Take your pathophysiology course online today!
Home / FAQs / Online Degrees / Certificate Courses / Admission Policies / Class Rooms / Request Info.

Canyon College

online pathophysiology course at Canyon College

COURSE SYLLABUS: Pathophysiology


Course Title: NR315 - Pathophysiology
Department: Health Sciences
Instructor: Mary Lyn Page, MSN, RN   E-Mail - Vita
Fax: (203) 421-0992
Credits: 4 Semester Credits
Prerequisites: Anatomy and Physiology from any nursing school, college, medical institute, or Canyon's SC600.


Required Texts: Online Bookstore

  1. Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults & children (5th Ed.), by K. L. McCance & S. E. Huether. Mosby Inc. (Elsevier), 2005/2006. ISBN-13: 9780323035071 ISBN: 0323035078
The following texts may be helpful and are optional:
  1. Any current diagnostic and laboratory test reference
  2. Any current nursing drug handbook
  3. Any good medical encyclopedia/dictionary
Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the student to altered physiologic concepts affecting individuals and the biologic basis for disease. The course begins with the basics of cellular biology, cancer, the infection process, and the immune system. A focus on specific body systems and common disorders will be covered.

Course Objectives
  1. Describe the cellular environment: fluids and electrolytes, acids and bases
  2. Identify the mechanism of cellular injury and cellular response to injury: hypoxia, toxic agents, alcohol, lead, physical injuries, infectious agents, nutritional imbalances, temperature extremes, atmospheric pressure changes, & radiation
  3. Identify common genetic disorders.
  4. Characterize antigens, immunocytes, and immunity.
  5. Describe ways to develop immunity: Define active, passive, artificial, and innate immunities.
  6. Define inflammation and contrast it with immunity.
  7. Describe the process of acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.
  8. Compare the 4 types of hypersensitivity disorders.
  9. Describe the process of metastasis.
  10. Describe the negative feedback system of hormone secretion and identify alterations of the endocrine system: diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, thyroid disorders, Cushing’s disease, & Addison’s disease.
  11. Describe alterations of erythrocyte, leukocyte, lymphoid, and hemostatic function: multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, thrombocytopenia, coagulation disorders, and anemia.
  12. Describe alterations of the pulmonary system: respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, obstructive pulmonary diseases, pulmonary vascular diseases, lung cancer
  13. Describe alterations of the cardiovascular system: arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombophlebitis, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, pericarditis.
  14. Describe alterations of the neurological system: seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, increased intracranial pressure, cerebral edema, spinal cord injuries, meningitis, and encephalitis.
  15. Describe the degenerative diseases of the neurological system: Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s chorea, multiple sclerosis, ALS, and myasthenia gravis.
  16. Describe alterations in the digestive system: motility disorders, ulcers, colitis, Chron’s disease, diverticulosis, appendicitis, liver and biliary disease, and pancreatitis.
  17. Describe alterations of renal and urinary tract function: pyelonephritis, golmerulonephritis, and acute and chronic renal failure.
  18. Describe alterations of musculoskeletal function: fractures, osteomyelitis, osteoporosis, tumors, and arthritis.
Instructor Availability:

Best way to reach me is by e-mail: marylyn@canyoncollege.edu. If you need to speak to me directly please email a phone number and I will call you.

About the Instructor:

I am currently a clinical field nurse educator for a pharmaceutical company. I provide training and education to patients and run patient education programs. I have previously worked as a clinical instructor for the University of Connecticut School of Nursing and Fairfield University School of Nursing. I have a BSN from Skidmore College and an MSN from the University of Phoenix. I am certified in Multiple Sclerosis Nursing and a member of IOMSN.

Technology Issues:

Weekly exams are accessed through the college website.
Each multiple choice test has 25 questions and is directly relevant to the week's reading assignment. Each test is weighted equally towards the final grade. Each week's test is worth 12.5 points (1/2 point per question). You can access the test only once. You cannot access the test, print it, and come back on and take it. The test is sent directly to me and I review it and send back to you only those questions you got incorrect with explanations. I change the test questions on a frequent basis to keep the tests fresh and less likely to be passed around. I provide supplemental material (written lectures) on many of the topics.

This is a self paced course and is planned for 8-12 weeks. Students have 90 days to complete the course.
ASSIGNMENTS


WEEK ONE: Cellular basics and Cancer
  1. Reading: Chapters 2,3,11,12 Pathophysiology text (Chptr 1 is for review)
  2. Access NR 315 Week 1 test
WEEK TWO: Infection and the Immune Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapters 8,9,10 Pathophysiology text (Chptrs 6 & 7 are for review)
  2. Access NR 315 Week 2 test
WEEK THREE: Endocrine Disorders and Hematologic Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapters 20,21,26,27 Pathophysiology text (Chptr 25 is for review)
  2. Access NR 315 Week 3 test
WEEK FOUR: Pulmonary System Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapter 32,33 Pathophysiology text
  2. Access NR 315 Week 4 test
WEEK FIVE: Cardiovascular Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapter 29,30 Pathophysiology text
  2. Access NR 315 Week 5 test
WEEK SIX: Neurological Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapter 14,16,17 Pathophysiology text
  2. Access NR 315 Week 6 test
WEEK SEVEN: Digestive System Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapter 38,39 Pathophysiology text
  2. Access NR 315 Week 7 test
WEEK EIGHT: Renal System and Musculoskeletal System Disorders
  1. Reading: Chapters 36,42 Pathophysiology text (Chptrs 35 & 41 are for review)
  2. Access NR 315 Week 8 test
93 - 99= A
90 - 92= A-
83 - 89= B
80 - 82= B-
73 - 79= C
70 - 72= C-
63 - 69= D
60 - 62= D-
below 60= F