Teaching and Learning Approach
Welcome to the course! I am excited to embark on this learning journey with you as we explore how foundational
concepts in anatomy and physiology connect with real-world health challenges. My goal is to help you
understand how various factors—whether they are physical, biochemical, microbial, genetic, or immunological—
impact the body's balance during different disease processes.
Throughout the course, you will have access to timely resources that will help you dive into essential principles of
pharmacology, diagnostic testing, nursing assessment, and decision-making. This knowledge will be integrated
with nursing practice and health healing courses to enhance your understanding and skills.
I believe that learning should be engaging and supportive. The activities are designed to actively involve you,
helping you grasp concepts of disease, compensatory mechanisms, and states of imbalance. As we progress,
we will tackle more complex pathophysiological ideas, exploring both classic disease scenarios and atypical
presentations. This will allow you to hone your analytical, research, critical thinking, and pattern recognition skills
in a collaborative environment.
I am dedicated to providing a caring space where everyone can share and learn. In AHSC 218, I will use a Team-
Based Learning format, where you will partner with your classmates as co-learners. You’ll prepare individually to
ensure that you are ready to engage in our exciting flipped classroom environment, which encourages problem-
based learning in a collaborative team setting.
Your participation and input are valued, and you are encouraged to take an active role in your learning and
evaluation. Together, let’s create a welcoming atmosphere that nurtures our growth and fosters our professional
identities within the healthcare community. I look forward to learning with you!
Learning Resources
I have made every attempt to use high-quality and scholarly open educational resources (OER). With the
exception of a drug guide, all of the resources used in this course are available free of charge:
Required:
1. Barbour-Taylor, T., Mueller, L., Paris, D., & Weaver, D. (2024). Pharmacology for Nurses (draft). Houston,
TX. OpenStax- Rice University. Access for free at openstax.org: Pharmacology for Nurses
2. Bowen, C., Draper, L., & Moore, H. (2024). Fundamentals of nursing. OpenStax. Access for free at
openstax.org: https://openstax.org/books/fundamentals-nursing/pages/1-introduction
3. Bowen, C., Carey, B., Palozie, J., & Reinholdt, M. (2024). Medical-Surgical Nursing. OpenStax. Access for
free at openstax.org: https://openstax.org/books/medical-surgical-nursing/pages/1-introduction
4. Puchkors, R., Saunders, J., & Sharp, D. (2024). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. OpenStax. Access for
free at openstax.org: https://openstax.org/books/psychiatric-mental-health/pages/1-introduction
5. Vallerand, A. H., & Sanoski, C. A. (2025). Davis’s Canadian Drug Guide for Nurses (19th ed.). F.A. Davis. (or
equivalent)
Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. New Course Outcomes:
2. With the University of Victoria curricular partners curriculum refresh, the following course-level outcomes will be implemented and I am currently using these to guide assessment.
By successfully completing the assessment activities for AHSC 218, learners will be able to show that they can:
1. Explain the pathophysiological processes and homeostatic changes that occur in the health conditions related to the course concepts,
2. Interpret clinical findings and diagnostics in health conditions related to the course concepts,
3. Identify clients and health conditions in practice that are exemplars of the course concepts,
4. Analyze clinical presentations that guide nursing assessment of health conditions relevant to the course concepts,
5. Discuss general pharmacological principles and pharmacological features of prototype medications of drug classes relevant to course concepts,
6. Prioritize appropriate interventions in the management of health conditions related to the course concepts,
7. Predict/anticipate potential complications of health conditions related to the course concepts,
8. Apply principles of collaboration as a part of a community of learning and practice,
9. Access appropriate resources to support safe, sound clinical decision making.
3. Key Course Concepts:
During this course, we will cover the following topics:
1. Cellular adaption, injury and death;
2. Pharmacology;
3. Microbiology, infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship;
4. Innate immunity, inflammation, wound healing and anti-inflammatory medications;
5. Stress and disease;
6. Pain and opioid pain management;
7. Oncology;
8. Fluid and electrolyte balance;
9. Acid-base balance;
10. Cerebrovascular events;
11. Neurobiology of mental illness and neuropharmacology;
12. Immune hypersensitivity and corticosteroids;
13. Immunodeficiency;
14. Diabetes.
All assessment activities are aligned with these new course outcomes. Please refer to the AHSC 218Assessment and Evaluation Guide for more information.
