MSN5150 Advanced Pathophysiology Case Study Assignment

Assignment Summary

Instructors expect students to apply pathophysiological concepts to real-world scenarios in this case study. Learners select a common disease process and explore its mechanisms, symptoms, and management strategies. The exercise builds skills in critical thinking and evidence integration for advanced nursing roles.

Assignment Details

Choose a disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or type 2 diabetes. Describe the underlying cellular and systemic changes, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and potential complications. Discuss diagnostic approaches and evidence-based interventions relevant to nursing practice.

Core Elements

• Organize the paper with sections on etiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and treatment.
• Cite at least four recent scholarly articles to back up key points.
• Follow APA guidelines for formatting, including in-text citations and a reference page.
• Ensure the content reflects advanced-level analysis suitable for MSN students.

Word Count and Submission

Produce a 1500- to 2000-word document, not counting references. Submit the assignment through the course portal by the specified deadline to avoid grade deductions.

Evaluation Criteria

Graders allocate 100 points across these areas:

1. Depth of Pathophysiological Explanation (30 points): Accurate depiction of disease mechanisms and processes.
2. Clinical Relevance (25 points): Clear links to nursing assessment and interventions.
3. Evidence Use (20 points): Appropriate integration of sources with correct citations.
4. Organization and Clarity (15 points): Logical structure and readable prose.
5. APA Adherence (10 points): Compliance with style rules and error-free writing.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease involves persistent inflammation and airflow limitation in the lungs. Cigarette smoking often triggers oxidative stress and protease-antiprotease imbalance leading to tissue damage. Nurses monitor for exacerbations through spirometry and oxygen saturation levels to guide timely interventions.

Arvanitis, M. et al., 2020. Diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes: A position statement from the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care, 43(Supplement 1), pp.S14-S31. doi:10.2337/dc20-S002. Available at: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/43/Supplement_1/S14/30758/2-Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes-Mellitus.

Celli, B.R. et al., 2022. An updated definition and severity classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations: The Rome proposal. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 205(11), pp.1251-1258. doi:10.1164/rccm.202108-1819PP.

Hinkle, J.L. and Cheever, K.H., 2018. Brunner & Suddarth’s textbook of medical-surgical nursing. 14th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer. Available at: https://shop.lww.com/Brunner—Suddarth-s-Textbook-of-Medical-Surgical-Nursing/p/9781496347992.

Mirza, S. et al., 2019. Pathophysiology of severe asthma: A focused review. Respirology, 24(11), pp.1047-1056. doi:10.1111/resp.13657.