question about pathophys

[ryantherunner]

I am starting a bsn program this summer and we start off with pathophysiology. I want to absolutely rock the class and get as much as possible out of it. Aside from hours and hours of studying, is there anything i can do either in preparation for the class or while i'm taking the class that will help me get as much as possible out of the class? thanks!

ryan

[Michaelxy]

My suggestion would be to relax and enjoy the time off before class begins. I understand your enthusiasm and this is to be applauded, but who can say what a professor will throw your way?

In the end, I would say, let the curtain fall, see how the drama unfolds and create your student character accordingly once class begins, if that metaphor works. :)

[afrancis]

I'm also going to be starting a bsn program in the fall and i'll be taking pathophys over the summer. I bought a book called "Pathophysiology Made Incredibly Easy" So far its been very helpful at getting me acquanted with the material so that when I'm in class I wont be hearing things for the first time.

[nspetersen]

Get a good medical dictionary to help you with terms you are not familiar with. I bought one during patho and used it a lot, you will need it in nursing school as well.

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

You can't know in advance what your professor is going to stress and what their exams will be like. However, I would suggest: 1) reviewing your A&P so you have a general idea of how each body system works 2) reading, or at least skimming, your pathophys textbook. In nursing classes we tend to focus on the more common conditions/diseases rather than the obscure ones, so read up on things like myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, diabetes, kidney failure etc. Then when you have time you can explore the more rare conditions.

[Music in My Heart]

I would spend a fair amount of time reviewing your basic physiology, particularly in the areas of renal function, electrolytes, pulmonary function, and cardiovascular function.

Personally, I was not too impressed with the "Patho Made Easy" book. Instead, I'd recommend either Ganong's "Review of Medical Physiology" or McPhee's "Pathophysiology of Disease."