Course Syllabus
Course Title: Nursing Pathophysiology
Course Code: NSG 120
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture and Discussion (15 contact hours per credit)
45 Contact Hours
Course Description:
This course focuses on the basic understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness
with an emphasis placed on cellular alterations in organ systems as they relate to selected
disease states. Opportunities will be presented that provide for the use of critical thinking
processes to analyze diverse client presentations of selected illness for symptomatology,
pathophysiology, and health care implications.
Program: Nursing
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:
1. Prioritize patient-centered care using clinical judgment and the nursing process.
2. Collaborate with patients, families and team members to provide safe and
culturally competent care.
3. Integrate evidence-based practice within diverse clinical settings to deliver optimal
care.
4. Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both systems effectiveness
and individual performance.
5. Use informational technology to communicate, mitigate error, support decision
making, and manage patient care.
6. Evaluate quality improvement processes to enhance patient outcomes.
7. Integrate professionalism and advanced leadership skills within the interdisciplinary
healthcare environment.
8. Analyze national and global policies, legislative concepts, and economics to address
population outcomes.
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
1
Course Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Based on prerequisite knowledge of anatomy and physiology, explain abnormal
physiological processes and disorders in the human body.
2. Describe cellular adaptation and defense mechanisms.
3. Describe the role of genetics and genomics in pathophysiology.
4. Describe the pathophysiological processes of common alterations in health.
5. Explain the physiological basis for signs, symptoms, diagnostic test results, and
treatments of common alterations in health.
6. Identify risk factors, prevention strategies, and health promotion strategies based on
genetics and pathophysiological knowledge.
7. Apply pathophysiological principles to case situations as a basis for nursing practice.
8. Discuss pathophysiological changes in special populations.
9. Discuss ethical issues related to genetic and pathophysiological concepts associated
with alterations in health.
Topics & Learning Activities
Module
1
Introduction to
Pathophysiology &
Mechanisms of
Disease Part 1
Topics & Activities
Points
Possible
Topics:
Introduction to Pathophysiology
• Principles of Disease & Pathophysiology
• Diagnosis & Treatment Modalities
Primary Mechanisms of Disease Part 1
• Genetics & Congenital Alterations
• Cancer
• Immune Responses
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Introduction Discussion
2
Mechanisms of
Disease Part 2
50
20
20
Topics:
Primary Mechanisms of Disease Part 2
• Malnutrition & Obesity
• Aging
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
2
•
Trauma
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Basic Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
3
Inflammation &
Wound Healing
Assessments: Quiz #1 on Unit 1 and 2 Content
Topics:
Inflammation & Wound Healing
• The Inflammatory Process
• Infection
50
20
100
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
4
Disorders of the
Integumentary
System
50
Topics:
Disorders of the Integumentary System
• Review of A&P, Skin Lesions, & Cancer
• Inflammatory & Infectious Disorders of the Skin
• Trauma & Pigmentation Disorders
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Integumentary Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Integumentary Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
5
Disorders of the
Eyes and Ears
Assessments: Quiz #2 on Unit 3 and 4 Content
Topics:
Disorders of the Eyes & Ears
• Disorders of the Eyes
• Disorders of the Ears
50
20
20
100
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
3
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• EENT Medical Terminology Worksheet
6
Disorders of the
Respiratory System
50
20
Topics:
Disorders of the Respiratory System
• Review of A&P & Process of Oxygenation
• Infectious Disorders
• Obstructive Lung Diseases
• Vascular and Expansion Disorders
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Respiratory Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Respiratory Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
7
Disorders of Fluid,
Electrolyte & Acid
Base Balance
Assessments: Quiz #3 on Unit 5 and 6 Content
Topics:
Fluid, Electrolyte, & Acid Base Balance
• Fluid Imbalances
• Electrolyte Imbalances
• Acid-Base Imbalances
50
20
20
100
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
8
Disorders of the
Gastrointestinal &
Urinary Systems
50
Topics:
Disorders of the Gastrointestinal & Urinary Systems
• Review of A&P Gastrointestinal System
• Disorders of the Gastrointestinal System
• Review of A&P Urinary System
• Disorders of the Urinary System
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
4
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
9
Disorders of the
Cardiovascular &
