Pathophysiology I

Catalog description

This course is designed to give the PTA student a working knowledge of the physiology of disease and conditions commonly seen in physical therapy. Basic signs, symptoms, causes, and processes of disease and conditions will be covered. Diagnostic criteria, progression, and interventions, including physical therapy interventions, medical and surgical interventions, and pharmaceutical interventions will be addressed. Areas of study in the course may include, but are not limited to, inflammation and healing, inflection, immunity and immune disorders, and disorders of the following systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal, integumentary, endocrine, lymphatic, and neurological. By the completion of this course, a student should be able to: (1) Define and apply terminology used in Pathophysiology and the ICF Disablement Model (2) Discuss inflammation and healing, (3) Discuss the immune system in terms of its function and possible disorders (4) Identify infectious conditions and describe their transmission and progression (5) List and describe conditions affecting the integumentary system and discuss the role of physical therapy in treating skin conditions (6) Discuss conditions of and applications for physical therapy for the following systems: cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and endocrine. This is a writing-intensive course that will include instructor written evaluation and feedback of student writing. Writing assignments will be specific to the Physical Therapy discipline and include multiple and varied assignments. Writing will be a factor in the final grade for this course. Course content will be delivered in lecture and on-line materials. Assessment of mastery of content will be determined through any or all of the following methods: written tests and quizzes, papers, individual or group projects, homework, in-class assignments. This course is available to students enrolled in the PTA major.