Tips for Pathophysiology exam!

TheNGTKingRN · Dec 9, 2014

The pathophysiology explains the clinical manifestations & laboratory findings. Always connect them.

For example: Pancreatitis is highly common among alcoholics. This is because the scar tissue that forms due to the alcohol eventually blocks off the ducts that would typically evacuate the pancreatic enzymes that would eventually flow into the small intestine. So these enzymes essentially get stuck in the pancreas, based off basic biology you know that enzymes break down, right? The enzymes begin to autodigest the pancreas causing extreme pain and discomfort as the primary symptom.

TheNGTKingRN · Dec 9, 2014

Another example, diabetics (typically uncontrolled diabetes or undiagnosed diabetes) will first note contact urination/thirst/eating. Otherwise known as polyuria, polydypsia, and polyphagia respectively. This is because the blood is in a hyperosmolar state (because of all the sugaaaa) and the kidneys react by diuresing. The thirst comes from the hyperosmolar state and the excessive urination.

The hunger is because none of the glucose being taken in orally is being taken in intracellularly and thus the body is still like: "omg I need energy ... feed me".

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2014

Good day:

In addition to the very well done tips, maintaining a schedule of reading, testing yourself after you do your reading/studying helps a lot. I also found trying to find and do NCLEX style questions concerning the sections you are covering to be very helpful.

Thank you.