This document outlines the course objectives, content, and structure for Nursing 348 - Pathophysiology I. The 3-credit course is taken at the junior level and focuses on the characteristics and manifestations of disease caused by alterations to the body's structure or functions. Over 14 topics will be covered, including alterations in urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, immune, and musculoskeletal systems. Evaluation will be based on attainment of course objectives and a grading scale is provided. The course will utilize lecture, discussion, and audiovisual aids to cover the pathophysiology of various disease states.

1. Approved 5/2014
Faculty Approved 9/19/2014
Nursing 348 - Pathophysiology I
The College of Nursing will build upon its tradition of developing caring
and scholarly nurse leaders who positively impact contemporary and future health care.
Credits: 3
Placement: Junior I
Pre/Co- requisites: Successful completion of Nursing 212.
Course Description:
The first of two courses focusing on the characteristics and manifestations of disease caused by
alterations or injury to the body structure or functions. Conditions in which altered metabolism,
inadequate supply and use of oxygen; altered blood and nutrient transport; fluid, electrolyte and
acid-base imbalances and altered structures of bones and/or muscles are discussed. The body
defenses, including the stress response and the interrelationship of the physical, emotional and
psychological responses in actual disease or disease threat are included in the course.
Objectives:
1. Describe the mechanism of the body's stress response and its relationship to homeostasis,
adaptation, dysfunction and disease.
2. Examine the functions of the body's defense mechanisms and the pathophysiology of the
immune response including hypersensitivity responses and immunodeficiency states with
special consideration of HIV and AIDS, and transplant rejection.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the physiology of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance and the
pathophysiology of conditions involving imbalances and/or deficiencies.
4. Describe the pathophysiology of inadequate or altered oxygenation and blood supply and
fluid and gas transport for common disease conditions of the cardiovascular and respiratory
systems.
5. Relate the significant pathophysiology involved in musculoskeletal alterations caused by
trauma or conditions involving altered growth and/or functioning.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the pathophysiology involved in disease metabolism,
especially conditions of endocrine such as diabetes mellitus/insipidus.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the physiology, manifestations of the various types of pain,
and the significance of pain as a symptom.
Communication:
In all interactions the student is expected to demonstrate the values of professional nursing
(altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice) as outlined in the AACN
Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing. All communication with students will be via UW Oshkosh

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email addresses; email should be checked a minimum of daily Monday through Friday. Faculty
responses can be expected within forty-eight hours Monday through Friday.
Attendance/Participation:
Students are expected to be active participants in each course session which may include
classroom, laboratory, online, simulation, clinical, and/or activities. Each activity is an integral
part of each student’s education. Students are expected to be present and punctual for all
scheduled course sessions. Students should not schedule appointments or any other commitments
during course hours. The faculty member will determine what constitutes excessive absenteeism
and will inform students about expectations at the beginning of the course. Students are required
to communicate with faculty about an absence prior to the course session that will be missed. It
is the student’s responsibility to contact the faculty to arrange any make-up work required.
Excessive absences may warrant the student to withdraw from the course, earn an incomplete
grade, or earn a failing grade. (See the University and College of Nursing attendance policies in
the student handbooks.)
Academic Integrity:
The College of Nursing follows University Policy in matters relating to academic dishonesty
(e.g. plagiarism, cheating on exams, etc.). A copy of the University Policy is available in the
office of the Dean of Students, Dempsey Hall. To view UW Oshkosh Student Discipline code,
visit the Dean of Students website.
Early Alert:
Early Alert is a program that provides students with an Early Grade Report from faculty. Early
Grade Reports will indicate academic performance or attendance issues, specific steps to take,
and resources available to facilitate improvement. It is common for students to be unaware or
over-estimate their academic performance in classes so this process helps students to become
aware early on about progress and to learn strategies for success in the classroom. Students will
receive an email during the 5th
week of classes. It is important to read the entire email carefully.
Please note that some faculty do not use the Early Alert system; it is the student’s responsibility
to be aware of one’s own course grades.
e-Portfolio:
As students proceed through courses at UW Oshkosh, artifacts documenting learning will be
maintained in an ePortfolio. The ePortfolio can be found in D2L. The ePortfolio enables students
to keep track of papers, speeches, reports, projects, and other assignments in Quest, Explore, and
other courses, so that learning progress and the connecting ideas across different classes is
documented. In the CONNECT course, students can use collected artifacts to create a digital
story of one’s learning journey at UW Oshkosh. Students continue to use the portfolio in major
classes as a foundation for the Capstone course or experience near graduation. The ePortfolio
may be used after graduation to show evidence of learning to prospective employers or graduate
schools. In the EXPLORE course (and all USP courses), a specific assignment may be
designated as a requirement to be uploaded into the ePortfolio.

