NRS 232 - Pathophysiological Processes I

3 Credit(s)

Prerequisite(s): Acceptance into the Nursing program.

Corequisite(s): NRS 110 or advanced placement as an LPN.

Course Description: This course introduces pathophysiological processes that contribute to many different disease states across the lifespan and human responses to those processes. It includes the foundational concepts of cellular adaptation, injury, and death; inflammation and tissue healing; fluid and electrolyte imbalances; and physiologic response to stressors and pain, as well as additional pathophysiological processes. Students will learn to make selective clinical decisions in the context of nursing regarding using current, reliable sources of pathophysiology information, selecting and interpreting focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of pathophysiological processes, teaching persons from diverse populations regarding pathophysiological processes, and communicating with other health professionals regarding pathophysiological processes.

Course Level: Career/Tech Preparatory

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO#1: Access current, reliable information about selected pathophysiological processes, including cellular adaptation, injury, and death; inflammation and tissue healing; fluid and electrolyte imbalances; and physiologic response to stressors. (ILO: Information Literacy)
CLO#2: Select and interpret basic focused nursing assessments based on knowledge of clinical manifestations of and developmental considerations in selected pathophysiological processes in patients across the life span.
CLO#3: Teach persons from diverse populations across the lifespan regarding selected pathophysiological processes, focusing on
• explaining how the risk factors relate to specific pathophysiological processes
• describing selected pathophysiological processes in appropriate terms
• explaining how the signs and symptoms relate to specific pathophysiological processes
• explaining which signs and symptoms to report to a health professional
• explaining how developmental factors relate to pathophysiology
CLO#4: Communicate effectively with other health professionals regarding selected pathophysiological processes, focusing on
• using appropriate technical language
• clarifying technical details of pathophysiological processes
• reporting pertinent information about a patient’s status