Peripheral Vascular
Systems
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• GI Medical Terminology Worksheet
• GI Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
• Urinary Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Urinary Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
50
20
20
20
20
Assessments: Quiz #4 on Unit 7 and 8 Content
100
Topics:
Disorders of the Cardiovascular & Peripheral Vascular Systems
• Review of A&P of Cardiovascular & Peripheral Vascular
Systems
• Heart Disorders & Shock
• Vascular Disorders
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Cardiovascular Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Cardiovascular Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
Assessments: Mid-Term Exam
Covering Unit 1-8 Content
10
Disorders of the
Blood & Lymphatic
Systems
50
20
20
20
100
Topics:
Disorders of the Blood and Lymphatic Systems
• Blood and Circulatory System
• Lymphatic System
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Hematology Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
Assessments: Quiz #5 on Unit 9 and 10 Content
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
50
20
100
5
11
Disorders of the
Nervous System
Topics:
Disorders of the Nervous System
• Review of A&P of Nervous System
• Acute Neurological Problems
• Chronic and Congenital Neurologic Disorders
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Neuro Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Neuro Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
12
Disorders of the
Musculoskeletal
System
50
20
20
Topics:
Disorders of the Musculoskeletal System
• Review of A&P of Musculoskeletal System
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
13
Disorders of the
Endocrine System
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Muscular Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Skeletal Medical Terminology Worksheet
• M/S Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
• Case Study PowerPoint Presentation
50
20
20
20
150
Assessments: Quiz #6 on Unit 11 and 12 Content
100
Topics:
Disorders of the Endocrine System
• Review of A&P of Endocrine System & Endocrine
Dysfunction of Pancreas
• Pituitary Gland Diseases and Adrenal Gland Diseases
• Thyroid and Parathyroid Gland Diseases
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
6
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Endocrine Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Endocrine Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
14
Disorders of the
Reproductive
System
50
20
20
Topics:
Disorders of the Reproductive System
• Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
• Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Reading: Selected readings as provided in adaptive platform
Optional: Note-Taking Disease Grid for Lecture
15
Assignments:
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Reproductive Medical Terminology Worksheet
• Reproductive Diagnostic Grid Group Assignment
50
20
20
Assignments:
Discussion: Wrap Up
20
Assessments: Final Exam (comprehensive)
100
Exam grades that appear in RealizeIt do not reflect the final grade and should be disregarded.
The final grade will become visible in the Canvas platform after the test item analysis has been
completed.
*Pass rates may vary by program requirement- Refer to the University Catalog
Undergraduate Grade Scale
A
B
C
F
90.00% - 100.00%
80.00% - 89.99%
76.00% -79.99%
0.00 -75.99%
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
7
Grade Summary
Grade Summary
Medical Terminology Worksheets, Diagnostic Grids, &
Discussions
Case Study & Presentation
Quizzes (6)
Knowledge Check Questions
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
Total
Weight
Method of
Scoring
5%
Points
10%
25%
10%
25%
25%
100%
Rubric
Points
Points
Points
Points
POLICIES
*University policies, such as attendance philosophy, notification of absences, extenuating
circumstances, accommodation requests, academic dishonesty, late policy, grading and grading
symbols, and student conduct are included in the University catalog. Students should reference
the catalog for the complete listing of policies.
*Note: In some cases, program and/or course specific information may be appended to the
syllabus as an addendum. In these instances, students must consider the syllabus to be inclusive
of any appended information, and as such, students must adhere to all course requirements as
described in the document in its entirety.
To pass this course, students must achieve a minimum exam average of 76%. This exam average
is determined by the average scores of all exams in the course. This does not apply to Dosage
Calculation exams, PassPoint exams, ShadowHealth exams, or HESI Exit Exams.
After achieving the 76% exam average, the exam scores are applied to the weighted grading scale
to calculate the final course grade. The final course grade is inclusive of all course requirements
in the weighted grading scale to determine the final course grade. A final course grade of 76% or
higher is required to pass this course.
Final grades will be posted after the exam average has been calculated and applied at the end of
the term.
NSG120 Pathophysiology Syllabus Fall 2023
8