NURS 220: Pathophysiology

Term: Fall 2026

Credits: 3.0

Meeting Schedule & Location: Monday & Wednesday 8:00–9:15 a.m., Calder Health Sciences Building 150 (Calder 150)

Modality: In-Person Clinical Lecture & Case-Based Seminar

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Janelle Price, RN, PhD, CNE (Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing)
• Email: jprice@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Calder Health Sciences Building 224 (Calder 224)
• Office Hours:
• Monday & Wednesday: 9:30–11:00 a.m. (In person, Calder 224)
• Thursday: 4:00–5:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom / Alkimi Portal; link on Canvas)
• Individual clinical academic consultations available by email appointment.

Course Description

Mechanisms of disease across body systems, as a foundation for nursing assessment and care. NURS 220 examines the biological processes leading to abnormal human functioning and disease states. Students explore cellular adaptation, injury, and death; genetic and environmental etiologies; systemic inflammation and immune responses; fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base derangements; and the pathophysiological basis of alterations in cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, endocrine, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems. Emphasis is placed on correlating cellular and molecular dysfunctions with clinical manifestations, diagnostic findings, and nursing interventions necessary for competent clinical practice.

Prerequisites

Completion of BIO 101, BIOL 201 (Human Anatomy & Physiology I), BIOL 202 (Human Anatomy & Physiology II), and CHEM 101 with a grade of "C" (2.0) or higher; formal admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, or permission of the School of Nursing department chair.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of NURS 220, students will be able to:

1. Analyze Cellular Pathodynamics: Differentiate between normal cellular physiology and pathological responses, including cellular adaptation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, necrosis, and apoptosis.
2. Evaluate Inflammatory and Immune Alterations: Contrast acute and chronic inflammation, explain the physiological cascades producing the cardinal and systemic signs of inflammation, and analyze mechanisms of hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and immunodeficiency.
3. Interpret Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis: Interpret complex clinical laboratory profiles (arterial blood gases, serum electrolytes, osmolarity) to identify underlying compensatory mechanisms and clinical risks.
4. Link Systemic Pathophysiology to Clinical Manifestations: Map the molecular and structural etiologies of organ-specific diseases (heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute kidney injury, type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, cirrhosis) to objective clinical assessment findings.
5. Synthesize Diagnostic and Laboratory Data: Correlate hematologic, biochemical, microbiological, and imaging data with disease progression and patient prognosis.
6. Formulate Pathophysiologically Grounded Nursing Prioritizations: Synthesize multi-system disease interactions (including shock states and systemic inflammatory response syndrome) to prioritize evidence-based nursing interventions and anticipate life-threatening clinical deteriorations.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Primary Textbook: McCance, Kathryn L., and Sue E. Huether. Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. 9th Edition. St. Louis: Elsevier, 2023. (ISBN: 978-0323789875). Approximate cost: $115 new, $68 rental, or free digital access via Alkimi University Library Electronic Reserves.
2. Clinical Reference Guide: VanMeter, Karin C., and Robert J. Hubert. Gould's Pathophysiology for the Health Professions. 7th Edition. Elsevier, 2022. (Recommended clinical pocket handbook; optional print approx. $45; available on reserve in Whitcombe Library).
3. Total Estimated Course Material Cost: $0.00–$68.00 (leveraging library digital reserves).

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 1: AI Not Permitted for Graded Work)

In accordance with School of Nursing & Health Sciences clinical preparation standards and university policy (Student Handbook §5.8), NURS 220 is designated AI Level 1.

• Rationale: As pre-licensure nursing students, your future patients' lives depend upon your personal, internalized diagnostic acumen, rapid physiological pattern recognition, and unassisted clinical critical thinking. Relying on automated external text generators compromises the foundational clinical judgment required for safe nursing practice and NCLEX-RN licensure.
• Prohibited Uses: The use of generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, or automated paraphrasers) is strictly prohibited on all graded coursework, including weekly quizzes, Clinical Case Study analyses (such as Assignment 1), pathophysiological concept maps, midterm exams, and the final examination. Submitting any text, diagnostic mapping, or rationale generated in whole or in part by AI violates the university Academic Integrity Policy (Student Handbook §5.1) and the School of Nursing Professional Honor Code.
• Permitted Study Aid Uses: You may consult the NURS 220 Alkimi Learning Assistant solely as an interactive flashcard or conversational tutor for personal study—such as testing your recall of terminology, explaining complex physiological pathways (e.g., the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system), or providing practice analogies. However, no AI-generated content may be incorporated into any submitted assignment.

