Discussion 1: Maladaptive Responses to Immune Disorders

Maladaptive responses to disorders are compensatory mechanisms that ultimately have adverse health effects for patients. For instance, a patient’s allergic reaction to peanuts might lead to anaphylactic shock, or a patient struggling with depression might develop a substance abuse problem. To properly diagnose and treat patients, advanced practice nurses must understand both the pathophysiology of disorders and potential maladaptive responses that some disorders cause.

Consider immune disorders such as HIV, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus E. What are resulting maladaptive responses for patients with these disorders?

To prepare:

• Review Chapter 5 and Chapter 7 in the Huether and McCance text. Reflect on the concept of maladaptive responses to disorders.
• Select two of the following immune disorders: HIV, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, or systemic lupus E (SLE).
• Identify the pathophysiology of each disorder you selected. Consider the compensatory mechanisms that the disorders trigger. Then compare the resulting maladaptive and physiological responses of the two disorders.
• Select one of the following factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how the factor might impact your selected immune disorders.

Post on or before Day 3 a brief description of the pathophysiology of your selected immune disorders. Explain how the maladaptive and physiological responses of the two disorders differ. Finally, explain how the factor you selected might impact the pathophysiology of each disorder.

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While arthritis impacts nearly 50 million adults in the United States, it is not a disease that is limited to adulthood. Consider the case of Ashley Russell. At the age of 14 months, Ashley was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. As a baby, her parents noticed that her knee was always swollen and that she often wanted to be carried instead of walking on her own (Cyr, 2012). After seeking medical care, Ashley’s underlying disorder was discovered. Arthritis in children is not uncommon. According to the CDC (2011), an estimated 294,000 children under age 18 have some form of arthritis or rheumatic condition. Due to the prevalence of the disorder in both children and adults, you must understand the pathophysiology and symptoms of arthritis in order to properly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

To prepare:

• Review Chapter 37 in the Huether and McCance text and Chapter 24 in the McPhee and Hammer text. Identify the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Consider the similarities and differences of the disorders.
• Select two of the following patient factors: genetics, gender, ethnicity, age, or behavior. Reflect on how the factors you selected might impact the pathophysiology of the disorders, as well as the diagnosis of and treatment for the disorders.

Post on or before Day 4 a description of the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including the similarities and differences between the disorders. Then explain how the factors you selected might impact the pathophysiology of the disorders, as well as the diagnosis of treatment for the disorders. .

References: 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Arthritis-related statistics. Retrieved fromhttp://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm

Cyr, J. (2012). 7-year-old from Aroostook County chosen as youth ambassador for Bangor Arthritis Walk. Bangor Daily News. Retrieved from http://bangordailynews.com/2012/05/10/health/7-year-old-from-aroostook-county-chosen-as-youth-ambassador-for-bangor-arthritis-walk/

Pathophysiology Homework
Module 11 Part 1 Discussion: Alterations of Cardiovascular Function
Discuss:

Your clinic patient has been newly diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. He tells you that his legs hurt when he walks more that one city block. He asks you to explain his disease and why his legs hurt. How will you explain these things to him in lay terms?
Your patient has been admitted to the hospital with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He suddenly develops sharp chest pain and has difficulty breathing. Based on his admission diagnosis, what complication of DVT might he be experiencing? Explain the pathophysiology of how this complication develops.
You have been asked to talk with a community group about risk factors for development of hypertension. What are the risk factors? What can you teach this group about actions that can be taken to reduce risk factors?
Your mother has been diagnosed with primary hypertension. Her latest blood pressure was 164/93. Classify her hypertension according to the “Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee” and explain in your own words the etiology of primary hypertension.
You are a healthcare student working at a health fair in a local mall. A man approaches your booth and tells you that he is having chest pain and is afraid that he is having a heart attack. What actions should you take? What questions can you ask him? What signs and symptoms should you be looking for?