NUR 450: Advanced Pathophysiology

Assessment 2 – Pathophysiological Analysis Essay

Word Count: 2000 words (±10%)
Weight: 40% of final grade
Submission Format: Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12pt, APA 7th Edition referencing
Due Date: Week 7, Sunday 11:59 PM (EST)

Task Description

Prepare a 2000-word evidence-based analytical essay exploring the pathophysiology of a selected complex disease process. Your analysis should connect molecular, cellular, and systemic alterations to clinical manifestations and discuss implications for advanced nursing assessment and intervention. Select one disease or condition from the list below or propose an alternative with instructor approval.

 Disease/Condition Options

• Heart Failure (Systolic vs. Diastolic Dysfunction)
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Insulin Resistance
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
• Sepsis and Multi-Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)

Essay Components

1. Introduction (10%)
   • Identify the chosen condition.
   • Briefly describe its prevalence and relevance in advanced nursing practice.
2. Pathophysiological Mechanisms (40%)
   • Explain molecular, cellular, and systemic processes leading to disease manifestation.
   • Integrate recent research (2018–2025) describing biological pathways.
3. Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostics (25%)
   • Discuss signs, symptoms, and diagnostic findings that correlate with underlying mechanisms.
   • Link findings to current nursing assessment strategies.
4. Advanced Nursing Implications (20%)
   • Analyze how pathophysiology informs evidence-based interventions, pharmacological management, and patient education.
   • Include implications for interprofessional collaboration and advanced practice roles.
5. Conclusion (5%)
   • Summarize key insights and their significance to advanced nursing decision-making.

Assessment Rubric

Criteria	Excellent (90–100%)	Proficient (80–89%)	Satisfactory (70–79%)	Needs Improvement (<70%)
Understanding of Pathophysiology	Comprehensive, accurate integration of molecular to systemic mechanisms with strong research foundation.	Clear understanding with minor inaccuracies; evidence used appropriately.	Basic understanding; limited research integration.	Superficial or incorrect explanations; lacks evidence base.
Application to Nursing Practice	Insightful, evidence-based application to advanced nursing assessment and interventions.	Good application with adequate linkage to clinical practice.	Some connection to practice but lacking depth.	Minimal or unclear clinical application.
Use of Evidence	Integrates 8+ peer-reviewed sources (2018–2025) appropriately in APA 7th format.	Uses 5–7 credible sources; mostly accurate referencing.	Uses fewer than 5 sources or inconsistent citation.	Insufficient or irrelevant sources.
Academic Writing Quality	Clear, logical, cohesive structure; professional tone.	Generally coherent and readable with minor lapses.	Acceptable structure; occasional clarity issues.	Disorganized, unclear, or unprofessional writing.

Submission Instructions

• Submit the essay as a single PDF or Word file via the university LMS (Canvas).
• Use Turnitin to verify originality (similarity index ≤15%).
• Late submissions are subject to a 10% deduction per day unless pre-approved.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

• Analyze the underlying mechanisms of complex disease processes.
• Correlate pathophysiological findings with clinical manifestations.
• Integrate evidence-based knowledge into advanced nursing practice.

This assignment brief for Miami Regional University’s NUR 450: Advanced Pathophysiology guides students in producing a 2000-word analytical essay exploring disease mechanisms and their implications for advanced nursing assessment and care. Aligned with APA 7th edition and contemporary evidence-based standards.

References

• McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (2023). Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children (9th ed.). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2020-0-01748-7

• Kumar, V., Abbas, A. K., & Aster, J. C. (2022). Robbins Basic Pathology (11th ed.). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2020-0-02389-6

• Langan, R. C., & Zawistoski, K. J. (2020). Update on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. American Family Physician, 101(12), 753–761. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2020/0615/p753.html

• Brown, A. M., & Edwards, H. (2021). Integrating pathophysiological knowledge in advanced clinical reasoning. Nurse Education Today, 98, 104749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104749

• Yancy, C. W., et al. (2019). 2019 ACC/AHA/HFSA guideline on the management of heart failure. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(8), e147–e239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.02.010