Question

Pathophysiology is the study of alteration from homeostasis or normal health function. Provide three reasons why an understanding of pathophysiology is essential to safe and competent nursing practice?

Answer 1

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY IS THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF ALTERATION IN THE BODY FUNCTION DUE TO ANY INJURY OR DISEASE. THE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY HELPS NURSES UNDERSTAND, APPLY AND DEVELOP APPROPRIATE TREATMENT PLANS IN THEIR PRACTICE. THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY UNDERSTANDING OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY IS IMPORTANT, SOME OF THEM ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT AND ULTIMATE GOAL OF UNDERSTANDING PATHOPHYSIOLOGY IS THE IDENTIFICATION OF CAUSES OF DISEASE, A FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL THERAPY AND TO A DISEASE PREVENTION.
2. UNDERSTANDING OF PATHOPHYSIOLOGY PREPARES NURSES TO RECOGNIZE DISEASE STATES AND PROGRESSION. IT THUS LEADS TO ENHANCED INTERVENTIONS IN PATIENT CENTERED CARE. IT ENHACE NURSES PERFORMANCE AS AN ACTIVE MEMBERS OF CLINICAL TEAM.
3. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY HELPS NURSES TO UNDERSTAND THE ALTERATIONS OF THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BODY ORGANS IN DISEASE PROCESS SUCH AS CELLULAR MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN THE ORGANS WHICH ARE HELPFUL TO RECOGNIZE THE LEVEL AND GRADE OF DISEASE PROGRESSION, For example: IN CANCER PATIENT BY UNDERSTANDING THEIR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY WE CAN DETECT THE STAGE AND GRADE OF THE TUMOR, IT THUS HELPFUL FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT AND EFFECTIVE PROGNOSIS.
4. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY HELPS TO UNDERSTAND THE STATUS OF PATIENT THAT HOW HE IS RESPONDING TO THE TREATMENT BY MONITORING VARIOUS PATHOLOGICAL LAB VALUES, IT WILL HELP IN BETTER ASSESSMENT OF THE PATIENT.