This text combines a conceptual and systems approach to pathophysiology, by beginning at the cellular level and progressing to the concepts of growth, the effects of stress and the body"s ability to adapt to and defend itself against disease. The book"s goal is to provide nursing students with the scientific foundation to understand the disease process and the body"s defence mechanisms. It emphasizes physical and laboratory findings, only providing nursing management information when necessary to illustrate or clarify a disease process.