Category: Pathophysiology

A 43-year-old patient diagnosed with leukemia is receiving oral chemotherapeutic agents.  The nurse suspects that the patient may be developing tumor lysis syndrome. Describe the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, treatment, and prevention of tumor lysis syndrome?
At least one Reference is required.
Also, you should answer one of your classmate’s posts.

Assignment 1
Write a 2-3-page paper about  a type of lymphoma (Hodgkin’s or
non-Hodgkin’s) OR a type of leukemia (ALL, AML, CLL, or CML) . Be
sure to include the Pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and
treatment.
Please use at least two references from the web
and/or nursing journals and one from one of your nursing textbooks. The
references should be no older than five (5) years old. This paper should contain
a cover page and be written in essay
form, with 12 Times New Roman font, double spaced, and one-inch margins.

Use the following link to learn how to find and evaluate an online source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/online-health-information-it-reliable#whereLinks to an external site.
Please follow the instructions below:
1. Locate a current (medical or scientific) news or journal article based on one of the topics listed below:
Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal System
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
Mechanisms of Hormonal Regulation
Structure and Function of the Endocrine Glands
Mechanisms of Hormonal Alterations
Alterations of hypothalamic-pituitary systems 
Alterations of Thyroid Function 
Alterations of Parathyroid Function
Note: As you read through the article, think about how it connects to Pathophysiology and why is it relevant.
2. Provide a write-up summarizing  the article.  Within your document, include how the information connects to Pathophysiology, and why it is relevant.  
3. Remember to cite your source(s) in APA Format!

In order to write a case study paper, you must carefully address a number of sections in a specific order with specific information contained in each. The guideline below outlines each of those sections.
Section
Information to Include
Introduction (patient and problem)
Explain who the patient is (Age, gender, etc.)
Explain what the problem is (What was he/she diagnosed with, or what happened?)
Introduce your main argument (What should you as a nurse focus on or do?)
Pathophysiology
Explain the disease (What are the symptoms? What causes it?)
History Explain what health problems the patient has (Has she/he been diagnosed with other diseases?)
Detail any and all previous treatments (Has she/he had any prior surgeries or is he/she on medication?)
Nursing Physical Assessment
List all the patient’s health stats in sentences with specific numbers/levels (Blood pressure, bowel sounds, ambulation, etc.)
Related Treatments
Explain what treatments the patient is receiving because of his/her disease
Nursing Diagnosis & Patient Goal
Explain what your nursing diagnosis is (What is the main problem for this patient? What need to be addressed?)
Explain what your goal is for helping the patient recover (What do you want to change for the patient?)
Nursing Interventions
Explain how you will accomplish your nursing goals, and support this with citations (Reference the literature)
Evaluation
Explain how effective the nursing intervention was (What happened after your nursing intervention? Did the patient get better?)
Recommendations
Explain what the patient or nurse should do in the future to continue recovery/improvement
Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length and will be graded on how well you complete each of the above sections. You will also be graded on your use of APA style and on your application of nursing journals into the treatments and interventions. For integrating nursing journals, remember the following: 
Make sure to integrate citations into all of your paper
Support all claims of what the disease is, why it occurs, and how to treat it with references to the literature on this disease
Always use citations for information that you learned from a book or article; if you do not cite it, you are telling your reader that YOU discovered that information (how to treat the disease, etc.)

