This textbook is an open educational resource based on the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) statewide nursing curriculum for the Health Alterations course (543-105), a second semester nursing course designed for students in the Practical Nursing program and the first year of the Associate Degree Nursing program. It is also aligned with the 2023 NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN test plans.

This textbook elaborates on the basic concepts of health and illness as presented in Open RN Nursing Fundamentals, 2e and builds on content presented in Open RN Nursing Skills, 2e and Open RN Nursing Pharmacology, 2e. It applies theories of nursing in the care of clients through the life span, utilizing problem-solving and critical thinking while studying common conditions affecting different body systems. Evidence-based nursing interventions are discussed while applying the nursing process. Concepts of leadership and management are also introduced. Interactive learning activities are provided in each chapter, including NCLEX Next Generation-style case studies and questions. Brief video overviews of each condition are provided in each chapter. These videos can also be accessed on the Health Alterations RN Recap Video Series playlist on the Open RN YouTube channel.

Contents

• Preface
• Standards and Conceptual Approach
• Chapter 1 Leadership Principles
  • 1.1. Leadership Introduction
  • 1.2. Leadership Skills
  • 1.3. Leadership Styles
  • 1.4. Characteristics of Effective Leadership
  • 1.5. Conflict Resolution
  • 1.6. Constructive Feedback
  • 1.7. Managing the Nursing Team
  • 1.8. Delegation and Supervision
  • 1.9. Prioritization Strategies
  • 1.10. Time Management
  • 1.11. Learning Activities
  • I. Glossary
• Chapter 2 Perioperative Care
  • 2.1. Perioperative Introduction
  • 2.2. Basic Concepts Related to Surgery
  • 2.3. Preoperative Nursing Care
  • 2.4. Intraoperative Nursing Care
  • 2.5. Postoperative Nursing Care
  • 2.6. Learning Activities
  • II. Glossary
• Chapter 3 Hematological Alterations
  • 3.1. Hematology Introduction
  • 3.2. Review of Hematology Anatomy & Physiology
  • 3.3. General Hematological System Assessment
  • 3.4. Common Hematological Disorders
  • 3.5. Anemia
  • 3.6. Iron-Deficiency Anemia
  • 3.7. Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency Anemia
  • 3.8. Sickle Cell Disease
  • 3.9. Polycythemia
  • 3.10. Thrombocytopenia
  • 3.11. Leukopenia
  • 3.12. Aplastic Anemia
  • 3.13. Learning Activities
  • III. Glossary
• Chapter 4 Malignancy and Autoimmune Alterations
  • 4.1. Autoimmune and Malignancy Introduction
  • 4.2. Review of Anatomy and Physiology of the Immune System
  • 4.3. Cancer
  • 4.4. Applying the Nursing Process to Cancer Treatment
  • 4.5. Autoimmune and Hypersensitivity Reactions
  • 4.6. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • 4.7. Learning Activities
  • IV. Glossary
• Chapter 5 Cardiovascular Alterations
  • 5.1. Cardiovascular Introduction
  • 5.2. Review of Anatomy & Physiology of the Cardiovascular System
  • 5.3. General Cardiovascular System Assessment
  • 5.4. Common Cardiovascular Disorders
  • 5.5. Hypertension
  • 5.6. Arteriosclerosis & Atherosclerosis
  • 5.7. Coronary Artery Disease
  • 5.8. Heart Failure
  • 5.9. Peripheral Arterial Disease
  • 5.10. Venous Insufficiency
  • 5.11. Deep Vein Thrombosis
  • 5.12. Aneurysm
  • 5.13. Infective Endocarditis
  • 5.14. Learning Activities
  • V. Glossary
• Chapter 6 Respiratory Alterations