4. Course Contents
5. 1. Course introduction: Course orientation Introduction to Team-Based Learning Cellular Injury, Adaptation and Death: Cellular adaptations (hypertrophy, hyperplasia, atrophy, metaplasia) Mechanisms and causes of cellular injury Reversible injury vs. apoptosis vs. types of necrosis Laboratory / biopsy indicators of cell damage Outcomes: Differentiate mechanisms of cellular adaptation triggered by physiologic vs. pathologic stressors. Explain causes and outcomes of reversible and irreversible cellular injury. Compare apoptosis and major forms of necrosis in structure and function. Interpret diagnostic findings that indicate cellular injury or death. Analyze clinical scenarios to select assessments and interventions for cell injury or adaptation.
6. 2. Pharmacology: ADME processes and first-pass effect Receptor binding, agonists / antagonists, potency, efficacy Therapeutic index, half-life, loading dose Factors altering individual drug response Outcomes: Apply pharmacokinetic principles (ADME) to clinical drug decisions. Explain key pharmacodynamic concepts using prototype drugs. Assess factors that create individual variation in drug response. Evaluate safety considerations—half-life, therapeutic range, interactions. Use reliable drug-information resources to guide medication practice.
7. 3. Inflammation and Innate Immune Response: Vascular and cellular phases of acute inflammation Chemical mediators (histamine, prostaglandins, complement) Exudate types and patterns of healing NSAID vs. corticosteroid actions and risks Outcomes: Sequence the vascular and cellular phases of inflammation and link to function. Correlate clinical findings and lab values with stages of the inflammatory response. Predict complications arising from impaired or chronic inflammation. Explain mechanisms of action for common anti- inflammatory medications. Analyze patient presentations to prioritize immune- related assessments and care.
8. 4. Pain and Opioid Analgesics Nociceptive and neuropathic pain pathways Pain classification and assessment scales Opioid, non-opioid, and adjuvant analgesic mechanisms Opioid toxicity, tolerance, withdrawal Outcomes: Explain mechanisms of pain transmission and modulation. Identify types of pain and their clinical manifestations. Discuss mechanisms and uses of opioid, non-opioid, and adjuvant analgesics. Predict complications associated with analgesic therapy. Apply pain-assessment data to guide nursing interventions.
9. 5. Introduction to Microbiology: Bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal structure and virulence Chain and stages of infection WBC differential, culture & sensitivity interpretation Antimicrobial classes, spectrum, stewardship principles Outcomes: Differentiate bacterial, viral, fungal, and other pathogens by pathophysiologic traits. Explain stages and systemic features of infection. Interpret diagnostic tests (WBC, cultures) related to infection. Discuss antimicrobial selection, mechanisms, and key nursing considerations. Analyze principles of infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
10. 6. Stress and Disease: Models of stress adaptation and HPA-axis hormones Physiologic effects of cortisol and catecholamines Clinical indicators of acute vs. chronic stress Stress-related complications and reduction strategies Outcomes: Explain physiological stages of the stress response and homeostatic effects. Describe impacts of stress on immune and endocrine function. Identify clinical indicators of maladaptive or chronic stress. Predict complications associated with prolonged stress exposure. Apply stress-response concepts to nursing assessment and planning.
11. 7. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance: Fluid compartments, osmosis, oncotic / hydrostatic forces RAAS and ADH regulation Sodium, potassium, osmolality imbalances and key labs IV fluid tonicity choice and critical electrolyte interventions Outcomes: Explain mechanisms that regulate body fluid and electrolyte balance. Interpret critical lab values related to fluid and electrolytes. Identify clinical conditions linked to volume or electrolyte imbalance. Prioritize nursing interventions for fluid or electrolyte disturbances. Access and apply resources to support fluid- management decisions.
