D115 Advanced Pathophysiology E-Portfolio – Hypertension Analysis 2025

D115 Advanced Pathophysiology E-Portfolio – Hypertension Analysis 2025

Student Name

Western Governors University

D115 Advanced Pathophysiology for the Advanced Practice Nurse

Prof. Name:

Date

PHASE 1: USING THE FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE TO LEARN AND TEACH PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

What activities are involved in Phase 1, and how should they be organized?

To begin Phase 1, review all the requirements for the Clinical Practice Experience (CPE), which includes three phases. Break down each activity into specific tasks with due dates to meet deadlines efficiently. Create a detailed schedule table in your e-portfolio that lists tasks, deadlines, and the estimated time required to complete each task. This step ensures structured time management throughout the CPE (10/7/2024, 25 minutes).

How do I apply the Feynman technique to synthesize knowledge of a disease commonly seen in primary care?

Using the Feynman technique, start by writing down your current understanding of the disease’s pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic methods. Select one disease from a list including upper respiratory infection (URI), hypertension (HTN), osteoarthritis, diabetes, depression, anxiety, pneumonia, acute otitis media (AOM), back pain/strain, atopic dermatitis, urinary tract infection (UTI), or asthma. Supplement your knowledge with textbooks, course materials, and online sources. Then, create a one-page, single-spaced simplified synthesis explaining the disease clearly and concisely, as if teaching someone with no medical background. Ensure APA formatting is applied appropriately for citations and references. Upload this synthesis to your e-portfolio (10/13/2024, 2-3 hours).

How should I assess and improve my synthesis?

After drafting your synthesis, conduct a self-assessment focusing on clarity and accuracy. Document your reflections and describe any revisions needed. Use this feedback to enhance your synthesis before finalizing it for your e-portfolio (10/13/2024, 1 hour).

What is involved in the GoReact video reflection?

Record a 3–5 minute video reflecting on your learning process, challenges, and insights gained while preparing the synthesis. Address the steps you followed, new knowledge acquired, difficulties faced in self-assessment, and how you utilized feedback to improve your work. After posting your video, watch two peers’ videos and provide constructive feedback. Capture screenshots of your video and peer responses to include in your portfolio (1/16/2025, 1 hour).

What evidence should be included in the e-portfolio for Phase 1?

1. The CPE schedule table with tasks and timelines

2. One-page Feynman simplified synthesis of the chosen disease, formatted in APA style

3. Three screenshots documenting the GoReact reflection video and responses to peers

4. A written summary of your video reflection

PHASE 1 CPE SCHEDULE TABLE

PHASE 1 Feynman Simplified Synthesis: Hypertension

What is hypertension?
Hypertension refers to elevated blood pressure, the force exerted by blood against arterial walls. Normal blood pressure is approximately 120/80 mmHg. Hypertension is classified into two stages: Stage 1 (systolic 130-139 mmHg and/or diastolic 80-89 mmHg) and Stage 2 (systolic ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥90 mmHg). The condition typically develops gradually due to genetic factors, poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking (Huether & McCance, 2019).

What are the clinical signs?
Hypertension usually presents no early symptoms. Manifestations emerge mostly from complications such as kidney impairment, vision loss, edema, central nervous system issues, and vascular blockages (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.; Huether & McCance, 2019).

How is hypertension diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves taking a thorough history and performing physical and family history assessments. Blood pressure measurements must be averaged over two or more visits, with proper patient positioning and conditions (rested for 5 minutes, no caffeine/smoking prior). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over 24 hours may help differentiate “white-coat” and “masked” hypertension. Lab tests can include electrolytes, glucose, urinalysis, thyroid function, lipid profile, and ECG to evaluate secondary causes and organ damage (Huether & McCance, 2019; Block & Badile, 2024).

PHASE 2: REFINEMENT WITH ADVANCED PROFESSIONAL FEEDBACK

What steps are taken in Phase 2?

Repeat the review and planning process for all CPE activities and update your schedule accordingly (10/7/2024, 25 minutes).

How do I collaborate with advanced nurses or colleagues?

Present your initial synthesis to experienced nurses or healthcare professionals for feedback. Request specific input on clarity, accuracy, and potential analogies to improve understanding. Record the feedback and describe planned revisions. Use this to refine your synthesis and upload the updated document to your e-portfolio (10/13/2024, 1 hour).

What should be included in the GoReact reflection for Phase 2?

Create a 3–5 minute video reflecting on your process, any new insights gained, challenges in presenting, and how feedback influenced your revisions. Watch two peer videos and provide feedback. Save screenshots for your portfolio (1/16/2025, 45 minutes).

