Capella 4015 Assessment 2

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Capella university

NURS-FPX4015 Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment: A Holistic Approach to Patient-Centered Care

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Enhancing Holistic Nursing Care with the 3Ps

Holistic nursing care is an integrative practice that addresses the multifaceted nature of human health, encompassing physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual domains. When combined with the “3Ps”—pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment—this approach allows nurses to deliver comprehensive, person-centered care. These foundational domains enable nurses to grasp the intricacies of disease, tailor pharmacologic treatments, and apply nuanced clinical judgment. This synthesis is not only essential for delivering safe and effective care but also supports improved patient outcomes through evidence-informed practice across diverse healthcare environments.

Holistic Nursing Care and the 3Ps

The Concept of Holistic Nursing Care

Holistic nursing care is a patient-centered model that treats individuals as whole beings. It integrates clinical competence with therapeutic presence, empathy, and cultural sensitivity (Ambushe et al., 2023). This model moves beyond traditional task-based nursing, focusing instead on building trust and understanding patients’ broader life contexts. The holistic approach enhances care quality by considering psychological stressors, environmental influences, and the patient’s belief systems alongside physical health. This comprehensive care model also benefits nurses by fostering deeper engagement with their work, reducing burnout, and increasing professional satisfaction.

Pathophysiology in Nursing

Pathophysiology bridges theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing nurses to understand how diseases alter normal body function. It enhances early detection, risk anticipation, and clinical intervention. For example, in chronic kidney disease (CKD), understanding nephron deterioration helps nurses recognize and manage symptoms like fluid imbalance or hypertension. This knowledge further supports emotional and lifestyle considerations relevant to chronic illness management. By embedding pathophysiology into daily practice, nurses elevate their diagnostic accuracy and make informed, person-centered care plans (Peate, 2022).

Pharmacology in Practice

Pharmacology provides critical knowledge for safe medication administration, including drug mechanisms, side effects, and interactions. However, effective use also requires contextualizing medication within a patient’s life. For instance, administering sertraline for anxiety requires monitoring for side effects and ensuring patient understanding, while also considering emotional readiness and social support systems (Edinoff et al., 2021). Similarly, for a diabetic patient facing economic barriers, nurses must recognize how social determinants influence medication efficacy. Integrating pharmacologic expertise with holistic care can significantly reduce adverse drug events and improve adherence (Han et al., 2024).

Physical Assessment as a Diagnostic Tool

Physical assessments enable nurses to evaluate the full scope of a patient’s condition using standardized techniques like palpation, auscultation, and inspection. These observations are paired with subjective input and medical history to build a comprehensive patient profile (Toney-Butler & Unison-Pace, 2023). For example, identifying orthostatic hypotension in an elderly patient through postural blood pressure measurements can prevent falls and guide treatment adjustments. Ongoing assessments also allow for timely evaluations of care interventions, supporting continual refinement of treatment plans based on patient feedback and physiological changes (Fontenot et al., 2022).

Integration of the 3Ps in Clinical Practice

The integration of pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment in clinical settings enables comprehensive care tailored to the complexity of each patient case. A key benefit of this integration is enhanced decision-making in acute or evolving health scenarios.

Clinical Application Table

Clinical Scenario	Pathophysiology Focus	Pharmacologic Intervention	Physical Assessment Role
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)	Insulin deficiency causing hyperglycemia and ketosis	IV insulin and fluid management	Monitor for dehydration, Kussmaul respirations, LOC changes
Acute Asthma Exacerbation	Bronchial inflammation and bronchoconstriction	Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol), corticosteroids	Assess respiratory rate, auscultate for wheezing, SpO₂

These examples illustrate the interdependent nature of clinical knowledge in nursing. In DKA, understanding metabolic acidosis enables precise insulin titration, while physical assessments guide fluid resuscitation efforts. In asthma care, pathophysiologic awareness supports early recognition of respiratory compromise, while pharmacologic and physical assessments monitor treatment response. Such integration not only ensures safety and timeliness but also aligns with patient-centered values by addressing holistic needs throughout the care process (El-Remessy, 2022; Ambushe et al., 2023).

Conclusion

The integration of holistic care principles with the 3Ps—pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment—enables nurses to deliver multidimensional, patient-focused care. Holistic nursing fosters healing by acknowledging and addressing the complete spectrum of human experience. Pathophysiology enhances diagnostic accuracy, pharmacology ensures safe and appropriate medication use, and physical assessment offers vital insights into a patient’s evolving condition. Together, these domains empower nurses to make informed, compassionate, and personalized clinical decisions that improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of care across all settings.

References

Ambushe, S. A., Awoke, N., Demissie, B. W., & Tekalign, T. (2023). Holistic nursing care practice and associated factors among nurses in public hospitals of Wolaita zone, South Ethiopia. BMC Nursing, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01517-0

Edinoff, A. N., Akuly, H. A., Hanna, T. A., Ochoa, C. O., Patti, S. J., Ghaffar, Y. A., Kaye, A. D., Viswanath, O., Urits, I., Boyer, A. G., Cornett, E. M., & Kaye, A. M. (2021). Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and adverse effects: A narrative review. Neurology International, 13(3), 387–401. https://doi.org/10.3390/neurolint13030038

Capella 4015 Assessment 2

El-Remessy, A. B. (2022). Diabetic ketoacidosis management: Updates and challenges for specific patient population. Endocrines, 3(4), 801–812. https://doi.org/10.3390/endocrines3040066

Fontenot, N. M., Hamlin, S. K., Hooker, S. J., Vazquez, T., & Chen, H. (2022). Physical assessment competencies for nurses: A quality improvement initiative. Nursing Forum, 57(4), 710–716. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12725

Han, Y., Chen, J., Xu, Y., Huang, P., & Hou, L. (2024). Nurse-led medication management as a critical component of transitional care for preventing drug-related problems. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-024-02799-3

Peate, I. (2022). Pathophysiology applied to nursing: The basis for disease and illness. British Journal of Nursing, 31(2), 72–74. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2022.31.2.72

Capella 4015 Assessment 2

Toney-Butler, T., & Unison-Pace, W. (2023). Nursing admission assessment and examination. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493211/