Disease and s/s

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Hey there. I'm an Student Practical Nurse in training. In my course, as I'm sure in others, it is required for us to know some of the common diseases and the s/s associated with it. Now, in testing, I can identity the disease and the s/s; but for some reason, when I am asked later on about a disease, I can't remeber it's s/s. How do you guys learn and retain the information for all the diseases? (it sure is a lot!) thank you. :):):nurse:

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Specializes in rehab, ortho, cardiac.

one thing that is really great about nursing and medicine is that almost everything that you encounter makes sense. one way that i learned to know the s/s is to also know the cause of the disease.

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Specializes in IM/Critical Care/Cardiology.

try by association: use anatomy. Which area does the disease effect?

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Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

This is where your anatomy and physiology should serve you. Instead of trying to memorize specific S/S of specific diseases, understanding the system the disease affects and how it affects that system will make the S/S just seem logical.

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thank you to all who replied me so far. I really appreciate it. So it's take a common diease.... umm... how about an UTI? Would it's s/s/ include: burning on urination, itiching, swelling or redness in the vaginial area, difficilty urinating, increase WBS's and olguria? Please tell me if this is good. Also note if I missed any. thank you.

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Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

I usually think of polyuria instead of oliguria when it comes to UTI.

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This is where your anatomy and physiology should serve you. Instead of trying to memorize specific S/S of specific diseases, understanding the system the disease affects and how it affects that system will make the S/S just seem logical.

I agree with your comments.

I see the same connection with pharm

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I usually think of polyuria instead of oliguria when it comes to UTI.

thank you for the correction. :)

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Specializes in LTC.

If your working in a LTC facility, Some older adults are unable to tell you that they are exp. burning upon urination. And some of the other textbook s/s. A big one for me is increased confusion. Once you get out in the nursing field and know your pt's, youll learn alot more. Good luck in school........btw....great advice on actually understanding the disease rather than memorizing s/s. :up:

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If your working in a LTC facility, Some older adults are unable to tell you that they are exp. burning upon urination. And some of the other textbook s/s. A big one for me is increased confusion. Once you get out in the nursing field and know your pt's, youll learn alot more. Good luck in school........btw....great advice on actually understanding the disease rather than memorizing s/s. :up:

thank you NURSEPEACE. I have a question though. Why would a UTI cause confusion among the older adults? Does this symptom also appear in younger adults as well?

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I usually think of polyuria instead of oliguria when it comes to UTI.

wouldn't it be both? frequency but little amounts coming out...

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Specializes in LTC.

:idea:You know Im not sure why it causes a change in behavior in older adults. Thats a great question. I looked it up and cant really find anything, just that it causes confusion not why. Hmmmm....Ill keep searching or ask at work tomm. If you hear anything let me know!!

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