Pathophysiology and Nursing Management
pathophysiology is the study of how diseases affect different systems within the body and the functional changes and health consequences that result from it. Understanding the pathophysiological processes of different diseases is crucial for nursing students. It creates a strong foundation that helps them understand health and how different illnesses are caused and their impact on the body. For a nurse to work effectively and provide quality patient care, he or she must have in-depth knowledge in the discipline of pathophysiology.
How do Nurses employ Pathophysiology in practice?
Some of the primary duties and responsibilities that a nurse is expected to perform during practice include ordering diagnosing tests, managing patient’s medication, and patient education. All these duties demand a solid foundation in pathophysiology.
One way that nurses utilize pathophysiology is by diagnosing illnesses. When a patient checks into the hospital, a nurse will use pathophysiology to diagnose, understand the disease process and progression. By doing so, the nurse can know what is happening, the causes, and identify the most appropriate course of action, including treatment options to implement. Also, by identifying the next course of an illness, the nurse is confident about providing the patient with the type of care they need.
Another reason why nurses need pathophysiological knowledge is in identifying signs and symptoms of the patient in the course of recovery. This way, the nurse can whether a treatment option is working or whether to consider another alternative. A nurse who can effectively recognize the pathophysiological signs and symptoms of a disease is more likely to extend quality and informed health care.
Additionally, nurses are also actively involved in caring for terminally ill patients. Like other patients, pathophysiology knowledge comes in handy when caring for patients nearing the end of life. A nurse must be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with patients in their final days. This will help the nurse provide personalized care to each patient to improve the quality of life during this period.
However, pathophysiology as a course can be quite challenging for nursing students. It is not just about knowing what pathophysiology is but learning the pathophysiological processes of each illness in detail. Even then, a nurse must get adequate exposure to different patients because similar diseases do not always manifest in the same ways. Two patients suffering from the same illness can display inconsistent symptoms. Thus, insufficient exposure may often result in the wrong and sometimes missed diagnoses.
References
Johnson, Cynae A., et al. “Cervical cancer: an overview of pathophysiology and management.” Seminars in oncology nursing. Vol. 35. No. 2. WB Saunders, 2019.
Passarello, Kelly, Shiney Kurian, and Valerie Villanueva. “Endometrial cancer: an overview of pathophysiology, management, and care.” Seminars in oncology nursing. Vol. 35. No. 2. WB Saunders, 2019.

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