NURS 6501: Advanced Pathophysiology

Module 2 Case Study Analysis – Cardiovascular and Respiratory Alterations

Course and Assessment

Course code/title: NURS 6501 – Advanced Pathophysiology

Program level: MSN / APRN / DNP-entry (US case-study assignment)

Assessment label: Week 4 Assignment – Case Study Analysis (Assessment 2)

Assessment type: Individual written case study analysis

Length requirement: 1–2 page paper (approximately 600–900 words, excluding title page and references) aligned with current NURS 6501 module case-study expectations.

Weighting: 20–30% of course grade (local program may adjust)

Submission format: Typed, double-spaced, 12-point readable font, current APA (7th ed.) style, submitted via the institutional LMS

Assignment Overview

Graduate-level advanced practice nurses must interpret subtle alterations in cardiovascular and respiratory function and explicitly connect symptoms to underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms. Case study analysis assignments are standard in advanced pathophysiology courses and typically require a focused written explanation that links patient presentation to disease processes and relevant patient characteristics.

In this Week 4 task, you will analyze an assigned case study, identify the most likely pathophysiologic process, justify a prioritized differential diagnosis list, and explain how specific patient variables influence disease expression and risk. This requires synthesizing clinical findings with mechanistic reasoning and applying evidence-based knowledge to justify diagnostic conclusions.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

• Analyze key alterations in cardiovascular and respiratory physiology in response to acute presentations.

• Link symptoms, risk factors, and investigation findings to underlying disease mechanisms at organ, tissue, and cellular levels.

• Construct and justify differential diagnoses for complex cardiorespiratory presentations.

• Evaluate how patient characteristics modify pathophysiologic risk and presentation.

• Communicate advanced pathophysiologic reasoning in clear graduate-level academic writing.

Case Study Scenario (Assigned by Instructor)

Your instructor will allocate a specific Week 4 cardiovascular or respiratory case scenario. Typical scenarios include:

• Acute pulmonary embolism

• Myocardial infarction or unstable angina

• Acute decompensated heart failure

• Asthma or COPD exacerbation

• Combined cardiac and respiratory compromise

Example Scenario (Development Only)

A 45-year-old woman presents with progressive shortness of breath, pleuritic chest pain, and unilateral leg swelling after prolonged immobility during travel. She has obesity, uses oral contraceptives, and demonstrates tachycardia and reduced oxygen saturation. Diagnostic findings indicate elevated D-dimer and proximal deep vein thrombosis.

Assignment Task Instructions

Develop a 1–2 page case study analysis using the following required headings.

1. Introduction

• Identify the primary clinical problem and organ systems involved.

• State your provisional working diagnosis clearly.

2. Pathophysiologic Mechanisms

• Explain key mechanisms underlying the patient’s presentation.

• Connect at least three symptoms or findings to underlying processes.

• Use precise pathophysiology terminology.

3. Differential Diagnosis and Justification

• Present at least two to three differential diagnoses.

• Compare expected pathophysiology with patient presentation.

• Identify and justify the most likely diagnosis.

4. Influence of Patient Characteristics

• Analyze how factors such as age, sex, comorbidities, and social determinants influence disease risk and progression.

• Support discussion with evidence where appropriate.

5. Implications for Patient Health and Advanced Practice

• Discuss short- and medium-term implications for patient outcomes.

• Identify priority areas for advanced practice intervention.

6. Conclusion

• Summarize the primary pathophysiologic process and rationale.

• Reflect on implications for clinical reasoning.

Evidence and Referencing Requirements

• Include at least two to three recent scholarly sources (2018–2026).

• Use APA 7th edition in-text citations and reference list.

• Prioritize peer-reviewed journal articles and authoritative sources.

Formatting and Academic Integrity Requirements

• Length: 600–900 words of main text.

• Use required headings.

• Double-spaced, 12-point font, standard margins.

• Follow APA formatting.

• Submit original work adhering to academic integrity policies.

Analytic Scoring Rubric

Advanced pathophysiology education emphasizes the integration of mechanistic knowledge with clinical reasoning to support accurate diagnosis and effective intervention planning. Understanding how disturbances in hemodynamics, ventilation-perfusion relationships, and inflammatory responses interact allows advanced practice nurses to anticipate disease progression and implement timely management strategies. Evidence indicates that strong mechanistic reasoning skills correlate with improved diagnostic accuracy and patient safety outcomes in complex cardiorespiratory conditions (Konstantinides et al., 2020).

 Scholarly References

Konstantinides, S.V. et al., 2020. European Society of Cardiology guidelines for acute pulmonary embolism. European Heart Journal, 41(4), pp.543-603.

McGill, N. et al., 2022. Sex differences in pulmonary embolism outcomes. Thrombosis Research, 219, pp.1-8.

Chalmers, J.D. et al., 2022. Pathophysiology of acute respiratory failure. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 10(5), pp.451-464.

MacLeod, M. et al., 2021. Integrating pathophysiology and assessment in nurse practitioner practice. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 33(10), pp.826-834.

Jordan, R.E. et al., 2021. Covid-19 and cardiovascular mechanisms. BMJ, 372, n485.

Levett-Jones, T. et al., 2021. Clinical reasoning and patient safety in advanced nursing practice. Nurse Education Today, 98, 104689.