vcc.ca
NURS 2104: Variations in Health A
Effective date
September 2019
Department
Access to Practical Nursing
School
Health Sciences
Description
This 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. The learners understanding of pathophysiology as it relates to the aging process and selected chronic illness will increase. A major focus of this course is on the care of the older adult experiencing a health challenge. Cultural diversity in healing practices will be explored as well as evidence informed research and practice.
Credits
2.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
Admission to the Access to Practical Nursing Program.
Corequisites
NURS 2101, NURS 2102, NURS 2103, NURS 2105, NURS 2106.
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 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
- Explain the pathophysiology of common chronic illness related to the aging process;
- Describe the nursing management of illness associated with aging
- Identify altered presentations of illnesses in the older adult client
- Identify common mental health challenges or mental illness experienced by older adults (e.g., differences between normal aging and symptoms of a mental illness in older adults)
- Give examples of diversity in traditional healing practices in management of chronic illness
- Explain the influence of culture and cultural competency in health and healing
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 60
Total Hours: 60
Total Hours: 60
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 |
|
Quizzes/Tests |
50 |
|
|
Assignments |
15 |
Class Presentation |
|
Final Exam |
35 |
Comprehensive Final Exam |
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 (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 includes: 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 safe 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 (acupuncture, smudging, sweat lodge, reiki); Introduction to diagnostics
- Cultural diversity in health and healing;
- Introduction to evidence-informed research and practice; Physiological changes in the older adult contributing to disease and illness;
- Recognition and presentation of common disease and illness in the older adult; Nursing management of disease and illness for the older adult according to body systems.
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.