Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology: Essentials for Clinical Practice

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Concise and well-organized, this advanced physiology and pathophysiology text promotes deep understanding of key pathophysiological concepts and relates them to major disorders commonly seen in practice. The second edition offers new features that add to its value in preparing the student clinician to care for patients with a broad variety of disorders, as well as coverage of new scientific advances.

With the aim of preparing students to be well-informed and confident decision makers in primary care settings, the text provides the key knowledge required to master pharmacology for prescriptive practice. Addressing both healthy organ function and disease-associated changes, it details and illustrates the cellular structure and function of each organ system and mechanisms of associated major clinical disorders. It examines the reasons patients often present with particular symptoms, the rationale for ordering specific diagnostic tests and interpretation of the results, and common management strategies that proceed from the underlying pathology. The text is replete with case studies to illustrate concepts, more than 500 images, key points to reinforce knowledge, and a glossary of essential terminology. Comprehensive instructor resources accompany the text. Print purchase includes online access to CourseConnect, an interactive learning platform.

New to the Second Edition:

• Physiology of pregnancy, labor, and delivery
• Expanded coverage of neonatal and pediatric development and vulnerabilities
• Methylation patterns of cell-free DNA (epigenetics) in oncology practice
• Expanded coverage of fluid and electrolyte balance
• Increased content on the social determinants of health
• Introduction of the exposome concept in human disease
• New content on biological and psychosocial aspects of human sexual development and variations relevant to LGBTQ+-centered care

Key Features:

• Includes comprehensive lifespan considerations with key insights from specialists in pediatric and geriatric pathophysiology
• Integrates critical-thinking questions and case studies to promote discussion and information synthesis
• Provides unique "Bridge to Clinical Practice" in each chapter to translate science to practical patient care
• Includes more than 500 images to illustrate complex scientific concepts
• Summarizes content with key points at the end of each chapter
• Print purchase includes online access to CourseConnect, an interactive learning platform

CourseConnect Features:

• Interactive chapter modules with lessons, case studies, and quizzes
• Flashcards, game center, and discussion board
• Analytics dashboard with strengths and weaknesses and progress tracking

Nancy C. Tkacs, PhD, RN, received her BSN and MSN degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and her PhD in physiology with a focus in neuroscience from Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School at the Stritch School of Medicine. She completed postdoctoral training in neuroendocrinology in the laboratory of Dr. William F. (Fran) Ganong at University of California San Francisco. Dr. Tkacs conducted preclinical research on neuroendocrine responses to physiological stressors in rodent models, particularly pertaining to the diabetes complication hypoglycemia unawareness. Dr. Tkacs has been teaching pathophysiology for advanced nursing practice for over 25 years, drawing on her knowledge of organ systems physiology and pathophysiology to provide a strong basic science foundation for advanced nursing practice. As a master's-prepared nurse with a doctorate in physiology, she is able to build a bridge between physiology concepts and the pathophysiology of disease. Students learn how findings from the history and physical and diagnostic test results relate to the underlying disease process at the cell and organ level. She taught advanced pathophysiology and neuroscience courses at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the New Jersey Medical School; she taught advanced pathophysiology and pathogenesis of mental health disorders courses at the University of Pennsylvania; and she directed and taught advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology online courses at the University of Southern California. She also served as assistant dean for Diversity and Inclusivity at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Linda L. Herrmann, PhD, RN, AGACNP-BC, GNP-BC, ACHPN, FAANP, earned her BSN, MSN, and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing under the mentoring of Neville E. Strumpf, PhD, RN. Dr. Herrmann's clinical and research interests are neuroscience, aging, caregiving, palliative and supportive care and end of life care, use of mixed reality platforms to enhance engagement with clinical content, and health policy related to transitions in care of older adults. She has experience teaching graduate level advanced pathophysiology and pathopharmacology in both in-person and virtual platforms. She is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in neuroscience and aging. She was a John A. Hartford predoctoral scholar, a Faculty Nurse Scholar through the Harford Faculty Scholars Program Policy Leadership Institute in Washington DC, and is an Advisor with the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing and a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.