Standard

PTA 201 - Pathology I

Course Description

Surveys injuries and diseases commonly treated by physical therapist assistants. Emphasizes recognizing and responding to acute changes in patient's physiological status and orthopedic and medical conditions. Topics include: recognition of acute physiological status change, recognition of acute orthopedic conditions, recognition of acute medical conditions, response procedures for acute physiological status change, response procedures for acute changes in orthopedic conditions, and response procedures for acute changes in medical conditions.

Competency Areas		Hours
Recognition of Acute Physiological Status Change		Class	8
Recognition of Acute Orthopedic Conditions		D. Lab	1
Recognition of Acute Medical Conditions		P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Response Procedures for Acute Physiological Status Change		Credit	8
Response Procedures for Acute Changes in Orthopedic Conditions
Response Procedures for Acute Changes in Medical Conditions
Prerequisite:	PTA 102, PTA 103, PTA 104
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
RECOGNITION OF ACUTE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS CHANGE		10	0	0
Introduction	Define pathology, etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and symptom.
	Explain general causes of disease and methods of disease diagnosis.
	Differentiate between acute disease and chronic disease.
	Describe structural and functional disease.
	Discuss the healing process and factors which affect the body's ability to deal with disease.
Anatomy and physiology	Define congenital deformities and describe the etiology.
	Identify various specific congenital deformities with regard to incidence, clinical picture, cause, and overall prognosis.
	Explain the functions of the digestive tract.
	Compare and describe components of the upper digestive tract and the lower digestive tract.
	Identify anatomy of the liver including structure and blood supply.
	Discuss the functions of the liver.
	Discuss etiology and symptoms of gall stones and cholecystitis.
	Identify the hormone and enzymes secreted by the pancreas.
	Examine the etiology, clinical picture, and treatment of diabetes mellitus.
	Explain the function and structure of the urinary system.
Conditions	Define congenital deformities and describe the etiology.
	Identify various specific congenital deformities with regard to incidence, clinical picture, cause, and overall prognosis.
	Define atrophy and list common causes of atrophy.
	Define hypertrophy and differentiate between physiological and pathological hypertrophy.
	Define inflammation and explain its important.
	Discuss the changes which take place with inflammation.
	Describe types of dermatitis.
	Describe the different degrees of burns.
	Explain psychological effects involved in burn care.
	Discuss indigestion.
	Describe vomiting and explain its causes.
	Discuss bladder function tests.
RECOGNITION OF ACUTE ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS		10	1	0
Introduction	Define orthopedics.
Anatomy and physiology	Describe the formation of bone. Explain the components of a joint.
Conditions	Describe the most advantageous positions of joint fixation at various joints.
	Identify various specific congenital deformities with regard to incidence, clinical picture, cause, and overall prognosis.
	Define congenital deformities and describe the etiology.
Etiology of scoliosis	Discuss types of scoliosis including progressive, nonprogressive, functional, and structural curves.
	Discuss etiology of scoliosis.
Treatment of scoliosis	Demonstrate exercises for a scoliosis patient and discuss the goals of treatment.
RECOGNITION OF ACUTE MEDICAL CONDITIONS		10	0	0
Introduction	Identify the cause of pathologic bone changes.
	Differentiate between the types of joint and bone disease.
	Describe the healing process.
Anatomy and physiology	Explain the functions of the digestive tract.
	Compare and describe components of the upper digestive tract and the lower digestive tract.
	Identify anatomy of the liver including structure and blood supply.
	Discuss the functions of the liver.
	Discuss etiology and symptoms of gall stones and cholecystitis.
	Identify the function of the pancreas.
	Examine the etiology, clinical picture, and treatment of diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis.
	Explain the function and structure of the urinary system.
Conditions	Define arthritis.
	Discuss chronic arthritis and describe its effect on specific joints.
	Define edema and discuss its effects.
	Identify and discuss factors which can cause edema.
	Define inflammation and explain its importance.
	Discuss the changes which take place with inflammation.
	List signs of inflammation.
	Describe types of dermatitis.
	Discuss indigestion.
	Describe vomiting and explain its causes.
	Describe carcinoma of the breast.
RESPONSE PROCEDURES FOR ACUTE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS CHANGE		17	3	0
Procedures	Describe the healing process as it applies to physiological condition.
	Identify the appropriate clinical response to various specific congenital deformities.
	Describe the different degrees of burns.
	Explain the "Rule of Nines."
	Describe immediate burn care and intermediate burn care.
	List complications that might occur with burn patients.
	Discuss physical therapy's role regarding burn patients.
	Explain psychological effects involved in burn care.
RESPONSE PROCEDURES FOR ACUTE CHANGES IN ORTHOPEDIC CONDITIONS		17	3	0
Procedures	Identify various orthopedic procedures used in arthritic conditions.
	Describe the most advantageous positions of joint fixation at various joints.
	Discuss the changes which take place with inflammation.
	List signs of inflammation.
	Describe carcinoma of the breast and its effects on the musculoskeletal system, especially of the upper extremity.
RESPONSE PROCEDURES FOR ACUTE CHANGES IN MEDICAL CONDITIONS		16	3	0
Procedures	Examine the etiology, clinical picture, and treatment of diabetes mellitus and cystic fibrosis.
	Describe carcinoma of the breast.
	Describe catheter care as it pertains to PT.

Suggested Resource

Book

Brashear, H. R., & Raney, R. B. (1986). Handbook of orthopaedic surgery. St. Louis: Mosby.