RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PATHOPHYSIOLOGY KNOWLEDGE AND PATIENT ASSESSMENT ACCURACY IN UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS.

Background: Accurate patient assessment is a fundamental competency in nursing practice, often influenced by students’ theoretical knowledge. Pathophysiology forms the scientific basis for clinical decision-making, and a clear understanding of disease mechanisms enables timely recognition of patient deterioration. However, gaps often exist between theoretical instruction and clinical application in undergraduate nursing education. Aim: This study aimed to examine the relationship between pathophysiology knowledge and patient assessment accuracy among undergraduate nursing students in Swat, Pakistan. Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed. A total of 270 final-year nursing students were selected using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire comprising 20 multiple-choice questions on pathophysiology and 10 clinical scenarios assessing patient assessment accuracy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26, including descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation. Results: The mean score for pathophysiology knowledge was 13.8 (SD = 2.7), while the mean patient assessment score was 7.2 (SD = 1.9). Out of 270 participants, 58.5% scored ≥70% in pathophysiology, and 53.3% scored ≥70% in assessment accuracy. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) was found between pathophysiology knowledge and patient assessment accuracy, indicating that higher theoretical understanding was associated with better clinical judgment. Conclusion: The study concluded that pathophysiology knowledge significantly influences the accuracy of patient assessment. Integrating theoretical instruction with clinical training is essential for enhancing nursing students' competence and ensuring patient safety.