AHSC 228 Health Sciences IV Health Sciences II continues the study of concepts related to human pathophysiology, microbiology, immunology, epigenetics, diagnostics, nutrition and pharmacology. Students will also use foundational knowledge from anatomy and physiology to analyze how these concepts can alter the homeodynamic state of the body and how they affect specific diseases within the respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Prototype diseases and prototype drugs are examined, with an emphasis on integrating scientific processes with nursing practice. Students gain an appreciation for the individual differences in hemodynamic and presentation of health challenges in the client, across the lifespan. While the course will cover diagnosis and medical management of diseases studied, protocols related to nursing care and management will be covered in health and healing courses.
Prerequisites: AHSC 218 with a minimum grade of 60%.
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 15 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 45 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 3 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Using correct terminology, discuss key concepts of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacotherapeutics as they apply across the lifespan
- Apply concepts of microbiology in cases exploring how the immune system is involved in the healing process, how various microbial classes affect the pathogenesis of disease, and the overall management of communicable disease
- Explain the pathophysiological processes and homeostatic changes that occur in the health conditions related to the course concepts
- Analyze clinical presentations that guide nursing assessment of health conditions relevant to the course concepts
- Correlate diagnostic and management protocols with the pathophysiology of diseases studied
- Prioritize appropriate interventions in the management of health conditions related to the course concepts
- Predict potential outcomes of health conditions related to the course concepts
- Relate examples of clients and health conditions from practice to course concepts
Teaching and Learning Approach
This course builds on and applies the principles from AHSC 218 to specific injury and disease processes
according to body systems. Lab value, clinical presentations, and medications and classes of medications will be
explored in contextually relevant scenarios.
Learning activities are designed to actively engage the participant in gaining an understanding of concepts of
disease, compensatory mechanisms, and states of imbalance, progressing to more complex pathophysiological
concepts towards the end of the course. Participants will examine classic scenarios of disease progression, and
will also dialogue about practice examples where the health challenge presentation is atypical, to foster the skills
of analysis, research, critical thinking, and pattern recognition.
This course will also provide opportunities for the
participants to examine the pathophysiologic concepts across the lifespan. Learning activities will include lecture,
various active learning strategies, review and discussion of selected videos, in class multiple-choice questions,
and case study analysis.
This course will be structured in a Team Based Learning (TBL) format. Individuals will be responsible for
completing Guided Learning Questions (GLQ) and/or case study questions and/or work sheets as preparation by
drawing from readings in required textbooks, provided articles or videos. Participants will complete the individual
and team portions of the Readiness Assurance Process (RAP) as formative assessment and team enhanced
learning. Just In Time Teaching (JITT) lectures will address knowledge gaps identified by the class and the RAP.
Advanced Concept Lectures (ACL) will cover the more complex topics and support team Basic Application Tasks
(BAT) that will occur during the class.
Learning Resources
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)
Technology:
This course relies heavily on digital learning tools, such as Moodle for learning activities and assessment events,
as well as student selected digital tools for optional assessment events. Students will require a laptop and are
encouraged to bring it to class. If you are unable to secure a laptop, please see student services for financial
assistance, or visit the library to obtain a loaner laptop.
Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Key Course Concepts:
Diseases of the endocrine system (diabetes), diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the central nervous system, diseases of the cardiovascular system, diseases of the gastrointestinal system, diseases of the hepatic system and diseases of the renal system.
In addition to the above course outcomes, the course facilitators will foster learners to:
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.
2. Course Content
3. 1. Orientation to Course Diseases of the Endocrine System: Diabetes mellitus Pathophysiology and treatment Acute and Chronic Complications Pharmacologic Management
4. 2. Diseases of the Respiratory System Ventilation and Gas Exchange/Hypoxemia & Hypoxia Respiratory failure
5. 3. Disease of the Respiratory System- Restrictive vs Obstructive disorders Bronchodilators, Corticosteroids, anti-infectives
6. 4. Diseases of the Central Nervous System Brain Injury and Brain Death Related medications Headaches
7. 5. First Trimester Evaluation
8. 6. Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Hemodynamics and Hypertension Pharmacologic Management of HTN
9. 7. Reading Week (no class)
10. 8. Diseases of the Cardiovascular System Coronary Artery Disease Atherosclerosis Myocardial Infarction Pharmacologic Management (Anti-platelets, ASA)
11. 9. Diseases of the Renal system Infection Obstruction Acute Renal Failure Diuretics Chronic Renal Failure
12. 10. Diseases of the Hepatic System Jaundice Hepatitis Cirrhosis Liver failure
13. 11. Second Trimester Evaluation
14. 12. Diseases of the GI System Part 1 Accessory Organs of Digestion
15. 13. Diseases of the GI System Part 1 Upper GI Disorders Peptic Ulcer Disease Diarrhea Malabsorption Syndromes H2 Receptor Antagonists, Proton Pump Inhibitors, Antacids
16. 14. Diseases of the GI System Part 2 Lower GI Disorders Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diverticulitis Bowel Obstruction
17. 15. Third Trimester Evaluation
Assessment
| Title |
Learning Outcomes |
Value |
| Individual Readiness Assurance Tests (x8) |
1-7 |
5% |
| Team Readiness Assurance Tests (x8) |
1-9 |
5% |
| Team Application Activities |
1-9 |
0% |
| Weekly Exit Ticket Activity |
1-7 |
10% |
| Formative Learning Activities (x3) |
1-7, 9 |
15% |
| First Trimester Evaluation (4 modules) |
1-7 |
20% |
| Second Trimester Evaluation (4 modules) |
1-7 |
20% |
| Third Trimester Evaluation (3 modules) |
1-7 |
15% |
| Summative Exam (modules 1-8 |
1-7 |
10% |
| Total |
100% |
Grading Table
Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 90-100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 85-89 |
A |
4.00 |
| 80-84 |
A- |
3.67 |
| 76-79 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 72-75 |
B |
3.00 |
| 68-71 |
B- |
2.67 |
| 64-67 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 60-63 |
C |
2.00 |
| 55-59 |
C- |
1.67 |
| 50-54 |
P |
1.00 |
| 0-49 |
F |
0.00 |
| |
DNW |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.