Course Number:
MA 131
Transcript Title:
Pathophysiology for the MA
Created:
Aug 15, 2022
Updated:
Aug 17, 2022
Total Credits:
5
Lecture Hours:
50
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

MP 111
BI 122 or BI 233

Course Description

Explores concepts of disease processes as they relate to the normal physiology of the major body systems including: etiology, signs and symptoms of disease, treatment options and methods of evaluating cause and effect of diseases as it relates to the role of the medical assistant. Prerequisites: MP 111; BI 122 or BI 233.

Course Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Apply understanding of common disease states according to etiology or type of diseases, and identify the primary system or organ affected.
  2. Understand the interrelationship of normal organ systems and how disease states can alter the normal body function associated with the organ system.
  3. Distinguish between primary disease manifestations, complications and sequelae.
  4. Correlate the chief complaint of a patient with the physical signs and symptoms and/or diagnostic findings that are associated with particular disease states.
  5. Understand the correlation of laboratory test results and diagnostic procedures with abnormal physiology and common disease states
  6. Explain general methods of prevention and public health issues associated with infectious disease.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

Students will demonstrate these learning outcomes by answering theoretical and application multiple choice questions on information covered in lecture and reading assignments. Students may complete a variety of assignments to demonstrate understanding, including group work, case studies, and homework assignments.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

The following list outlines the concepts, themes, and issues you need to understand and be able to use appropriately.

  1. Introduction to Disease

    • Understand the terms used to classify and describe diseases.

    • Identify CLIA waived tests associated with common diseases

    • Explain general methods of prevention and public health issues associated with infectious disease.

    • Understand primary disease manifestions and relate those with potential complications and sequelae.

  2. Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Understand the results of common laboratory tests as they are used in the diagnosis of common disease states and how they are used to monitor treatment

    • Correlate signs and symptoms with chief complaint of the patient and how those variables associate with particular disease states.

  1. Body Fluids and Electrolytes

    • Know the importance of body fluid and electrolyte balance in health and disease.

  2. Inflammation and Repair

    • Understand the basic process of inflammation and repair.

  3. Normal and Abnormal Immune Response

    • Understand the role of the immune system in health and disease.

  4. Bacterial Infection

    • Know the three basic types of pathogenic bacterial in relation to the major aspects involved in disease outcomes.

  5. Viral, Rickettsial and Chlamydial Infections

    • Know common viral, rickettsial and chlamydial infections and how they differ from bacterial infections.

  6. Fungi and Parasites

    • Know the names of common fungal and parasitic diseases, how they are contracted and treated.

  7. Nosocomial Infections

    • Identify the most common infectious diseases associated with hospitalization.

    • Understand the precautions required to lower the risks of nosocomial infections.

  8. Neoplasms

    • Distinguish between benign and malignant neoplasms in terms of etiology, behavior and results.

    • Recognize basic diagnostic methods and treatment modalities for cancer.

  9. Hereditary and Congenital Disorders

    • Introduce hereditary, genetic and congenital disorders in regard to cause.

  10. Cardiovascular Disorders

    • Review the normal physiology of the cardiovascular system and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis

  11. Blood and Lymph

    • Review the normal physiology of the blood and the hematopoietic and lymphatic systems and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis

  12. Respiratory Disorders

    • Review the normal physiology of the respiratory system and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis

  13. Digestive Tract Disorders

    • Review the normal physiology of the digestive system and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis

  14. Hepatobiliary Disorders

    • Review the normal physiology of accessory digestive system and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

  15. Endocrine Disorders

    • Review the normal physiology of the endocrine system and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis.

  16. Genitourinary System Disorders

    • Review the normal physiology of the urinary system (male and female reproduction systems) and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis.

  17. Female Reproductive system and Breast

    • Review the normal physiology of the female breast and reproduction system and relate this to the common pathological disorders as to etiology, diagnosis, signs and symptoms, treatment and prognosis.

Department Notes

This is a required course which fulfills a portion of the curriculum for the certificate in Medical Assisting. The extent of transferability or credit allowed for the course would be dependent upon the institution and the program to which the student is transferring.