Advanced Pathophysiology

NURS 5103

 3 Credit Hours

An in-depth scientific knowledge base relevant to selected pathophysiological states confronted by advanced practice nurses is explored.  This course provides a basis for the foundation of clinical decisions related to selected diagnostic tests and the initiation of therapeutic regimens.  Pathophysiology across the lifespan is correlated to clinical diagnoses and management. 

At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:

1. Discuss the internal and external factors that affect specific physiological states along the health & illness continuum.
2. Describe the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical and laboratory manifestations of specific disease processes.
3. Apply diagnostic reasoning in assessing and evaluating clients with specific pathophysiologic alterations.
4. Discriminate between various physiological states of health and illness of all body’s systems.
5. Correlate physiological states to illness prevention strategies.

Admission to the RODP-MSN program.

              I.      Central concepts of Pathophysiology. Altered cellular and tissue biology. Fluid and electrolyte, acid-base and cellular injury.

           II.      Gene Environment Interaction.. 

         III.      Mechanisms of Self Defense. Immunity, Inflammation and Infections (AIDS)

        IV.      Cell proliferation.

           V.      Disorders of the blood (anemias, clotting disorders, Leukemia).

        VI.      Renal mechanisms and role in chemical disequilibrium; dysfunction (infections, obstructive problems and failure).

      VII.      Alterations in oxygenation and respiratory function (asthma, COPD, ARDS, tuberculosis, bronchitis.

   VIII.      Alterations in cardiovascular function (Altered cardiac output, HTN, CAD, Ischemic Heart Disease).

        IX.      Mechanisms of Endocrine dysfunction (Diabetes, thyroid and adrenal imbalance).

           X.      Alterations in cognitive-perceptual patterns and neurological functions (pain, neuromuscular disorders, visual impairments).

        XI.      Altered elimination patterns (liver and pancreatic dysfunction, cirrhosis).

      XII.      Multiple Interacting systems (Shock, Burns)

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course:  http://rodp.bkstr.com

Supplemental periodicals and journal articles assigned by instructor.

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

A video-camera is also required for this course.

The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 

Additional software requirements for this course include Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint), Acrobat Reader, and supporting software for video-conferencing.

Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.

All course requirements are submitted online. 

A  = 93-100
B  = 85-92
C  = 77-84
D  = 70-76
F  = <70

§         Critical event flow charts X5 (10% each)

­       Flow charts of client presentation for case situation specific to physiological alteration with events depicted in flow chart format that present pathophysiological alterations from client symptom to the cellular cause

§         Examination #1

­       Evaluation of student understanding of basic concepts of Pathophysiology.

§         Examination #2

-         Evaluation of student understanding of selected physiological alterations

 Participation in weekly online discussions of course content is expected as topics are introduced and as applied to assigned readings.  The student is expected to locate clinical case scenarios related to theory application for presentation in flow chart format.  The proposed case scenario is developed into a scholarly paper.  Online resources and technology are used as appropriate.

All students are expected to actively participate in online class discussions. Each student will be assigned to post one discussion topic. Faculty will also periodically post discussion questions.  Each discussion question posted will be assigned a date by which the student must respond.  If a student is unable to fulfill this requirement for any reason, he/she should notify the instructor prior to the class and make alternative arrangements.  The aim is to encourage interaction among students and faculty, not simply to present information. Students are required to respond to all discussion questions. Student responses to discussion questions must be substantive, that is, thoughtful and analytical. Because the WebCT system has its own way of formatting material posted on the discussion feature, the student will not be expected to strictly follow APA guidelines for online submissions. However, the student is held to academic standards of writing style and the use of proper grammar, punctuation and spelling. 

Students are expected to:

•         Check the course calendar for the due dates of assignments.

•         Check the course bulletin board frequently for announcements.

The student is expected to:

•         Learn how to navigate in the WebCT system.

•         Participate by responding to all discussion questions.

•         Keep abreast of course announcements.

•         Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal e-mail address.

•         Contact the instructor if unclear about assignment expectations.

•         Address technical problems immediately.

            Email:

•         Always include a subject line.

•         Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way.

•         Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.

•         Use standard fonts.

•         Do not send large attachments without permission.

•         Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.

•         Respect the privacy of other class members.

            Discussion Groups:               

•         Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion.

•         Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.

•         Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group.

•         Be respectful of others’ ideas.

•         Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.

•         Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.

•         Be positive and constructive in group discussions.

•         Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

             Chat:

•         Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.

•         Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.

•         Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.

•         Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

•         Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses.

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with his/her home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

If you are having problems logging into the course, timing out of the course, using the course web site tools, or other technical problems, please visit the AskRODP Customer Support web page at http://askrodp.custhelp.com or call the AskRODP Help Desk at 1-866-550-RODP (1-866-550-7637)