Pathophysiology Research Report: Six Common Medical Conditions

This report provides a detailed analysis of the pathophysiology of six common medical conditions: hypertension, cellulitis, pneumonia, COPD, CHF, and diabetes (Type 1 and 2). Each section covers the condition's pathophysiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, physical assessment findings, nursing interventions, diagnostic tests, teaching points, and patient information. The report synthesizes information from various research sources to provide a comprehensive overview of each condition, emphasizing the importance of early detection, proper management, and patient education. The structured approach facilitates a clear understanding of the disease processes and their clinical implications, making it a valuable resource for students in healthcare and related fields. The report highlights critical aspects of each condition, including the mechanisms of disease, assessment techniques, and interventions to improve patient outcomes. Finally, it underscores the significance of lifestyle modifications and patient education in disease prevention and management.

Pathophysiology Research
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Pathophysiology Research
1. Hypertension
Pathophysiology
Hypertension is the persistent elevation of the Blood Pressure (HP), which at the end causes
damage to organs leading to morbidity and mortality. HP is the creation of a regular vascular
resistance and cardiac output. In this case, individuals with hypertension can have an increase in
vascular resistance, increase in cardiac output or both (Savoia & Touyz, 2017).
Risk factor
The risk factor of hypertension include
 Family history
 Being obese or overweight
 Age
 Consuming too much sodium
 Using tobacco
 Excessive alcohol consumption
Sign &symptoms
 Confusion or fatigue
 Chest pain
 Irregular heartbeat
 Difficult breathing
 Severe headache

 Vision problems
Physical assessment findings
The physical assessment for hypertension include taking of blood pressure readings,
measurement of the patient’s waist, height and weight, the check of the retina, heart examination,
assessment of the legs for edema and pulse, and the assessment of the abdomen using
stethoscope to check for abnormal sounds (abdominal bruits) (Spiegelman, Forman & Missmer,
2017).
Nursing interventions
The first intervention is to monitor and assess BP. It is important to know the level of the BP in
order to determine the mode of treatment. Second, cardiac assessment, this is important to detect
any abnormalities like murmurs, which can be presented without the patient exhibiting any
symptoms. The third intervention is to promote rest, this is important to avoid blood pressure
from rising.
Diagnostic test
HP is measured using a sphygmomanometer. The sphygmomanometer has two readings, which
are taken in (mmHg) . The first, which is the upper number measures the pressure of blood in
the arteries when the heart beats and the second reading, which is the lower reading measures the
pressure in the arteries amid the beats.
Teaching

Change of lifestyle can help contain and prevent HP. This means that, despite taking HP
medication it is important to eat healthy and exercising more.
Patient information
Patients should keep a healthy weight or lose weight as it can help control high blood pressure.
2. Cellulitis
Pathophysiology
Cellulitis is a breach on the skin like a cut, fissure, insect bite, or wound. Also, the breach can be
due to bacteria, which invade the skin and gain entry to the dermis where they multiply causing
cellutis. The major cases of this condition is by Streptococcus pyogenes (Holy, Kovar, Fundova
& Astl, 2016).
Risk factor
 Injury
 Condition of skin
 Obesity
 Weak immune system
Sign &symptoms
 Tenderness and pain in affected area
 Inflammation and redness of skin
 Fever
Physical assessment findings

The physical assessment focuses on the affected area. The assessment involves the physician
checking for warmth, swelling, pain, and erythema. In addition, the physician will conduct
wound culture to identify the pathogens and sternness of the infection before determining the
nature of treatment (Oppegaard, Kittang, Langeland & Skrede, 2016).
Nursing interventions
The treatment of this condition depends on the antibiotic routine. In this case, the nurse will
clean the wound, dress the wound, and design a care plan to prevent further complications.
Diagnostic test
The color of the skin will be used by the healthcare provider to come up with a diagnosis. in
other cases, the healthcare provider can conduct a wound culture or blood tests to determine the
cause of the infection
Teaching
Patients should control their weight, ensure proper control of glycaemia, and avoid any form of
injury to the skin.
Patient Information
All cases of Cellulitis require immediate medical attention and after beginning treatment, it is
important for the patient to come back to the hospital if the condition worsens or the antibiotics
fail.
3. Pneumonia

Pathophysiology
Pneumonia is developed when pathogens get their way to the alveoli. This happens when the
host defense are beset by microorganisms. The microorganisms are sinusitis, nasal carriers, and
tracheal or gastric colonization (Warren, Shioda, Kürüm & Weinberger, 2017).
Risk Factor
 Smoking cigarettes
 Viral respiratory infections
 Lung disease
 Cerebral palsy
 Weak immune system.
Signs and Symptoms
 Cough
 Fever
 Chills
 Shortness of breath
 Chest pain
 Headache
Physical assessment findings

