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NR283 Pathophysiology
RUA: Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines
NR283 Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines V4.docx Revised: 05/2018
11
Purpose
This project is an in depth investigation of a health condition. It will allow for the expansion of knowledge and the
ability to generalize larger concepts to a variety of health conditions.
Course outcomes: This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes:
1. Explain the pathophysiologic processes of select health conditions. (PO 1)
2. Predict clinical manifestations and complications of select disease processes. (PO 1, 8)
3. Correlate lifestyle, environmental, and other influences with changes in levels of wellness. (PO 1, 7)
Due date: Your faculty member will inform you when this assignment is due. The Late Assignment Policy applies
to this assignment.
Total points possible: 100 points
Preparing the assignment
Follow these guidelines when completing this assignment. Speak with your faculty member if you have questions.
1) Select a disease process that interests you.
2) Obtain approval of the selected disease process from the course faculty.
a. Faculty will share how to submit your topic choice for approval.
3) Write a 2‐3 page paper (excluding title and reference pages).
4) Include the following sections about the selected disease process (detailed criteria listed below and in the Grading
Rubric).
a. Introduction of disease ‐ 20 points/20%
• One paragraph (approximately 200 words)
• Includes disease description
• Includes epidemiology of disease
b. Etiology and risk factors ‐ 20 points/20%
• Common causes of the disease or condition
• Risk factors for the disease or condition
• Impact of age
• Prevalence based on gender,
• Influence of environment
• Genetic basis of disease
• Lifestyle influences
• All information supported by current literature
c. Pathophysiological processes ‐ 20 points/20%
• Describes changes occurring at the cellular, tissue, and/or organ level that contribute to the disease
process.
• Describes adaptation of the cells and body in response to the disease.
• Relates disease processes to manifested signs and symptoms.
d. Clinical manifestations and complications ‐ 20 points/20%
• Describes the physical signs and symptoms that are important in considering the presence of the disease.
• Identifies signs that contribute to diagnosis of the condition
• Identifies symptoms that contribute to diagnosis of the condition.
• Identifies complications of the disease.
• Discusses the implications to the patient when complications are left untreated.
e. Diagnostics ‐ 10 points/10%
• Includes list of common laboratory and diagnostic tests used to determine the presence of the disease.
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NR283 Pathophysiology
RUA: Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines
NR283 Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines V4.docx Revised: 05/2018
21
• Discusses the significance of test findings in relation to the disease process.
f. APA Style and Organization ‐ 10 points/10%
• References are submitted with assignment.
• Uses appropriate APA format (6th ed.) and is free of errors.
• Grammar and mechanics are free of errors.
• Paper is 2‐3 pages, excluding title and reference pages
• At least two (2) scholarly, primary sources from the last 5 years, excluding the textbook, are provided
For writing assistance (APA, formatting, or grammar) visit the Citation and Writing Assistance: Writing Papers at CU
page in the online library.
NR283 Pathophysiology
RUA: Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines
NR283 Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines V4.docx Revised: 05/2018
31
Grading Rubric
Criteria are met when the student’s application of knowledge within the paper demonstrates achievement of the outcomes for this assignment.
Assignment Section and
Required Criteria
(Points possible/% of total points available)
Highest Level of
Performance
High Level of
Performance
Satisfactory
Level of
Performance
Unsatisfactory
Level of
Performance
Section not
present in
paper
Introduction of Disease
(20 points/20%) 20 points 18 points 16 points 7 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. One (approximately 200 words) paragraph
2. Includes disease description
3. Includes epidemiology of disease
Includes no fewer
than 3 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 2 requirements
for section.
Includes no less
than 1 requirement
for section.
Present, yet
includes no
required criteria.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Etiology and Risk Factors
(20 points/20%) 20 points 18 points 16 points 7 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Common causes of the disease or condition
2. Risk factors for the disease or condition
3. Impact of age
4. Prevalence based on gender
5. Influence of environment
6. Genetic basis of disease
7. Lifestyle influences
8. All information supported by current literature
Includes no fewer
than 8 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 7 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 6 requirements
for section.
Includes 5 or fewer
requirements for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Pathophysiological Processes
(20 points/20%) 20 points 18 points 16 points 7 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Describes changes occurring at the cellular, tissue,
and/or organ level that contribute to the disease
process.
2. Describes adaptation of the cells and body in
response to the disease.
3. Relates disease processes to manifested signs and
symptoms.
Includes no fewer
than 3 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 2 requirements
for section.
Includes no less than
1 requirements for
section.
Section present, yet
includes no required
criteria.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
NR283 Pathophysiology
RUA: Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines
NR283 Pathophysiological Processes Guidelines V4.docx Revised: 05/2018
41
Clinical Manifestations & Complications
(20 points/20%) 20 points 18 points 16 points 7 points 0 points
Required criteria
Describes the physical signs and symptoms that are
important in considering the presence of the disease.
1. Identifies signs that contribute to diagnosis of the
condition
2. Identifies symptoms that contribute to diagnosis of
the condition.
3. Identifies complications of the disease.
4. Discusses the implications to the patient when
complications are left untreated.
Includes no fewer
than 4 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 3 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 2 requirements
for section.
Includes 1 or fewer
requirements for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Diagnostics
(10 points/10%) 10 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. Includes list of common laboratory and diagnostic
tests used to determine the presence of the disease.
2. Discusses the significance of test findings in relation
to the disease process.
Includes no fewer than 2 requirements for section.
Includes 1 or less
requirement for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
APA Style and Organization
(10 points/10%) 10 points 9 points 8 points 4 points 0 points
Required criteria
1. References are submitted with assignment.
2. Uses appropriate APA format (6th ed.) and is free of
errors.
3. Grammar and mechanics are free of errors.
4. Paper is 2‐3 pages, excluding title and reference
pages
5. At least two (2) scholarly, primary sources from the
last 5 years, excluding the textbook, are provided
Includes no fewer
than 5 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 4 requirements
for section.
Includes no fewer
than 3 requirements
for section.
Includes 1‐2
requirements for
section.
No requirements
for this section
presented.
Total Points Possible = 100 points
