Topic 2: Immune System and Hematologic System
Why do nurses need to know about pathophysiology?
Most people have come in contact with a nurse at some time during their lives. Think about the interactions you have had with nurses as a patient or family member of a patient, and how they communicated with you and/or your family member. Consider your expectations of the role of the nurse in caring for patients. With that in mind, explain:
Why is it important for the nurse to understand cellular function and pathophysiology?
Immune system and hematologic system
Address one of the three topics below. Indicate which topic you chose in the Subject Line of your initial post.
This is a two-part topic; if you choose this one, be sure to answer both parts:
Discuss the immune system. Choose one of the lines of defense and explain how knowledge of the pathophysiological process assists the nurse when assessing a patient and planning care.
Discuss altered immune response. Choose one of the hypersensitivity states and describe what the nurse assesses for and why/when a patient is suspected of experiencing this process. How does age affect this state?
Choose one of the hematologic diseases in your text and answer the following:
What symptoms would you expect the patient to report? Why?
What laboratory and diagnostic testing should the nurse be prepared for? Why would these tests be ordered?
Explain the pathophysiology of the disease. What is happening in the patients body? Is age a factor?
Locate at least one evidence-based resource containing information on this disease. Provide a brief summary of something you learned from the resource.
This topic is based on a case study. As in all case studies, review the facts of the case and answer the following questions.
Case Study: M.B. is a 36-year-old divorced mother of two teenagers. She works as an accountant at a local manufacturing plant. She developed a non-painful lump on the left side of her neck 2 months ago and went to see her primary care provider. At that time, she reported the following symptoms: Unexplained weight loss, tiredness and lack of energy, and, occasionally, heavy sweating at night.
Today, M.B. is talking with the nurse in the outpatient oncology treatment center. The nurse asked what she knows about her disease. She told the nurse that she knows they can treat this and she expects to get better, that the chemotherapy might make her feel bad for a while but she does not understand which type of cancer she has or why the doctor thought the Reed Sternberg cells were a positive thing that helped him diagnose her type of cancer. She asks the nurse where she can find more information about her disease.
What type of cancer does the nurse expect to find listed in M.B.s chart? Why?
List some appropriate responses the nurse would make to M.B.s information. What should the nurse tell her about the disease? How should the nurse explain the Reed Sternberg cells?
List at least one credible internet resource the nurse can provide to M.B. to enhance the patient education about her disease. Explain why you think it is credible.
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