Grading Components and Weights

• Midterm Examination 1: 20% (Wednesday, October 7)
• Midterm Examination 2: 20% (Wednesday, November 4)
• Final Comprehensive Examination: 25% (Monday, December 14, 8:00–10:00 a.m.)
• Clinical Case Studies (4 assignments): 20% (Case Study 1: 5%, Due Friday, September 18)
• Weekly Pathophysiology Readiness Quizzes (10 quizzes, lowest dropped): 10%
• Clinical Seminar Participation & Readiness Discussions: 5%

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard / School of Nursing Benchmark)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% (Minimum passing grade to progress in BSN sequence) | C: 73–76%
• C-: 70–72% | D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%

Note: In accordance with School of Nursing policy, students must achieve an overall grade of "C+" (77.0%) or higher in NURS 220 to advance to junior-level clinical nursing courses (Undergraduate Catalog §7.3).

15-Week Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance and Clinical Seminar Expectations

Prompt attendance at all lecture and case discussion meetings is mandatory. In-person discussion of clinical vignettes fosters essential diagnostic discernment. Under university policy (Student Handbook §6.1), missing the first two class meetings without prior written notice will result in administrative withdrawal. Students missing more than four class periods without formal documentation will be referred to the Nursing Academic Standing Committee.

Late Work Policy

Clinical case studies are due on Canvas by 11:59 p.m. on the designated Friday.

• Case studies submitted late will incur a 10% penalty per 24 hours, accepted up to a maximum of 48 hours late (Sunday at 11:59 p.m.).
• Submissions beyond 48 hours will receive a grade of zero because clinical rationale keys and diagnostic debriefs are released immediately.
• Weekly readiness quizzes close Sunday at 11:59 p.m. and cannot be taken late; the lowest quiz score is dropped to accommodate unexpected personal illnesses.

Excused Absences & Religious Observances

Requests for excused absences due to university-sponsored academic or athletic commitments must be presented in writing at least one week in advance. Observance of religious holy days requires written notification to Dr. Price by the end of the second week of classes (Wednesday, September 9, 2026).

Final Exam Rescheduling Policy

Under Alkimi University Academic Policy (Student Handbook §6.4), any student with three or more final examinations scheduled on the same calendar day may petition to reschedule the middle examination. To reschedule, submit your written petition and official exam schedules to Dr. Price no later than Wednesday, December 9, 2026.

Academic Integrity

The university Academic Integrity Policy (Student Handbook §5.1) and the School of Nursing Professional Honor Code apply strictly. Plagiarism, cheating on examinations, fabricating patient data in clinical scenarios, or unauthorized collaboration on case studies will result in an immediate course grade of "F" and referral to the Office of Academic Integrity (Lovell Hall 315, integrity@university.alkimi.ai, (555) 555-0163). In healthcare education, integrity is inseparable from patient safety.

Accessibility Services & Accommodations

Alkimi University is committed to ensuring full educational access for students with documented disabilities. Accommodations are coordinated through the Office of Accessibility Services:

• Office: Harlan Hall 204
• Phone: (555) 555-0155
• Email: access@university.alkimi.ai

Students requesting testing or classroom accommodations must deliver their approved accommodation letter to Dr. Price within the first two weeks of classes.

Campus Student Support Services

• Academic Advising Center: Lovell Hall 101 | (555) 555-0158 | advising@university.alkimi.ai
• Writing Center: Whitcombe Library 3rd Floor | Assistance with health sciences scholarly papers and clinical case documentation.
• Hollis Health & Counseling Center: Hollis Center | (555) 555-0190 | 24/7 Crisis & Mental Health Support: (555) 555-0199 | health@university.alkimi.ai
• School of Nursing Peer Tutoring Lab: Calder Health Sciences Building 210 | Drop-in tutoring by senior BSN peers, Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00–7:00 p.m.