Nursing Assistant Certification Course

Week 5: Anatomy and Physiology III

Duration: 3 hours

I. Urinary System (1 hour)
   A. Structure and Function of the Urinary System
      1. Major organs: Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra
         Example: The kidneys filter blood and remove waste products, forming urine.
      2. Nephrons: The functional units of the kidneys
         Example: Each nephron contains a glomerulus and a system of tubules responsible for filtering blood and reabsorbing essential substances.
   B. Urine Formation and Elimination
      1. Processes involved in urine formation: Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion
         Example: Filtration occurs in the glomerulus, where blood pressure forces fluid and solutes out of the blood and into the renal tubules.
      2. Storage and elimination of urine
         Example: Urine travels from the kidneys through the ureters to the urinary bladder, where it is stored before being eliminated through the urethra.
   C. Regulation of Blood Volume and Electrolyte Balance
      1. Role of the kidneys in maintaining blood volume and composition
         Example: The kidneys help regulate blood volume by adjusting the amount of water reabsorbed into the bloodstream.
      2. Hormones involved in blood volume and electrolyte regulation
         Example: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and aldosterone both play roles in regulating water and electrolyte balance in the body.

II. Nervous System (1 hour)
   A. Structure and Function of the Nervous System
      1. Divisions of the nervous system: Central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS)
         Example: The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the PNS includes nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body.
      2. Neurons: Structure and function
         Example: Neurons are specialized cells that transmit electrical and chemical signals, allowing for communication within the nervous system.
   B. Brain and Spinal Cord
      1. Major structures of the brain: Cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem
         Example: The cerebrum is responsible for higher cognitive functions like memory, language, and problem-solving.
      2. Functions of the spinal cord
         Example: The spinal cord serves as a pathway for transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body.
   C. Nerve Impulse Transmission and Reflexes
      1. The process of generating and transmitting nerve impulses
         Example: The transmission of nerve impulses relies on changes in the electrical potential of neurons, involving the movement of ions across the cell membrane.
      2. Reflexes and their role in maintaining body function
         Example: Reflexes are automatic responses to stimuli that help protect the body from injury, such as the withdrawal reflex when touching a hot surface.

III. Endocrine System (1 hour)
   A. Structure and Function of the Endocrine System
      1. Endocrine glands and hormones
         Example: The pituitary gland, often called the "master gland," secretes multiple hormones that regulate the function of other endocrine glands.
      2. Hormones and their target cells
         Example: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake in target cells.
   B. Major Endocrine Glands and Hormones
      1. Identification of major endocrine glands and their hormones
         Example: The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism and energy production.
      2. Functions of key hormones in the body
         Example: Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, plays a role in the body's stress response, helping regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation.
   C. Regulation of the Endocrine System
      1. Feedback loops and hormone release
         Example: Hormone release is often regulated by negative feedback loops, where increased levels of a hormone trigger a decrease in its secretion and vice versa.
      2. Interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems
         Example: The hypothalamus, a region of the brain, plays a critical role in integrating the nervous and endocrine systems by releasing hormones that regulate the pituitary gland.

Upon completing Week 5, students will have a thorough understanding of the urinary, nervous, and endocrine systems. This knowledge will enhance their ability to recognize the complex interplay between body systems and provide effective, holistic patient care as nursing assistants.