Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Advanced Pathophysiology (Online)

NURS 6610-A70

Course: NURS 6610-A70
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: NURS
CRN: 32904

Course Description

This course provides the FNP student with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize the physiological and pathological foundations of disease states, identify disease progression leading to poor outcomes, and assess, diagnose, and evaluate disease outcomes for patients across the lifespan. Students will learn pathophysiological principles and concepts essential for performing advanced clinical assessments, differential diagnoses, and therapeutic decision-making. This course is designed for the student enrolled in the FNP program. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): NURS 6110 and NURS 6320 Registration Restriction(s): MSN FNP students only

Required Texts


Learning Outcomes


Course Outcomes


By the end of this course, you will be able to:


  1. Recognize diseases and disease processes:
     Students will demonstrate a profound understanding of the physiological and pathological foundations of diverse disease states, showcasing the ability to recognize and categorize conditions across the lifespan.


  2.  


  3. Apply Pathophysiological Concepts to Clinical Decision-Making:
    Students will be able to integrate pathophysiological knowledge into clinical decision-making, and develop the ability to formulate accurate differential diagnoses and recommend evidence-based interventions for complex patient cases.


  4.  


  5. Analyze the Impact of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Disease development:
    Students should be able to analyze the influence of genetic and environmental factors in the development of diseases, recognizing the significance of gene-environment interactions and their implications for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.


  6.  


  7. Exhibit Therapeutic Decision-Making:
    Graduates of the course will exhibit proficiency in therapeutic decision-making, demonstrating the ability to translate pathophysiological insights into tailored interventions that optimize patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of patient-centered care.

Course Requirements


Assignment Outline

Readings


Each week will cover certain chapters. There is an interactive lecture for each chapter in Jones & Bartlett NAVIGATE. Be familiar with the learning objectives for each chapter. Once you have completed the chapter there is a quiz specific to that chapter (in Canvas) that needs to be taken by Sunday @ 11:59.

Discussion


The purpose of the introduction discussion is to help you get to know your classmates and their plans for an FNP career.


All other discussions aim to deepen your understanding of foundational pathophysiological concepts, critical for advanced practice nursing. Through these discussions, you will integrate scientific knowledge with clinical implications relevant to patient assessment and management.

Case Study


Nurse Practitioner students engage in case studies to enhance critical thinking, apply theoretical knowledge, and develop decision-making and problem-solving skills. These studies expose students to diverse clinical scenarios, improve communication and teamwork, and address ethical and professional issues. Additionally, they foster reflective practice and better prepare students for real-world clinical challenges, building confidence and competence for their professional roles.


Submission Guidelines

  • Format: Typed, double-spaced, APA format
  • Length: 5-7 pages, excluding title and reference pages

Quiz


Quizzes are designed to evaluate your comprehension and retention of the key concepts presented in this chapter. they aims to test your ability to recall important information, apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the subject matter. By completing quizzes, you will be able to gauge your grasp of the content and identify areas where further review may be needed.


Students must answer each question to proceed and cannot return to previous questions, so make your selections carefully. Each quiz is timed, with a limit of 1.5 minutes per question. For instance, a quiz with 15 questions will have a total time limit of 22.5 minutes. You will have one attempt on each quiz.


ALL quizzes will be open the first day of the semester and students have until the end of the week of the subject matter to complete each quiz. Students can take each quiz a second time as long as they leave 48 hours between each time taking the quiz. Each quiz is time stamped and the instructor will make sure each second attempt is at least 48 hours after taking the quiz the first time. If a student has taken the quiz earlier than the 48 hours they will be deducted a half point for each question. The quiz attempt with the highest score will be the students recorded grade. Each quiz will automatically close on the Sunday of the subject matter at 11:59 pm of the following week and will not be accessible after that. 

Test


This test is designed to evaluate your comprehension and retention of the key concepts presented in all chapters. It aims to test your ability to recall important information, apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the subject matter. By completing this test, you will be able to gauge your grasp of the content.


Students must answer each question to proceed and cannot return to previous questions, so make your selections carefully. The test is timed, with a limit of 1.5 minute per question. There are 100 questions. Like quizzes there is a second attempt after 48 hours and a half point deducted for each question if a student takes the test less than 48 hours from the first attempt. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time in case you take the test a second time. 


 


Study Guides


You will find that there are study guides in the modules each week. Please be vigilant in using them. They are quite extensive due to the amount of information for each week. However, they will direct you to your need to knows in each chapter which will hopefully cut down your reading extensively. 

Course Outline


Quiz Chapter 1 Cellular Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 2 Immunity Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 3 Hematopoietic Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 4 Cardiovascular Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 5 Pulmonary Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 6 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Homeostasis Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Case study: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema in a 63-Year-Old Female | due by 11:59pm
 Quiz Chapter 7 Urinary Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 8 Reproductive Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 10 Endocrine Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 11 Neural Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 9 Gastrointestinal Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Assignment Case study: 53 yo Metabolic Syndrome | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 12- Musculoskeletal Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 13 Integumentary Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Quiz Chapter 14 Sensory Function Quiz | due by 11:59pm
 Quiz Final Exam | due by 4pm
 Quiz Commenced Attendance Quiz | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Introduction Discussion | due by 11:59pm
Discussion Topic Cellular Function and Immunity Discussion
Discussion Topic GI, Endocrine, and Neural Function Discussion
Discussion Topic Hematopoietic and Cardiovascular Discussion
Discussion Topic MSK, Integumentary, and Sensory Function Discussion
Discussion Topic Pulmonary Function & Acid-Base Homeostasis Discussion
Assignment Sign up for Typhon Account for Clinical
Discussion Topic Urinary and Reproductive Function Discussion

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Policy & Make Up Work/Extra Credit


Papers/assignments are due at the time designated by faculty on CANVAS either in the calendar or syllabi. If you know you will not be able to meet the due date, submit materials early and discuss this with the instructor. With unforeseen circumstances, you may not be able to submit an assignment on the designated due date, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor and negotiate a reasonable alternate due date prior to the original due date. The instructor will determine, based upon individual circumstances, acceptance of late assignments, knowing points may be lost. Submitting your assignments through CANVAS is the required method. Emailing assignments to the instructor are NOT accepted unless arranged with the instructor. If assignments are emailed without acceptance from the instructor only ½ of the point value for that assignment will be given.


Attendance Policy


Attendance in online courses is evaluated based on completion of assignments, participation in online discussions, and timely response to instructor’s emails. Students should notify the faculty in advance if you know you are unable to complete assignments, etc. by the assignment due date. In the case of emergencies, notify the faculty ASAP.




ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.