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Provides a conceptual overview of pathophysiology and mechanisms of disease, designed to ease the transition from the basic sciences to the clinical years. Should be particularly useful in the transition from the second to the third year of medical school, but should also be very helpful to nurses and other health care professionals. Shows the clinical relevance of the basic sciences through overall principles and understanding. Accompanied by a CD on Differential Diagnosis, showing the interpretation of common lab tests and patient symptoms and signs.

Amazon Sales Rank: #4318 in Books Published on: 2007-01-01 Released on: 2007-02-01 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Dimensions: 1.38 pounds Binding: Paperback 194 pages

From the Publisher Hailed as "an excellent distillation of the enormous topic of human pathophysiology...a superb reference for medical trainees," and as "a welcome change for scores of overwhelmed medical students," by professors from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Clinical Pathophysiology Made Ridiculously Simple is the latest book in the acclaimed "Made Ridiculously Simple" series. Clinical Pathophysiology Made Ridiculously Simple is a clear, logical explanation of physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical reasoning side by side, which will undoubtedly ease the transition from the basic sciences to the clinical years. This book will be a phenomenal learning tool for students in the second and third years of medical school and during USMLE Step 1 preparation, but will also be very helpful to nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other health care professionals seeking to learn or review the physiological mechanisms of diseases, their diagnosis, and their management. Clinical Pathophysiology Made Ridiculously Simple also contains a chapter of sample clinical cases and a CD-ROM entitled Differential Diagnosis. The CD-ROM allows one to select a symptom, sign, or lab finding and see all of the many diseases that could cause it, classified by pathophysiological mechanism. By teaching basic medical science and clinical reasoning hand-in-hand in a simple, light, and highly accessible writing style, this book provides an integrated and easy-to-understand approach to learning the science of medicine.

Most helpful customer reviews 40 of 41 people found the following review helpful. Best Short Overview of Pathophysiology for All Clinicians By Wizkid I am a nursing student who learns things by understanding them on a deep level (causes, patterns, connections) rather than by memorizing isolated fragments. So this book is excellent for someone like me. Unlike the assigned textbook for pathophysiology, this book begins its survey of the clinical problems that can affect each body system with a "big picture" preview--and always in the simplest, clearest language possible. Here, for instance, is how the pulmonary system chapter begins: "What problems could affect the alveolar sac and/or airways? 1. The sac is already filled with something other than air. 2. The sac does not open adequately. 3. The sac is unable to expire adequately due to either obstruction of the airways or decreased elastic recoil of the sac itself." The rest of the chapter simply fills in the details of these three possibilities. Moreover, the book is filled with extremely useful devices for remembering and organizing the information presented. There are on virtually every page very clear diagrams, pictures, or formulas that capture a central concept in a memorable figure. For instance, a figure depicting the renal system, with blood supply, nephron, and collecting system (ureter, etc) uses little pointing hands to show the classification of kinds of acute renal failure: prerenal, intrinsic, and postrenal. Second, the book has many helpful mnemonics. For instance, "aldosteRoNe causes Reabsorption of Na (sodium)." Finally, the book provides detailed but wonderfully clear and simple explanations of virtually every pathophysiological problem, including many of the major diagnostics for distinguishing them. Moreover, it frequently uses questions in the text to give the reader a chance to think about the problem. For instance, in discussing hyperthryroidism, the author points out the two main mechanisms: "The thyroid over-secretes thyroid hormone (primary) or the pituitary over-stimulates the thyroid to secrete thyroid hormone (secondary). One needs only one lab value to distinguish between primary and secondary hyperthyroidism. Which one? Think about negative feedback. If the thyroid itself secretes lots of hormone 'without being told to,' this would increase negative feedback on the pituitary. So in primary hyperthyroidism TSH will be low." Plainly, one cannot come to this book without an adequate background in basic anatomy and physiology. Nor does the book presume to provide detailed coverage of everything, as Guyton and Hall do. But it is the best short overview of pathophysiology I have ever seen, and it helped me tremendously in understanding and therefore thinking critically about clinical problems. 30 of 31 people found the following review helpful. Read this then Robbins By A. Levin Clinical Pathophysiology Made Ridiculously Simple is the best transitional book out there. The fact of the matter is when you show up to medical school you know nothing. This book is like have a kind friend walk you through the basics in a totally unpretentious way. As my subject line suggests, I would read this then get cracking on Robbins. That will ease the pain and get you moving towards passing step 1. Good luck. 23 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Soooo Readable!!! By W. Bethune If you have used any of the other 'Ridiculously Simple' books, you'll love this. The conversational writing style, quirky cartoon diagrams and practical clinical examples all combine to make this book uniquely easy to digest - as opposed to say Robbins, which is more definitive but also more stuffy and long-winded (i.e. harder to read). In terms of USMLE prep, I think this makes a nice supplement to a more traditional review book and a healthy dose of practice questions. It definitely fills a nice niche that way and will help in solidifying basic concepts - again, not as a