Studying alone and need help?

[lilhev333, BSN, RN]

I am studying Patho on my own this summer prior to starting NS in September. I was not able to locate a class this summer to take before school and my school doesn't offer Patho specifically. I have an Essentials of Pathophysiology book that looks intimidating.

I know there are thousands of diseases out there and I'm hoping someone can give me some guidance as to the best way to organize and learn this stuff. I have printed out the critical thinking for nursing students sheet for medical diseases provided by Daytonite which should prove beneficial.

Should I just go from cover to cover and one by one and work on a sheet for each one that comes up in each chapter?

Does someone have a list of the most common?

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

pathophysiology: a 2-in-1 reference for nurses is organized by body systems. within each body system they touch on the major diseases. there are certain conditions and diseases that you are going to see patients hospitalized for more than others:

• inflammation (which is the underlying condition for all infections)
  
• sepsis
  
• cancer
  
• heart failure
  
• myocardial infarction
  
• hypertension
  
• pneumonia
  
• the copds (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
  • emphysema
    
  • chronic obstructive asthma
    
  • chronic obstructive bronchitis
    
  • emphysema with chronic bronchitis

  [*]asthma

  [*]pneumothorax/hemothorax

  [*]pulmonary edema

  [*]pulmonary embolism

  [*]seizure disorder

  [*]spinal cord trauma

  [*]stroke

  [*]acute appendicitis

  [*]cholecystitis

  [*]cirrhosis

  [*]crohn's disease

  [*]diverticulitis

  [*]hepatitis

  [*]pancreatitis

  [*]ileus

  [*]fractured bones

  [*]the leukemias

  [*]hiv/aids

  [*]diabetes, type i and type ii

  [*]the major electrolyte imbalances

  • hypo- and hyperkalemia
    
  • hypo-and hypercalcemia
    
  • hypo-and hypernatremia
    
  • hypo- and hypermagnesaemia
    
  • hypo- and hyperchloremia

  [*]acute renal failure

  [*]chronic renal failure

  [*]glomerulonephritis

  [*]renal calculi

  [*]thrombophlebitis

  [*]pressure ulcers/wounds

  [*]surgeries

  • arthroplasties of the hip and knee
    
  • mastectomy
    
  • hysterectomy
    
  • colectomy
    
  • turp (transurethral resection of the prostate)
    
  • prostatectomy
    
  • colostomy

there is a listing of the pathophysiologies that have been discussed on allnurses on this post: https://allnurses.com/forums/2634117-post49.html

emedine articles usually have the pathophysiology listed in them (http://www.emedicine.com/). search by medical specialty or use their search box.

you can also get information (but not much of the pathophysiology) using the links on this thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/medical-disease-information-treatment-procedures-test-reference-websites-258109.html

[lilhev333, BSN, RN]

Thanks so much. :bowingpurWould it be good to work on a flow sheet for those diseases? I'm sure we will review the diseases as we progress through school but I would like to get somewhat of a foundation built now.

I'll utilize the sites you provided, thanks.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

I would definitely work on flow sheets for inflammation, Type II diabetes, pneumonia, emphysema, stroke, cirrhosis, and chronic renal failure. That should keep you busy for a couple of weeks.