vcc.ca
NURS 1004: Variations in Health 1
Effective date
September 2019
Department
Practical Nursing
School
Health Sciences
Description
This introductory course provides the learner 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 will be explored as well as the incorporation of evidenced informed practice.
Credits
1.5
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
NURS 1001, NURS 1002, NURS 1003, NURS 1005, NURS 1006.
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students 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 disease (health continuum); 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.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 42
Total Hours: 42
Total Hours: 42
Instructional Strategies
Course guides provide direction of learning in preparation, in course activities and reflection of the content. The instructor acts as facilitator and 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.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
B-
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Exam |
25 |
|
|
Exam |
25 |
|
|
Assignments |
15 |
Class presentation |
|
Final Exam |
35 |
Comprehensive Final Exam-Questions based on case scenarios |
Course topics
- 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: i.e. inflammation, infection, obstruction/occlusion, genetics, familial, cancer, trauma
- Physical and psychosocial stressors
- Chronic versus acute disease (health continuum); illness versus disease
- 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.
- Nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan
- 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
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.