The physical examination involves the doctor checking the heart rate, the body temperature,
breathing, chest pains, and the oxygen levels, this checks are very important for the assessment
of suspected pneumonia cases.
Nursing interventions
First, it is important to provide the patient with soft foods rich in proteins and high calories.
Second, the patient’s ABG levels should be monitored if they are hypoxic. Finally, the patient’s
should be provided with proper medication to ease the symptoms.
Diagnostic test
Pneumonia is diagnosed through an X- ray, which is done to check k any changes or
abnormalities in the lungs . at times, X- rays do not show the infection. However, they are done
to identify the organism causing pneumonia (fungal, viral, or bacteria).
Teaching
If you present the above mentioned symptoms, it is good to visit the hospital for examination as
pneumonia can be life threatening. If diagnosed with pneumonia, it is advisable to start taking
the medication to clear the infection (Lee, Husain & Strek, 2017).
Patient Information
In cases where the infection is not severe, treatment can be done from home but in extreme
cases, hospitalization is necessary. In addition, it is important to take paracetamol to reduce the
fever. If the symptoms persist after three days, visit the doctor to check you again.

4. COPD
Pathophysiology
COPD is an intricate syndrome which comprises of the mucociliary dysfunction, airway
inflammation, and changes in the structure of the airway. This condition is cause by an exposure
to irritants like tobacco smoke (Apps, Mukherjee, & Ateli, 2016).
Risk factor
 Smoking
 Air pollution
 Inhaling of Chemicals and dust
 Genetics
 Age
Sign &symptoms
 Chest tightness
 Whistling or wheezing when breathing
 Ongoing cough
 Cold and many other infections like influenza
Physical assessment findings
The doctor will conduct a spirometric test to check inappropriateness in breathing, unusual
cough, unusual or frequent sputum production, relapse of bronchitis. These physical assessments
are important in the diagnostic accuracy.
Nursing interventions

The first nursing intervention is to provide the patient with medications, which include mucolytic
agents, broncodilators, and antibiotics. Antibiotics should be administered on identifying the
initial signs like excessive sputum production. Also, the patient should be provide with vaccines
to prevent pneumonia and influenza (Pierce, Warner, Croghan, & Hoth, 2016)
Diagnostic test
In diagnosing COPD, the doctor will assess the symptoms, discuss the patient’s medical and
family history, and inquire on any exposure to lung irritant like cigarette smoke. Further, the
doctor will conduct tests like X-rays and CT scan to further assess the condition.
Teaching
One of the primary way to prevent COPD is to avoid exposure to substances that irritate the
lungs like tobacco smoke, air pollution, and perfumes. For smokers, it is important to join a
support program to help quit smoking.
Patient information
The first vital step is to stop smoking in order to prevent further complications and progression
of the condition. In addition, it is important to follow medication as prescribed by the doctor.
5. CHF
Pathophysiology
CHF is a syndrome caused by a number of abnormalities like volume and pressure load, muscle
disease, loss of muscle or excessive demands like high output failure. In the case of heart failure,
the heart muscles reduce contractility leading to a significant reduction on cardiac output
(Norhammar, Johansson, Thrainsdottir & Rydén, 2017)

Risk Factor
 Hypertension
 Diabetes
 Coronary artery disease
 Obesity
 Severe emphysema
 Hyperthyroidism
 Valvular heart disease
Sign &symptoms
 Dyspnea
 Weakness and fatigue
 Edema
 Irregular or rapid heartbeat
 Persistent cough
 Sudden gain in weight
 Nausea and lack of appetite
 Chest pain
 Shortness of breath
Physical assessment findings
Patients who have mild CHF do not exhibit any symptoms of distress but get dyspneic
immediately after an activity. Those who have a LV failure experience dyspneic when lying
down while those with severe CHF are anxious and show signs of hunger .

Nursing interventions
The doctor should administer morphine to reduce pain, preload, venous return, and anxiety
Diagnostic test
The doctor uses the stethoscope to determine unusual or abnormal sounds as the heart beats,
which will indicate a narrowed or leaky valve and to check on whether there are any fluids
accumulated in the lungs.
Teaching
In case of any emergency, it is important for the family to call for emergency medical attention
in case the patient is at home.
Patient information
Patient should be educated to identify the signs and symptoms that require immediate medical
attention like shortness of breath (Patel, Brown, Ives & Stein, 2017)
6. Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2
Pathophysiology
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder linked to an increased in macrovascular and microvascular
illnesses. The disorder is caused when the immune system destroys the insulin beta cells of th
pancreas (Talton, Divers, Davis & Lawrence, 2016).
Risk Factor
 Genetics
 Age

 Family history
 Lifestyle
Signs and symptoms
 Tiredness and fatigue
 Blurred vision
 Thirst
 Yeast infection
 Increased urination
Physical assessment findings
The doctor will check the eyes (the response of the pupil to light), thyroid gland, and blood
pressure.
Nursing interventions
First, the doctor will administer insulin as prescribed. Second, the doctor will treat hypoglycemic
reactions, and finally, assist the patient come up with coping strategies.
Diagnostic test
Diagnosis of diabetes involves blood tests to determine the blood sugar levels. They measure the
pct of blood sugar attached to the protein carrying oxygen.
Teaching
The patients should be given the reasons to the symptoms including the causes of diabetes.
Patient Information