media

  • Module 7 Overview with Dr. Tara Harris

Dr. Tara Harris reviews the structure of Module 7 as well as the expectations for the module. Consider how you will manage your time as you review your media and Learning Resources throughout the module to prepare for your Knowledge Check and your Assignment. (3m)