Our discussion, this week, will focus on the thyroid.
Respond to the following statements and questions, using the included case study, in your discussion submission.
Discussion Assignment:
Thyroid hormones exert their effects on cells in a manner similar to steroid hormones; describe the mechanism of action of thyroid hormones.
Why would an imbalance in thyroid hormones have such widespread effects on the body?
Why was goiter observed in George’s case?
Why would calcium homeostasis be impaired in response to removal of the thyroid gland?
What could be used to specifically destroy the thyroid gland and have minimal effects on other cells and tissues in the body?
Case Study:
George is a thirty five year old hardware clerk. During his routine physical he casually mentions to his physician that he seems to be sweating more profusely than normal and most rooms that once were comfortable are now too “hot”. At home a room that his wife and children find to be comfortable causes him to sweat profusely. George also reports that he seems to be losing weight even though his appetite has increased. He also complains that he has a shortened attention span and that he always wants to be moving around. Despite the fact that he feels fatigued, George claims to have difficulty sleeping and seems to have more frequent bowel movements, occasionally accompanied by diarrhea. The physician discovers George has lost 15 pounds since his last physical. In checking his chart, the physician finds that George has a negative history for chronic illnesses, does not smoke, and has a low risk for cardiovascular disease. He does however have a positive family history for autoimmune diseases. His father suffers from idiopathic thrombocytopenia, his mother has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and his oldest sister was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Results of George’s physical examination were within normal ranges with the exception of the following: he demonstrated tachycardia, loud heart sounds, and apparent cardiac arrhythmias accompanied by slight hypertension. These arrhythmias were confirmed by electrocardiogram to be supraventricular in origin. George’s eyeballs appeared large and protruding and his hair was fine and soft. He was also beginning to demonstrate some degree of alopecia. George was also observed to have palmar erythema. palpation of the neck revealed the presence of goiter. Results of blood tests indicated elevated concentrations of thyroid hormones (thyroxin and triiodothyronine), hypercalcemia, and decreased circulating concentrations of lipids. Based on the physical characteristics and the results of the blood tests, George’s physician suspected that George was suffering from some form of hyperthyroidism and sent him to an endocrinologist to confirm the initial diagnosis.
Following the initial consultation and examination, the endocrinologist ordered tests to determine whether George was indeed hyperthyroid. The test results indicated an elevation in the concentration of thyroid hormones in the blood and the presence of thyroid-stimulating antibodies. These antibodies specifically stimulate the thyroid gland by binding with the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor located on the plasma membrane of the follicular cells of the thyroid gland. Based on these results, the endocrinologist concluded that George had Grave’s disease, a form of hyperthyroidism believed to be autoimmune in nature. George was presented with a number of possible treatment options. These included treatment with chemicals (propylthiouracil and methimazole) that decrease the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, radioisotopic destruction of the thyroid gland by the use of 131I, and surgical removal of the thyroid gland. After considering all the options, especially the possible effects of radiation on gamete development, George chose surgery. Following successful surgery, George was prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone to ensure that his body was receiving adequate thyroid hormone and told to return within 2 months for a follow-up evaluation of circulating thyroid hormone concentrations. He was also cautioned to carefully monitor his calcium intake.

Week 6: Digital Study Tool
Points 20
Submitting a text entry box, a website url, a media recording, or a file upload
Available until Jun 30 at 11:59pm
This week, you will have the opportunity to unleash your creativity in order to help you and your classmates study.  
For this assignment you will be able to create an infographic or video presentation and upload it here for grading.
Assignment Instructions:
1. Select one of the topics below.
Alterations in Cognitive Systems, (Chapter 16, p. 351)
Alterations in Cerebral Hemodynamics, (Chapter 16, p. 367)
Alterations in Neuromotor Function (Chapter 16, p. 370)
Central Nervous System Disorders (Chapter 17, p. 384)
Peripheral Nervous System Disorders (Chapter 17, p. 405)
Tumors of the Central Nervous System (Chapter 17, p. 406)
Alterations of Neurologic Function in Children (Chapter 18, p. 414)
2. Explore the topic and gather the information needed to teach your fellow learners.
3. Please create these items using infographics (Canva.com) or video (Powtoon.com). If you would like to use a different media source, please email your Instructor first for permission.

As a learner in Pathophysiology, it’s important to take the information you are absorbing from your coursework and connect it to real life.  Throughout the semester you will be invited to make  connections by locating, reviewing,  and summarizing current and relevant journal articles.
Use the following link to learn how to find and evaluate an online source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/online-health-information-it-reliable#whereLinks to an external site.
Please follow the instructions below:
Locate a current (medical or scientific) news or journal article based on one of the topics listed below:
Inflammatory Response (ch 6)
Antibodies/Antigens (ch 7)
Type II Hypersensitivity (ch 8)
Type IV Hypersensitivity (ch 8)
Note: As you read through the article, think about how it connects to Pathophysiology and why is it relevant.
Provide a write-up summarizing  the article.  Within your document, include how the information connects to Pathophysiology, and why it is relevant. 
Aim to include 150 – 200 words in the summary.
Remember to cite your source(s) in APA Format!
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240521/Watch-Medical-residents-are-increasingly-avoiding-abortion-ban-states.aspx

