A good patho book is what you really need. I am currently looking into a new patho book for my class, I really like the lay out of Braun's Pathophysiology: a clinical approach (978-1-60547-304-8). It has case studies, nice pictures, I find it more applicable for nurses. I also use Karch's: Focus on Clinical Pharmacology, i like the lay out, pics, etc... 978-0-7817-8982-0). The key is a very good book, that has good applicability.