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Discussion

Pathophysiology

Hi everyone,

I'm finishing up my last 2 prereqs for my ABSN program starting this fall. I'm really excited for it, and also pretty nervous. I took my A&P courses a few months ago and LOVED them. I did really well in them. However, now I'm taking pathophysiology and I'm struggling a bit. I don't have a bad grade (pulling a B+ at the moment), but it feels so much more challenging compared to my other classes. My classes are completely online, so no lectures, and the prof. doesn't give any direction as to what concepts to focus on. I'm taking microbio as well, and it seems so easy compared to patho. The problem isn't that I don't find patho interesting--I love learning about it--but the exam questions seem SO much harder than any other class I've taken. We have to complete some practice NCLEX questions each week (which don't really count for anything), and they seem easier in comparison.

Anyway, my question is, did anyone else find patho challenging but still do well in nursing school? The class is only 8 weeks and I'm having trouble absorbing all the information this quickly. I'm starting to get nervous with how I'll handle all the other classes when I actually start the program. 

Thanks in advance!! ?

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    • Featured Replies

    Hello! In my program, patho is sort of integrated with our nursing coursework; the only pre-reqs were A&P and micro. That being said, I've never taken a "pathophysiology" class. But when learning that type of content, I find that drilling practice questions of all varieties is invaluable when it comes to retaining information. I also put on nursing/patho videos to listen to while driving, as if they're podcasts--I find this to be a good utilization of time and a way of studying that isn't as mentally taxing as trying to absorb a textbook. Can you give us more info on what specifically is challenging? As in, question format, relevance (lack thereof) to the material you're studying, etc. Or perhaps specific topics/areas?

    The nice thing is (at least in my experience): a lot of nursing programs have  more structure than "basic" or "core" classes. I have found the syllabi to be heavily detailed, so you know what to expect, and a lot of schools offer tons of supplemental instruction resources. If I were you, I'd look into these in advance if you're feeling apprehensive about your performance in nursing courses. Having a good gauge on available resources will help you put together a plan for success ?

    Online classes are a pain, especially when the professor is hands-off. We all relate to what you're going through; you're not alone! Best of luck to you!

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    • Experts

    I’ve said this a zillion times: nursing school isn’t like other majors where you take the course, pass the exam, sell the book, and never look back. Pathophysiology is probably one of the most important courses in nursing school, whether integrated into physiology I and II or as a stand-alone. You will be held accountable for the contents at higher and higher levels of application and assessment throughout school, and continuing to increase it throughout your whole patient care work experience. 
    Of course it’s harder than your other courses. It has to be. 
    Suggestion: this is not a joke, but a genuine excellent study adjunct for any physiology/pathology class. “The Physiology Coloring Book.” At your favorite online booksellers. 

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    I don't know if it was hard or not, but I didn't struggle in pathophysiology. I loved it. I find it easier to understand the pathophysiology if I review the physiology at chemical and cellular levels, and of course, the anatomy of the organism I'm studying.

    Nursing classes are quite different, but you will still use your knowledge in Microbiology, anatomy, and physiology, including your social science, humanities, and beyond.  I'd say that you should learn your pharmacology. Know your drug class in the organ system.

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    • Author
    On 5/24/2021 at 7:10 PM, Shan said:

    Hello! In my program, patho is sort of integrated with our nursing coursework; the only pre-reqs were A&P and micro. That being said, I've never taken a "pathophysiology" class. But when learning that type of content, I find that drilling practice questions of all varieties is invaluable when it comes to retaining information. I also put on nursing/patho videos to listen to while driving, as if they're podcasts--I find this to be a good utilization of time and a way of studying that isn't as mentally taxing as trying to absorb a textbook. Can you give us more info on what specifically is challenging? As in, question format, relevance (lack thereof) to the material you're studying, etc. Or perhaps specific topics/areas?

    The nice thing is (at least in my experience): a lot of nursing programs have  more structure than "basic" or "core" classes. I have found the syllabi to be heavily detailed, so you know what to expect, and a lot of schools offer tons of supplemental instruction resources. If I were you, I'd look into these in advance if you're feeling apprehensive about your performance in nursing courses. Having a good gauge on available resources will help you put together a plan for success ?

    Online classes are a pain, especially when the professor is hands-off. We all relate to what you're going through; you're not alone! Best of luck to you!

    Thank you so much! I've gotten more into the swing of things and found more of a study groove for this course. ? Good luck to you as well!!

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    • Experts

    Let us know how you're doing! 

    And for you and any other students feeling a little adrift with pathophys concepts please, please feel free to start threads on anything you find confusing/not well-taught so we can help. There are a lot of people here who love teaching these concepts and do it well.

    Things most commonly asked are acid/base balance and blood gas analysis, congestive heart failure, renal diseases, chest tubes, and diabetes. This is because, as I used to tell my students, it's always possible to have more than one thing wrong with you, and sick people often have one of these problems in addition to whatever else they're in for. The best question to ask is "Why do we care?" about (whatever)...and there's almost always a good, clean, understandable answer.

     

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    • Author

    Hi! I am in my finals week of the course right now, and I think I've improved significantly in my critical thinking skills and figuring out a study strategy. One big challenge for me this course was figuring out what concepts were important for me to study. We did not get any instruction or direction from our professor, we were only told to read the textbook. Well, obviously the textbook has a LOT of information, and we went over several chapters per week, so many of us struggled with the first exam. Since then, I've invested in a review book and joined a study group, both of which have helped. 

    I will certainly be utilizing this site when I start my program this fall. I am nervous but I know I can do it! Thank you all very much for your help! 

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    • Guides
    On 6/22/2021 at 12:08 PM, Potato13 said:

    One big challenge for me this course was figuring out what concepts were important for me to study. We did not get any instruction or direction from our professor, we were only told to read the textbook. Well, obviously the textbook has a LOT of information, and we went over several chapters per week, so many of us struggled with the first exam.

    I did "teach" online patho for a while, and this was my frustration as well; there was so much information that I thought it was ridiculous to expect students to teach themselves just from the book.  I actually withdrew from the class in favor of the 2nd instructor who came after me, (when the school had enough students for 2 sections) (she did it better than I thought I was doing).  I am back in the classroom teaching something else now.

    The basic concepts (little late now as you are almost done ? ); are what Hannabannana said above; get to the cellular level, the electrolytes K+/Na+ gates, ABGs.  Look at how each system interacts with others, how does kidney disease affect the heart, which then gets to the lungs.... how the liver can make both cardiovascular and mental functioning go haywire.  Every new disease, think about how it affects each major bodily system, and the 1 or 2 unique things, or cluster of things, that make it an individual disease.

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