Anatomy And Physiology
Normal anatomy of the major body system affected: In this section, you will describe what is considered normal anatomy for your particular pathophysiology. For example, if you are discussing a disease related to the brain, explain what is normal for the brain from an anatomical standpoint. You should show comprehensive knowledge of the fundamental concepts and communicate information using scientific vocabulary. There should be little to no discussion of the condition itself in this section.
Normal physiology of the major body system affected: In this section, you will be discussing physiology. Keep in mind that when describing physiology, it isn’t enough to merely provide a list of functions of the body system (Ex: Neurons send signals throughout the body), instead, you need to be able to describe how it does it. The how is the physiology. There should be little to no discussion of the condition itself in this section
Mechanism of Pathophysiology: This section is likely going to be the most in-depth and longest section. In this section, you will explain your particular pathophysiology from a scientific standpoint. In the previous two sections, you explained what is considered normal, in this section, you should describe what the pathophysiology is doing that is causing these issues, how the normal anatomy & physiology is affected/different in a person with your condition. You should show a thorough understanding of the anatomical and physiological changes contributing to the disease. Some good keywords to search for when doing your research might be "Pathology of __________”, Pathophysiology of __________."
Prevention: In this section, you will explain how your pathophysiology could be prevented. This should outline possible prevention protocols, or clearly indicate if none is available based on the current scientific literature.
Treatment: In this section, you will explain how your pathophysiology is commonly treated. Provide possible treatment protocols for the condition based on current scientific literature. Be sure to bring in nursing relevant information and how you might be involved in the treatment of the condition.
Sample Solution
Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
Normal Anatomy of the Cardiovascular System
The cardiovascular system is a complex network of organs and vessels that transport blood throughout the body. It is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells and removing waste products. The major components of the cardiovascular system include:
- Heart: A muscular pump that propels blood through the circulatory system.
- Blood vessels: A network of tubes that carry blood throughout the body. Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the body's tissues. Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Full Answer Section
Normal Physiology of the Cardiovascular System The heart is a four-chambered pump that beats continuously to circulate blood throughout the body. The beating of the heart is controlled by an electrical system called the cardiac conduction system. The cardiac conduction system generates electrical signals that cause the heart muscles to contract and relax. The heart's pumping action generates blood pressure, which is the force of blood against the walls of blood vessels. Blood pressure is an important factor in determining blood flow to the body's tissues. Mechanism of Pathophysiology Myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle. The blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that forms in a coronary artery, which is an artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle. When a coronary artery is blocked, the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, and the cells begin to die. The amount of damage to the heart muscle depends on the duration and severity of the blockage. Symptoms of Myocardial Infarction The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, which is often described as a pressure, squeezing, or burning sensation in the center or left side of the chest. Other symptoms of a heart attack may include:- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sweating
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Feeling of impending doom
- Controlling cholesterol levels: High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
- Controlling blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the arteries and increase the risk of a blood clot forming.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of heart disease.
- Exercising regularly: Regular exercise can help to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body weight.
- Quitting smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Managing stress: Stress can increase the risk of a heart attack.
- Aspirin: Aspirin helps to thin the blood and prevent further clotting.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These medications help to lower blood pressure.
- Nitroglycerin: Nitroglycerin helps to widen the blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart.
- Thrombolytic therapy: Thrombolytic therapy dissolves the blood clot that is blocking the coronary artery.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): PCI is a procedure that opens up the blocked coronary artery using a balloon or stent.
- Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): CABG is a surgical procedure that bypasses the blocked coronary artery with a graft of healthy blood vessels.