  • 6.1. Respiratory Introduction
  • 6.2. Review of Anatomy and Physiology of the Respiratory System
  • 6.3. General Respiratory System Assessment and Interventions
  • 6.4. Common Respiratory Disorders
  • 6.5. Asthma
  • 6.6. COPD
  • 6.7. Pneumonia
  • 6.8. Lung Cancer
  • 6.9. Tuberculosis
  • 6.10. Respiratory Viral Infections
  • 6.11. Other Disorders of Head and Neck
  • 6.12. Learning Activities
  • VI. Glossary
• Chapter 7 Endocrine Alterations
  • 7.1. Endocrine Introduction
  • 7.2. Review of Anatomy and Physiology of the Endocrine System
  • 7.3. General Endocrine System Assessment
  • 7.4. Endocrine Disorders
  • 7.5. Diabetes Mellitus
  • 7.6. Thyroid Disorders
  • 7.7. Adrenal Disorders
  • 7.8. Parathyroid Disorders
  • 7.9. Learning Activities
  • VII. Glossary
• Chapter 8 Renal and Urinary System Alterations
  • 8.1. Renal Introduction
  • 8.2. Review of Anatomy & Physiology of the Urinary System
  • 8.3. General Urinary System Assessment
  • 8.4. Common Urinary System Disorders
  • 8.5. Acute Renal Failure
  • 8.6. Chronic Kidney Disease
  • 8.7. Cystitis
  • 8.8. Pyelonephritis
  • 8.9. Glomerulonephritis
  • 8.10. Urinary Incontinence
  • 8.11. Urolithiasis
  • 8.12. Benign Prostate Hypertrophy
  • 8.13. Bladder and Prostate Cancer
  • 8.14. Learning Activities
  • VIII. Glossary
• Chapter 9 Nervous System Alterations
  • 9.1. Neurological Introduction
  • 9.2. Review of Anatomy & Physiology of the Nervous System
  • 9.3. General Assessment of the Nervous System
  • 9.4. Common Neurological Conditions
  • 9.5. Alzheimer’s Disease
  • 9.6. Parkinson’s Disease
  • 9.7. Seizures and Epilepsy
  • 9.8. Meningitis
  • 9.9. Cerebrovascular Accident
  • 9.10. Multiple Sclerosis
  • 9.11. Myasthenia Gravis
  • 9.12. Other Nervous System Disorders
  • 9.13. Learning Activities
  • IX. Glossary
• Chapter 10 Musculoskeletal System Alterations
  • 10.1. Musculoskeletal Introduction
  • 10.2. Review of Anatomy & Physiology of the Musculoskeletal System
  • 10.3. General Musculoskeletal System Assessment
  • 10.4. Common Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • 10.5. Amputation
  • 10.6. Fracture
  • 10.7. Osteoarthritis
  • 10.8. Osteoporosis
  • 10.9. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • 10.10. Other Musculoskeletal Disorders
  • 10.11. Learning Activities
  • X. Glossary
• Chapter 11 Gastrointestinal System Alterations
  • 11.1. Gastrointestinal Introduction
  • 11.2. Review of Anatomy & Physiology of the Gastrointestinal System
  • 11.3. General Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System
  • 11.4. Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • 11.5. Appendicitis
  • 11.6. Cholecystitis
  • 11.7. Gastroenteritis
  • 11.8. Diverticulitis
  • 11.9. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
  • 11.10. Peptic Ulcer Disease
  • 11.11. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • 11.12. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • 11.13. Bowel Obstruction
  • 11.14. Hernia
  • 11.15. Hepatitis
  • 11.16. Other Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • 11.17. Learning Activities
  • XI. Glossary
• Chapter 12 Transition to Practice
  • 12.1. Transition to Practice Introduction
  • 12.2. Preparing for the NCLEX-PN
  • 12.3. Obtaining Your Nursing License
  • 12.4. Applying for a Nursing Position
  • 12.5. Transitioning to the PN Role
  • 12.6. Lifelong Learners
  • 12.7. Learning Activites
  • XII. Glossary
• Appendix A – Normal Reference Ranges
• Appendix B – Master Glossary