Discussion Assignment: Referencing the ROME mnemonic listed below, submit a discussion post supported by at least one reference explaining the significance of the following lab results. Submit your results as your discussion contribution.
In this week’s reading material, you are learning about the importance of acid-base balance in maintaining homeostasis. The acid-base balance must be maintained within a narrow range in order for the body to function normally. Please read over the following case study to address the questions below. Please reference the ROME mnemonic listed below as needed. Don’t forget to cite your sources! 
Mrs. Breathless is a 45-year-old female nurse with a history of asthma. She reports to the ED in the early morning with shortness of breath, blurred vision, headache, and restlessness. After several laboratory tests, the following ABG (arterial blood gases) lab results are confirmed:  
Blood pH=7.30 
PaCO2 = 46 mm Hg 
HCO3 = 24 mEq/L.  
Based on the results of her ABG, which acid-base imbalance is Mrs. Breathless likely experiencing? Justify your answer by referencing the ROME mnemonic. 
What is the underlying pathophysiology of this disorder? What type of compensation is likely to take place? 
Why do you think Mrs. Breathless developed this imbalance? What are some of the contributing factors leading to this? 
RO-ME:
Respiratory Opposite: When pH is up, PaCO2 is down = Alkalosis, When pH is down, PaCO2 is up = Acidosis
Metabolic Equal: When pH is up, HCO3 is up = Alkalosis, When pH is down, HCO3 is down = Acidosis
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240514/Experts-advocate-for-terminology-change-in-brain-injury-research.aspx

Discussion Assignment: Referencing the ROME mnemonic listed below, submit a discussion post supported by at least one reference explaining the significance of the following lab results. Submit your results as your discussion contribution.
In this week’s reading material, you are learning about the importance of acid-base balance in maintaining homeostasis. The acid-base balance must be maintained within a narrow range in order for the body to function normally. Please read over the following case study to address the questions below. Please reference the ROME mnemonic listed below as needed. Don’t forget to cite your sources! 
Mrs. Breathless is a 45-year-old female nurse with a history of asthma. She reports to the ED in the early morning with shortness of breath, blurred vision, headache, and restlessness. After several laboratory tests, the following ABG (arterial blood gases) lab results are confirmed:  
Blood pH=7.30 
PaCO2 = 46 mm Hg 
HCO3 = 24 mEq/L.  
Based on the results of her ABG, which acid-base imbalance is Mrs. Breathless likely experiencing? Justify your answer by referencing the ROME mnemonic. 
What is the underlying pathophysiology of this disorder? What type of compensation is likely to take place? 
Why do you think Mrs. Breathless developed this imbalance? What are some of the contributing factors leading to this? 

A 21-year old female (A.M.) presents to the urgent care clinic with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever for 3 days. She states that she has Type I diabetes and has not been managing her blood sugars since she’s been ill and unable to keep any food down. She’s only tolerated sips of water and juices. Since she’s also been unable to eat, she hasn’t taken any insulin as directed. While helping A.M. from the lobby to the examining room you note that she’s unsteady, her skin is warm and flushed, and that she’s drowsy. You also note that she’s breathing rapidly and smell a slight sweet/fruity odor. A.M. has a challenge answering questions but keeps asking for water to drink.
You get more information from A.M. and learn the following:
She had some readings on her glucometer which were reading ‘high’
She vomits almost every time she takes in fluid
She hasn’t voided for a day but voided a great deal the day before
She’s been sleeping long hours and finally woke up this morning and decided to seek care
Vital Sign
Temperature                      
101.3° F (tympanic)
Blood pressure
88/46 mmHg
Heart rate
132 beats/minute
Respiratory rate
36 breaths/min, deep
Oxygen saturation % (SpO2)
91% on room air
Lab results
Serum glucose
657 mg/dl
Serum potassium
6.2 mEq/L
Urine ketones
Positive
What is the disorder and its pathophysiology that you expect the health care provider to diagnose?
Describe the etiology of the disorder A.M is experiencing.
Identify and describe the clinical manifestations of the disorder A.M. is experiencing.
Instructions:
Summarize the questions above and formulate what may be happening with A.M.
Use at least one scholarly source to support your findings. Examples of scholarly sources include academic journals, textbooks, reference texts, and CINAHL nursing guides. Be sure to cite your sources in-text and on a References page using APA format.
You can find useful reference materials for this assignment in the School of Nursing guide: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/nursing/referenceebooks
Have questions about APA? Visit the online APA guide: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa
Case study adapted from:
Harding, M.M. & Snyder, J.S. (2015). Winningham’s critical thinking cases in nursing: Medical-surgical, pediatric, maternity, and psychiatric. Retrieved from: https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ras/detail.action?docID=2072336.