Renee Borromeo

PSU Mont Alto

Bio:

Renee Borromeo is program director for the Associate in Science in Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Penn State Mont Alto and the program head for Physical Therapist Assistant, University College. She teaches courses in kinesiology, therapeutic exercise, pathophysiology, and pediatrics. She has developed several service learning projects, both independently and in collaboration with students and faculty in Occupational Therapy and Forest Technology. Borromeo also coordinates Penn State Mont Alto’s MedCamp, a summer day camp for high school students interested in careers in medicine and health care.

Education:

B.S., James Madison University, Physical Education, 1981

M.A., Stanford University, Physical Therapy, 1983

D.P.T., Shenandoah University, Physical Therapy, 2011

Research Interests:

Development of motor skills in infants, orthopedics, instructional methodology

Project Details

Physical Therapy Assistant 270 Authoring Project

Course Goals:

Though completion of this course, PTA students should gain a working knowledge of the physiology of diseases and conditions commonly seen in physical therapy practice.

Proposal Plan:

“I would like to develop more H5P-type content to include in the book; things like drag-and-drop activities with text or images, questions added to videos, and any other “check your knowledge” activities that might be available. I have heard about some virtual reality resources that might be available, such as taking a journey through the heart, that I would love to learn more about and incorporate into the Pressbook. I would very much like to take full advantage of the resources available to me through Teaching and Learning with Technology Innovation and University libraries to add to materials in my existing chapters and to continue to add chapters to the Pressbook. In addition, I would like to develop some additional content for new chapters, including: Introduction, Injury, Inflammation and Healing, the Immune System, and Infection.”

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the student should be able to:

Introduction to Pathophysiology
- Define basic terminology used in the discussion of pathophysiology.
- Discuss cultural, ethnic, geographical, and age-related differences regarding health and illness.
- Discuss the ICF Disablement Model: define terms associated with it and discuss its relevance to physical therapy.
Injury, Inflammation and Healing
- Discuss the mechanisms of cell injury.
- Discuss the processes involved in reversible and irreversible cell injury.
- Discuss the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, stages, and complications of acute and chronic inflammation.
- Discuss the types of healing, factors affecting healing, and the complications of healing.
The Immune System
- Discuss the types of immunity.
- Define the basic terminology associated with immune system function and dysfunction.
- Discuss factors affecting immunity, including age.
- Discuss immune suppression and associated risks.
- Discuss the effects of exercise on the immune system.
- Describe autoimmune disease and list examples.
- Discuss immunodeficiency.
- Discuss hypersensitivity reactions.

Infection
- Define the basic terminology associated with infection.
- Discuss micro-organisms that cause infection.
- Explain the principles of infection including transmission, host resistance, pathogenicity of micro-organisms, and control of transmission.
- Discuss the development of selected infections, including onset, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, and precautions.
- Discuss antibiotic-resistant organisms and implications for health care workers.
- Discuss basic diagnosis and medical management of infectious conditions.

