PTA-225: Applied Pathology for PTAs

School
Health and Human Services
Division
Health Careers
Department
Physical Therapy Assistant
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Physical Therapist Assistant
Course Number
225
Course Title
Applied Pathology for PTAs
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
BIO-234 (with a C or better), PTA-102, PTA-110, PTA-168, and PTA-132
Catalog Course Description

Examines the signs, symptoms, etiology, course, prognosis, medical intervention, and treatment of diseases with an emphasis on diseases commonly encountered in physical therapy. Medical Terminology will be reinforced. Also highlights patient care with emphasis on physical therapy interventions relevant to the body system involved in various pathologies. Topics include aseptic technique and wound care, cardiac rehabilitation and chest physiotherapy (CPT), and selected manual therapy techniques. Guided lab setting.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Biopsychosocial and Environmental aspects of Pathology
  2. Immune System
  3. Infectious diseases
  4. Handwashing / Universal Precautions
  5. Integumentary System: Tissue Healing
  6. Integumentary System: Skin Disease, Burns, Ulcers
  7. Integumentary System: Wound Care / Sterile Procedures
  8. Cardiopulmonary System: Cardiovascular System
  9. Cardiopulmonary System: Respiratory System
  10. Cardiopulmonary System: Vital Signs
  11. Cardiopulmonary System: Chest PT
  12. Neuromuscular System: Nervous System, Neuroanatomy
  13. Neuromuscular System: Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  14. Neuromuscular System: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Epilepsy, Degenerative Diseases
  15. Musculoskeletal Skystem: Diseases, Disorders
  16. Other Systems: Hepatic
  17. Other Systems: Endocrine
  18. Other Systems: Oncology
  19. Other Systems: Hematology
  20. Acute and ICU Care
Core Course Learning Objectives (Separated)
  1. Identify organs and describe the functions of selected organ systems.
  2. Use common prefixes, suffixes, and terminology in describing the pathology of various diseases, trauma, and/or their development.
  3. Describe the changes in the body in response to cellular injury, acute and chronic inflammation, and bacterial/viral/fungal infections.
  4. Describe the etiology, pathology, signs, symptoms, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases.
  5. Discuss epidemiologic factors (incidence, disease outcomes, and risk factors) for selected pathologic conditions.
  6. Discuss environmental toxins and their role in the development of certain pathologic conditions.
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of health care and their effect on disease processes.
  8. Describe the clinical manifestations and clinical implications of selected psychopathologic disorders across the life span including but not limited to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, organic brain syndrome, phobias, and conversion disorders.
  9. Describe the role of physical therapy intervention, specifically the role of the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), on commonly seen pathologic disorders across the life span.
  10. Describe an actual patient’s experience with a pathologic disorder through an interview process.
  11. Define normal ranges for vital signs of infants, children, and adults at rest.
  12. Outline the factors that may cause vital signs to vary at rest and during activity.
  13. Demonstrate the ability to obtain accurate measures of the following vitals- radial pulse, carotid pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse oximetry at rest, during or after activity.
  14. Differentiate normal from abnormal cardiopulmonary responses during Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs), and exercise and identify and respond to signs of distress.
  15. Identify autonomic responses of papillary reactions, alertness, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, nausea, and diaphoresis to positional changes.
  16. Identify normal and abnormal thoracoabdominal movements, breathing patterns, and cough with activity and at rest, through observation without the use of a stethoscope.
  17. Perform and instruct patient in proper and safe airway clearance techniques including cough, chest PT, and breathing strategies.
  18. Identify normal and abnormal characteristics of the integumentary system and wounds through observation and report.
  19. Identify activities, positioning, postures, and adaptive devices that aggravate the skin/wound/scar or can produce additional skin trauma.
  20. Identify various types and characteristics of burns, pressure sores and other wounds.
  21. Suggest assistive and adaptive devices to protect wounds and promote healing and apply these devices correctly and safely.
  22. Apply and remove selective dressings or agents including identifying precautions for dressing removal and types of debridement.
  23. Explain the rationale of standard precautions in infection control.
  24. Demonstrate sterile techniques and proper procedure for handwashing.
  25. Review medical health record and identify normal and abnormal lab values.
  26. Describe the function/purpose of various equipment typically encountered in the Acute and ICU setting and identify the impact and precautions of such equipment on physical therapy treatment.

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement
The assessment standard will consist of written exams, various class projects, written assignments, check-offs, a written final exam, and a comprehensive lab exam.
General Course Requirements and Recommendations

Students must pass this course with a “C” or better to remain in the PTA Program. They must also pass at least one of the written exams, with 80% or higher, in order to pass this course. Students must demonstrate competence in all lab check-offs according to the PTA Program Student Handbook. For each written exam the student does not pass, he/she will also be required to complete a written review of the exam to be submitted to the instructor prior to taking the final exam.

Students must complete BIO 234 or equivalent to be enrolled in this course.

Instructors (or their designees) reserve the right to require students to provide picture identification for test taking, graded papers or projects or other appropriate purposes.

Texts
to be determined by program faculty.

Outcomes

Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Effective Term
Winter 2022