Course 1: Understanding MS: Course

Unlocking the Mysteries Behind MS

It is important for MS Nurses to have an appreciation of the pathophysiology contributing to the development of MS. This course will provide the essential concepts and information required to answer patients’ questions about what causes their disease and how the disease will affect their future life.

What you will Learn

After completing this course, you should be better able to:

  • Appreciate the importance of understanding the pathophysiology of MS as a foundation for making decisions concerning the management of MS
  • Identify the various types of MS and know their natural history and progression
  • State the genetic, race, gender and environmental factors which affect the incidence of MS
  • Describe the structure of the nervous system and how its function is altered by MS
  • Explain the function of the immune system and how its role is disrupted by MS
  • Describe the underlying pathophysiological causes of the most common symptoms associated with MS
  • Recognise that central to this is the inflammation and demyelination of axons which disrupts neural conduction
  • Appreciate that cortical pathology may determine cognitive disability in MS.

Target Audience

This activity has been developed to meet the educational needs of nurses who have an interest in optimising the management of people with MS.

Duration

Estimated time to complete: 5 Hours

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating and receiving CME credit for this activity. Participants must:

  1. Read the learning objectives
  2. Participate in the entire educational activity, consisting of 5 foundation courses
  3. Complete the exam for each course by recording the best answer to each question; a 75% pass mark is required
  4. Submit your feedback through a quick survey

Certificate of Achievement

Upon successful completion of all 5 courses comprising the foundation program, you'll receive a personalized statement of accreditation. Download, save, and proudly display your certificate of completion.

Practical Information

Time To Complete
300 minutes
Enrollments
4580
Includes
Exam Pre-survey Post Survey
Languages
Dutch French English German Greek Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Spanish Italian Czech Hungarian

Course Sections

  • 1. Introduction
  • 2. Demographics
  • 2.1 Overview of MS
  • 2.2 Definition and classification
  • 2.2.1 Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
  • 2.2.2 Secondary-progressive MS (SPMS)
  • 2.2.3 Primary-progressive MS (PPMS)
  • 2.3 Clinical course
  • 2.4 Contributing factors
  • 2.4.1 Race
  • 2.4.2 Age
  • 2.4.3 Gender
  • 2.4.4 Genetics
  • 2.4.5 Vitamin D
  • 2.4.6 Stress
  • 2.4.7 Smoking
  • 2.4.8 Infection
  • 2.4.9. Nursing Tip
  • 2.5 Summary
  • 3.0 Understanding the causes of MS
  • 3.1 Structure of the nervous system
  • 3.1.1 Structure of the spinal cord
  • 3.1.2 Summary
  • 3.2 Function of the immune system
  • 3.2.1 Innate and adaptive immunity
  • 3.2.2 Innate immunity
  • 3.2.3 Adaptive immunity
  • 3.2.4 Summary
  • 3.3 Pathophysiology of MS
  • 3.3.1 Lesions
  • 3.3.2 Inflammation and neurodegeneration
  • 3.3.3 Cellular involvement
  • 3.3.4 Mechanisms underlying progression in MS
  • 3.3.5 Summary
  • 4.0 Relating pathophysiology to MS symptoms
  • 4.1 Heat sensitivity
  • 4.2 Fatigue
  • 4.3 Optic neuritis
  • 4.4 Positive symptoms
  • 4.5 Psychiatric disorders
  • 4.7 Bowel dysfunction
  • 4.6 Cognitive impairment
  • 4.8 Bladder symptoms
  • 4.9 Summary
  • Summary
  • References
  • Clinical case 1
  • Management issue 1
  • Recommended approach
  • Case continues
  • Management issue 2
  • Recommended approach
  • Case conclusion and key practice points
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