Pathophysiology for the Health Professions

Document Content and Description Below

Pathophysiology requires the use of knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and is based on a loss of or a change in normal structure and function. This basis also saves relearning many facts!... Many disorders affecting a particular system or organ, for example the liver, display a set of common signs and symptoms directly related to that organ’s normal structure and function. For example, when the liver is damaged, many clotting factors cannot be produced; therefore, excessive bleeding results. Jaundice, a yellow color in the skin, is another sign of liver disease, resulting from the liver’s inability to excrete bilirubin. Also, basic pathophysiologic concepts related to the causative factors of a disease, such as the processes of inflammation or infection are common to many diseases. Inflammation in the liver causes swelling of the tissue and stretching of the liver capsule, resulting in pain, as does inflammation of the kidneys. The use of these basic building blocks—the signs related to the specific site of damage and the signs related to the pathologic process taking place—facilitates the study of a specific disease. [Show More]

Last updated: 1 year ago

Preview 1 out of 737 pages