PNUR 102 Variations in Health I is an introductory course that provides learners with the foundations of disease and illness across the lifespan. Learners will gain an understanding of pathophysiological alterations of body systems. Nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan with an emphasis on interventions and treatment is also discussed. Cultural diversity in healing practices is explored as well as the incorporation of evidenced-informed practice.
Notes:
Course outcomes will be met through examination and exploration of the following:
• Introduction to pathophysiology.
• Maintaining homeostasis.
• Compensatory and decompensatory mechanisms.
• Cell alteration: types of cell injury and repair, cell aging/degeneration, irregular cell growth.
• Alterations to all body systems (e.g., inflammation, infection, obstruction/occlusion, genetics, familial, cancer, trauma).
• Physical and psychosocial stressors.
• Chronic versus acute disease (health continuum); illness versus disease.
• Nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan.
• Nursing management, including assessment (holistic assessment, data collection including lab values and diagnostics); pharmacology; identification of real/potential problems; nursing diagnoses; planning of specific nursing interventions; implementing culturally sensitive and aware care; evaluation of care; collaborating with other members of the health care team; health promotion; client teaching.
• Therapeutic interventions and treatments including pharmacology.
• Traditional healing practices.
• Introduction to diagnostics.
• Cultural diversity in health and healing.
• Introduction to evidenced-informed research and practice.
Prerequisites: PNUR 114 with a minimum of 70%, and admission to the Practical Nurse Program.
Corequisite: PNUR 103, PNUR 104, PNUR 105
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 | 10 |
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| Total Credits | |
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| Total Hours | 40 |
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Typical hours per week breakdown| Lecture | 4 |
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Describe pathophysiology as it relates to common presentations of illness
- Give examples of cellular alterations
- Describe the inflammatory and reparative processes
- Explain physical and psychosocial stressors
- Explain the following terms contributing to alterations in body function: inflammation, infection, obstruction/occlusion, genetics, congenital, cancer, traumatic injury, degeneration
- Explain compensatory and decompensatory mechanisms
- Describe chronic versus acute illness in the context of disease (health continuum and disease versus illness)
- Identify the nursing management of disease and illness for body systems across the lifespan
- Identify holistic and traditional healing practices associated with common illness
- Define the influence of culture in health and healing
- Identify appropriate evidence-informed research and practice resources
Teaching and Learning Approach
Instructors provide direction of learning in preparation, in course activities and reflection of the content. The
instructor acts as facilitator and subject matter expert to promote an environment conducive for learning through
activities such as guided discussion, debate, audio-visual presentation, group activities, online activities, skill
building exercises and simulation.Learning Resources
Lewis, S. L., Bucher, L., Heitkemper, M. M., Barry, M. A., Lok, J., Tyerman, J., & Goldsworthy, S. (2022). Medical-
Surgical Nursing in Canada (5th ed.). Elsevier.
Vallerand, A. H., & Sanoski, C. A. (2023). Davis's Canadian Drug Guide for Nurses (18th ed.). F.A. Davis
Company.
Williams & Wilkins. Potter, P. A. & Perry, A. (2018) Canadian fundamentals of nursing (6th ed.). Toronto, ON:
Elsevier Canada.Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Overview of course & assignment Introduction to course (Variations in Health I); Introduction to pathophysiology -maintaining homeostasis - mechanisms -homeostasis related to disease/illness -Illness vs disease -chronic vs acute illness - cell alteration - chain of infection
2. Body System Alterations -inflammation -infection -trauma -obstruction/occlusion -genetics/familial -congenital -cancer -physical & psychosocial stressors
3. Pathophysiology of Specific Diseases
4. Holistic Wellness
5. Intro to Diagnostics & Labs
6. Nursing Process -Assessment -Diagnoses (nursing) -Planning -Intervention -Evaluation
7. Class time to work on Care Plan Assignment
8. Care Plan Group Presentation
9. Traditional & Alternative Approaches to Healing
10. Traditional & Alternative Approaches to Healing
11. Home Study
12. Review
13. Final cumulative exam - In classAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
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| Quiz #1 | 1-5 | 20% |
| Quiz #2 | 1-11 | 20% |
| Presentation | 1-11 | 25% |
| Final cumulative exam | 1-11 | 35% |
| 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.