What evidence is required for Phase 2?

1. Updated pathophysiology synthesis with APA formatting

2. Three GoReact screenshots: your video and peer responses

3. Written summary of your video reflection

PHASE 2 CPE SCHEDULE TABLE

PHASE 2 REFINED SYNTHESIS: Hypertension (Expanded)

Definition and Pathophysiology
Hypertension is a condition characterized by elevated arterial blood pressure, exerting force against vessel walls. Normal levels are 120/80 mmHg; values above this are staged into Stage 1 (130-139/80-89 mmHg) and Stage 2 (≥140/≥90 mmHg). Causes include genetic predisposition, unhealthy lifestyle, and environmental factors. Prolonged hypertension increases risks for cardiovascular events and organ damage (Huether & McCance, 2019).

Symptoms
Typically asymptomatic in early stages, symptoms arise mainly from damage to organs such as kidneys, eyes, and the nervous system (CDC, n.d.).

Diagnostic Procedures
Diagnosis involves repeated, standardized blood pressure measurements, 24-hour ambulatory monitoring for diagnostic clarity, and laboratory tests evaluating organ damage and secondary causes such as kidney disease or endocrine disorders (Huether & McCance, 2019; Block & Badile, 2024).

Risk Factors
Risk factors include age, ethnicity (higher risk in African Americans), family history, tobacco use, stress, sleep apnea, diet high in sodium, low potassium, diabetes, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption. Many risk factors are modifiable through lifestyle changes (Block & Badile, 2024; Huether & McCance, 2019).

PHASE 3: CONSUMER-FOCUSED SYNTHESIS

How do I maintain progress and adjust timelines?

Review and adjust your CPE schedule as needed to remain on track (10/7/2024, 20 minutes).

How is the consumer-focused synthesis developed?

Using your refined research and synthesis, simplify the explanation of the disease, focusing on easy-to-understand language. This version should describe the disease, symptoms, diagnosis, and prevention in terms understandable to the general public. Include citations with links where possible (1/10/2025, 2 hours).

What is the role of healthcare consumers in this phase?

Present your consumer-focused synthesis to healthcare consumers such as peers, family members, or students. Gather feedback on clarity, simplicity, and comprehension. Use this feedback to improve your communication and educational skills. Include the final consumer-focused synthesis in your portfolio (1/10/2025, 1-2 hours).

What is required in the Phase 3 GoReact reflection?

Record a 3–5 minute video reflecting on your process, challenges in simplification, integration of symptoms and diagnosis, and how feedback influenced improvements. Provide peer feedback after viewing their videos and capture screenshots for documentation (1/16/2025, 1 hour).

What evidence should be included for Phase 3?

1. One-page consumer-focused synthesis with APA formatting

2. Three GoReact screenshots: video and peer responses

3. Written reflection summary

PHASE 3 CPE SCHEDULE TABLE

PHASE 3 CONSUMER SYNTHESIS: Hypertension

What is hypertension?
Hypertension means having higher than normal blood pressure — the force of blood pushing on artery walls. Normal pressure is 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure over this is split into Stage 1 (130-139/80-89 mmHg) and Stage 2 (140/90 mmHg or higher). It develops gradually and can be caused by genes, poor diet, inactivity, and smoking (Huether & McCance, 2019).

What are the risk factors and prevention strategies?
In 2022, hypertension contributed to over 685,000 deaths in the U.S. Risk factors include age, race, family history, smoking, stress, poor sleep, high salt intake, diabetes, and obesity. Some of these, like diet and exercise, can be changed to lower risk. African Americans tend to develop hypertension earlier with more complications. Secondary causes include medications, kidney disease, and endocrine disorders (CDC, n.d.; Block & Badile, 2024).

What symptoms might I notice?
Hypertension often has no early symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually result from damage to organs such as kidneys or eyes (Huether & McCance, 2019).

How is hypertension diagnosed?
Doctors will check your blood pressure several times under controlled conditions. Sometimes, you may wear a monitor at home to record readings over 24 hours. Blood and urine tests and heart monitoring help determine if hypertension is affecting your organs or has another cause (Huether & McCance, 2019; Block & Badile, 2024).

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About high blood pressure. https://www.cdc.gov/high-blood-pressure/about/index.html

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. I. (2019). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (8th ed.). Elsevier.

D115 Advanced Pathophysiology E-Portfolio – Hypertension Analysis 2025

Block, M. J., & Badile, J. N. (2024, October 18). Overview of hypertension in adults. UpToDate. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-hypertension-in-adults?search=hypertension&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1