Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology is the scientific study of functional changes that occur in the body as a result of disease or injury. The field covers areas such as endocrine dysfunction, neurological impairment, and organ system failure, which connect directly to anatomy and physiology and clinical medicine. Understanding pathophysiology prepares students for careers in nursing, medicine, and allied health professions by explaining how normal physiological processes become disrupted in disease states.

• Interpret laboratory values and diagnostic findings in disease contexts
• Apply disease mechanisms to predict clinical manifestations and complications
• Analyze how cellular injury progresses to organ system dysfunction
• Explain the pathophysiological basis for pharmacological interventions
• Evaluate risk factors and etiology for common disease processes
• Connect normal physiology to pathological changes in body systems