12. 8. Introduction to Oncology: Carcinogenesis stages and cancer-cell hallmarks Tumour markers, grading, TNM staging Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted / biologic therapy basics Oncologic emergencies (tumour-lysis, neutropenic fever) Outcomes: Explain mechanisms of abnormal cell growth and tumor development. Interpret diagnostic findings and staging information for cancer. Identify clinical signs and conditions associated with malignancy. Discuss pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic cancer treatments. Predict complications related to cancer or its treatment and plan care.
13. 9. Acid-Base Balance: Metabolic vs. respiratory acidosis / alkalosis ABG interpretation and anion-gap calculation Renal and respiratory compensation mechanisms Clinical management of common acid–base disorders Outcomes: Differentiate acid-base imbalances using clinical and laboratory data. Predict renal and respiratory compensatory mechanisms. Identify conditions commonly causing acid-base disorders. Interpret oxygenation and ventilation indicators in acid-base cases. Apply a structured approach to analyze and name ABG imbalances.
14. 10. Cerebrovascular Events: Ischemic (thrombotic, embolic) vs. hemorrhagic stroke pathophysiology Imaging (CT, MRI) and NIHSS overview tPA eligibility and acute BP targets Post-stroke airway, swallow, mobility, secondary prevention Outcomes: Explain pathophysiologic processes in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Interpret diagnostic data relevant to stroke management. Identify signs, symptoms, and syndromes of stroke. Discuss acute and preventive pharmacologic and non- pharmacologic interventions. Prioritize nursing care to prevent complications and support recovery.
15. 11. Neurobiology of Mental Disorders: Neurotransmitter alterations in schizophrenia, mood, and anxiety disorders Antipsychotic, antidepressant, mood-stabiliser, benzodiazepine classes Extrapyramidal symptoms, serotonin syndrome, lithium toxicity Evidence resources for safe psychopharmacology Outcomes: Explain neurobiological alterations in major mental health disorders. Interpret clinical presentations through the lens of altered neurotransmission. Identify classes and uses of psychotropic medications. Predict adverse effects associated with psychotropic therapy. Use evidence-based resources to ensure safe psychopharmacologic care.
16. 12. Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune mechanisms of Type I–IV reactions Clinical presentation from local allergy to anaphylaxis Epinephrine, antihistamines, corticosteroids in reaction management Allergen avoidance and emergency preparedness teaching Outcomes: Differentiate Types I–IV hypersensitivity reactions by immune mechanism. Identify clinical presentations of hypersensitivity conditions. Prioritize emergency and ongoing interventions for hypersensitivity. Explain actions of immunosuppressive and antihistamine drugs. Analyze holistic care strategies for immune-mediated disorders.
17. 13. Immunodeficiency: Primary vs. secondary immunodeficiency overview HIV life-cycle and disease progression CD4 count, viral load, antiretroviral therapy classes Opportunistic-infection prophylaxis and infection- control measures Outcomes: Distinguish primary and secondary immunodeficiency disorders. Interpret key laboratory data assessing immune function. Explain mechanisms leading to immune suppression, including HIV. Discuss antiretroviral and other pharmacologic management strategies. Predict complications and set nursing priorities for immunocompromised clients.
18. 14. Diabetes: Pathophysiology of Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes Diagnostic indicators: glucose, HbA1C, ketones Insulin types and oral antihyperglycemics fundamentals Acute (DKA, HHS) and chronic diabetic complications and management Outcomes: Differentiate Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes pathophysiology. Interpret diagnostic indicators of glycemic control (glucose, A1C). Identify acute and chronic complications of diabetes. Discuss pharmacologic management with insulin and oral agents. Prioritize nursing interventions for glycemic emergencies and long-term management.