Course Syllabus
Course Description
Number: NURS5410
Title: Advanced Pathophysiology
Credit: 1-3-2
Catalog description: This course focuses on developing an advanced knowledge base of pathophysiology of the human body and the impact of this knowledge base on evidence based practice. It will prepare advanced practice nurses to understand the mechanism underlying the disease process, its clinical manifestations, and rational therapies. Appropriate screening and diagnostic testing methods will also be included. Emphasis will be placed on important pathophysiological concepts needed to support the goals of Healthy People 2010 to improve clients’ quality of life and reduce health disparities.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to Graduate Nursing Program or Senior Standing in BSN Program with 3.00 GPA
Corequisite(s): None
Textbook Information
Required:
McCance, K. & Huether, S. (2006). e-pack for Pathophysiology: The Biological Basis for Disease in Adults and Children, (5thed.). Mosby: St. Louis.
Technology Requirements
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Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets the ITP Choice requirements (http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/) for the student's academic program.
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Students must have access to the Internet either through the on-campus local area network or through an Internet Service Provider.
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Students must be proficient with Internet access, WebCT Vista and Microsoft Office and demonstrate competency using web browsers, website navigation, search engines and e-mail communication.
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Contact the HUB for software and connectivity issues; no excuse will be accepted for inability to access the Internet and/or technical difficulties.
Course Objectives
The advanced practice nurse will have a well-grounded understanding of normal physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of disease that serves as one primary component of the foundation for clinical assessment, decision making and management. The graduate should be able to relate this knowledge to “interpreting changes in normal function that result in symptoms indicative of illness” and in assessing an individual’s response to pharmacologic management of illness. At the completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
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Describe the developmental physiology, normal etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of the most common altered health states.
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Compare and contrast physiologic changes over the life span.
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Analyze the relationship between normal physiologic and pathological phenomena produced by altered states across the life span.
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Analyze physiologic responses to illness and treatment modalities.
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Analyze client data with respect to diagnosing health problems.
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Synthesize and apply current research-based knowledge regarding pathological changes in selected disease states.
Methods of Instruction
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Weekly discussion questions
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Online exams; although there are 20 module exams, students are only required to take 15; a student may opt to take any of the remaining 5 exams to replace a grade of their choice
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Literature review paper on pathophysiological topic
Course Requirements
- Courses taught in an online format require students to be self-directed and responsible for meeting deadlines.
- Attendance is mandatory at scheduled on-campus meetings.
- Students are expected to use APA format for all submitted papers.
- Approval must be obtained from the University Institutional Review Board for all research studies.
- This syllabus provides a general plan for this course; the faculty reserve the right to make changes to the syllabus and/or course schedule including but not limited to assignments, time tables, examinations, projects, etc.
Evaluation
| Modules exams (15) | 60% (4% each) |
| Literature review paper | 30% |
| Weekly discussion questions | 10% |
Grading Scale
| A | |
| B | |
| C | |
| D | |
| F |
Classroom Policies
- Attendance: Mandatory for scheduled on-campus meetings.
- Communication: WebCT Vista is the official tool for this course and is accessible online from any computer; students are responsible for monitoring e-mail on a regular basis and should direct all communications with faculty and other students through WebCT or Clayton State e-mail.
- Conduct: Students must abide by policies in the University Graduate Student Handbook, the Graduate Student Responsibilities, and if applicable program handbook; the code of academic integrity will be strictly enforced.
- Electronic devices: Cell phones/pagers must be turned off (or placed on vibrator mode) during class meetings. Permission from individual faculty is necessary before taping a class.
- Mid-term progress report: Mid-term grade will reflect approximately 1/3 of the entire course grade. Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of “W”; contact the Registrar for withdrawal procedures.
- Submission: Students are responsible for completion and submission of all course requirements as scheduled in the course calendar. Make-up work is at the discretion of the faculty.
To obtain this document in an alternative format, contact the Disability Resource Center.