The Pulmonary System
- Define the basic terminology associated with pulmonary disorders.
- Discuss general risk factors associated with diseases and conditions affecting the pulmonary system.
- Define lung volumes and capacities.
- Identify general signs and symptoms associated with pulmonary conditions.
- Discuss risk factors, etiologic factors, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations for the following respiratory conditions:
  1. pneumonia
  2. pulmonary tuberculosis
  3. chronic bronchitis
  4. emphysema
  5. asthma
  6. atelectasis
  7. bronchiectasis
  8. pulmonary edema
  9. pulmonary fibrosis
  10. cystic fibrosis
  11. pulmonary embolism
  12. lung cancer
  13. acute respiratory distress syndrome
  14. pleural space conditions
  15. sleep apnea
- Differentiate between upper, middle and lower respiratory conditions.
- Differentiate between obstructive and restrictive pulmonary disorders.
- Compare obstructive disorders.
- Differentiate between chronic and acute respiratory conditions.
- Relate abnormal breath sounds and pulmonary function test results to selected conditions.
- Describe cough and sputum characteristics and relate to respiratory conditions.
- Discuss ventilatory support and oxygen therapy.
- Describe the lifestyle changes recommended for the prevention and treatment of pulmonary conditions.
- Discuss basic medical diagnosis of pulmonary disorders.
- Describe medical, surgical and physical therapy interventions associated with pulmonary conditions.
- Describe the pharmacological management of pulmonary conditions.
- Discuss precautions, indications and contraindications to be considered in physical therapy interventions for patients with pulmonary conditions.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of acute respiratory distress and discuss appropriate course of action.
Cardiovascular System
- Define the basic terminology associated with cardiovascular disorders.
- Discuss general risk factors associated with diseases and conditions affecting the cardiovascular system.
- Identify general signs and symptoms associated with cardiovascular conditions.
- Discuss risk factors, etiologic factors, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations for the following vascular conditions:
  1. Hypertension
  2. Hypotension
  3. Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis
  4. Peripheral vascular disease
  5. Deep venous thrombosis, embolism, and phlebitis
  6. Aneurysm
- Discuss risk factors, etiologic factors, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations for the following cardiac conditions:
  1. Heart failure
  2. Arrhythmia
  3. Myocardial infarction
  4. Angina pectoris
  5. Coronary artery disease
  6. Valvular disorders
  7. Infectious disorders
  8. Cardiomyopathy
- Describe the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of the following congenital conditions:
  1. Atrial Septal Defect
  2. Ventricular Septal Defect
  3. Tetralogy of Fallot
  4. Patent Ductus Arteriosus
  5. Describe the dietary and lifestyle changes recommended for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions.
- Discuss basic medical diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders.
- Describe medical, surgical and physical therapy interventions associated with cardiovascular conditions.
- Describe the pharmacological management of cardiovascular conditions.
- Discuss precautions, indications and contraindications to be considered in physical therapy interventions for patients with cardiovascular conditions.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of acute cardiovascular distress and discuss appropriate course of action.
The Hematologic and Lymphatic Systems
- Define the basic terminology associated with blood and lymphatic disorders.
- Discuss signs and symptoms of blood and lymphatic disorders.
- Discuss basic medical diagnosis of blood and lymphatic disorders.
- Relate abnormal blood values to selected disorders.
- Discuss risk factors, etiologic factors, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations for the following blood and lymphatic conditions:
  1. Hemophilia
  2. Thrombocytosis
  3. Thrombocytopenia
  4. Polycythemia
  5. Anemia
  6. Leukocytosis
  7. Leukocytopenia
  8. Leukemia
  9. Lymphoma
  10. Lymphedema
- Describe medical, surgical and physical therapy interventions associated with blood and lymphatic conditions.
- Describe the pharmacological management of blood and lymphatic conditions.
- Discuss precautions, indications and contraindications to be considered in physical therapy interventions for patients with blood and lymphatic conditions.

Musculoskeletal System
- Define the basic terminology associated with musculoskeletal disorders.
- Discuss the effects of aging on the musculoskeletal system.
- Discuss basic medical diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Discuss risk factors, etiologic factors, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations for the following musculoskeletal conditions:
  1. Osteoporosis
  2. Osteomalacia
  3. Paget’s disease of the Bone
  4. Osteochondrosis
  5. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
  6. Osgood-Schlatter disease
  7. osteoarthritis
  8. degenerative intervertebral disc disease
  9. ankylosing spondylitis
  10. rheumatoid arthritis
  11. other forms of arthritis (gout, septic, psoriatic, Lyme)
  12. osteomyelitis
  13. infection of prothestheses and implants
  14. inflammatory muscle disease
  15. myopathy
  16. bone fracture
  17. sprains
  18. strains
  19. tendinitis
  20. bursitis
  21. dislocation and subluxation
  22. fibromyalgia
- Describe medical, surgical and physical therapy interventions associated with musculoskeletal conditions.
- Describe the pharmacological management of musculoskeletal conditions.
- Discuss precautions, indications and contraindications to be considered in physical therapy interventions for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Endocrine and Metabolic Systems
- Explain the function of the pancreas.
- Describe the function of insulin.
- Define diabetes mellitus.
- Discuss the differences between Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus.
- Discuss pathophysiological effects of diabetes mellitus.
- List the risk factors for and signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus.
- Discuss the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
- Define insulin shock and ketoacidosis.
- Discuss the role of the PTA in the treatment and control of diabetes.
- Discuss the importance of education of patients and family members about risk factors, potential complications, treatments, and the importance of diet, exercise, and maintenance of appropriate blood sugar levels.
- Discuss the function and normal secretions of the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands.
- Identify disorders associated with hypo/hyper functions of each of the above glands.
- Discuss metabolic disorders, focusing on causes, effects, complications, and management.
Neurological Conditions
- Define the basic terminology associated with neurological disorders.
- Identify general signs and symptoms associated with neurological conditions.
- Relate affected areas of the nervous system to specific signs and symptoms.
- Discuss the possible effects of increased intracranial pressure.
- Compare the signs and symptoms of upper and lower motor lesions.