Author(s): Matthew Sorenson, Laurie Quinn, Diane Klein
The goals of Pathophysiology: Concepts of Human Disease are not only to provide students with the latest information about pathophysiology that is relevant to clinical practice, but also to empower students with competencies that will endure throughout their nursing career. The approach we have taken to pathophysiology reflects the shift in focus of healthcare from mainly understanding diseases in their later stages to understanding risk factors and interventions that can maintain good health and slow progression of disease in humans. For example, obesity, lack of regular physical activity, and tobacco use are risk factors for many common diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cancer, atherosclerosis and asthma. Therefore, we address risk behaviors that underlie leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The focus of this book will enhance students’ understanding of disease processes and their ability to explain and motivate patients in their care to make therapeutic lifestyle changes.
Because of the rapid expansion of knowledge related to pathophysiology and the content saturation experienced by students in pathophysiology courses as well as other nursing courses, the concept-based approach for organization of content is used Pathophysiology: Concepts of Human Disease. This will help students to understand the elements common to many disease states. An explanation of the major physiologic concept addressed in each chapter and a list of related concepts are provided in the Chapter Overview of each chapter.