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Disability Services:
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for
students with disabilities. Please contact Disability Services in the Dean of Students Office, 125
Dempsey Hall, 424-3100 [Voice], 424-1319 [TTY] for the University’s accommodation request
form and documentation requirements. Information related to an individual’s accommodation
request and/or arrangements will be confidential and will be shared with relevant University
personnel or offices on a “need-to-know” basis. Students are responsible to share
accommodations with faculty in each course.
Textbooks:
See the UW Oshkosh “University Books & More” website. The College of Nursing orders
specific and unique textbook packages or bundles which often include internet access codes,
therefore, it is essential that these are purchased through the “University Books or More” store
located in Reeve Memorial Union.
Evaluation:
Evaluation will be based upon students’ attainment of course objectives. Grades are assigned
according to the College of Nursing Grading Policy found in the Student Policies and Procedures
Handbook. Standardized tests may also be used. When used, students must pass the standardized
test at a score established by the College of Nursing to successfully complete the course.
Grading Policy:
The following scale is used by the College of Nursing when grading. Students must earn a grade
of C or better to pass a theory or clinical course. The norm at the University of Wisconsin
Oshkosh is to round up when the final grade percentage is at .5 level or higher. The
Undergraduate Program Committee in the College of Nursing endorses this grading practice.
A = 94 -100
A- = 91 - 93
B+ = 89 - 90
B = 86 - 88
B- = 83 - 85
C+ = 80 - 82
C = 77 - 79
C- = 74 - 76
D+ = 71 - 73
D = 68 - 70
D- = 65 - 67
F = 64 and below
A grade of C or higher is required to pass all undergraduate courses and to progress in the
program.
Instructional Methods:
This course will be primarily lecture/discussion to emphasize and clarify readings completed by
the student. Audiovisual aids including computer graphics will be used for demonstration of
cellular and clinical manifestations.

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Topical Outline:
I. Alterations in the Urinary system .
A. Physiology of the urinary system: kidney structure, function and location
B. Regulation of renal blood flow
C. Elimination and endocrine function of the kidney
D. Tests of renal function
E. Obstructive disorders, congenital and hereditary disorders
F. Urinary tract infections in women, men, children and the elderly
G. Disorders of glomerular function (nephritic and nephrotic syndromes, chronic
glomerulonephritis)
H. Tubulointerstitial disorders (pyelonephritis, drug related nephropathies, and
neoplasm's)
I. Acute renal failure
J. Chronic renal failure
II. Alterations in Urine Elimination
A. Micturition and neural bladder control
B. Urinary obstruction and stasis
C. Neurogenic bladder disorders (spastic and flaccid bladder syndromes)
D. Urinary incontinence (stress, overactive bladder and overflow)
E. Urinary incontinence (diagnosis and treatment)
F. Cancer of the bladder
III. Disorders of Venous Circulation
A. Varicose veins, venous insufficiency and venous thrombosis
B. Disorders of blood caused by extravascular forces (pressure ulcers)
IV. Cellular Structure and Function
A. Energy metabolism
B. Body tissue (skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle)
V. Stress and Adaptation
A. Stress response, defense and homeostasis
B. Stress and manifestations
C. Stress and disease (common illness associated with stress)
D. Relationship between physiological and psychological factors
E. Postoperative ileus as a stress response
VI. Properties of the Immune system
A. Specific Immunity features
B. Immunoglobulins (IgM,IgG,IgA,IgD)
C. Cell-mediated immunity (natural killer cells, and cytokines)
D. The immune response (innate vs. acquired)
E. Humoral immunity and the complement system
F. Immune response in the elderly
G. Allergic and hypersensitivity reactions (type I–IgE mast cell degranulation,
type II–cytotoxic, type III–Immune complex disease, type IV—cell mediated)
H. Tuberculosis, latex allergy, dermatitis, organ transplantation and rejection
I. Immune deficiency, e.g., AIDS, HIV
J. Anaphylactic shock (triggers, signs and symptoms and treatment)
K. Asthma (triggers, signs and symptoms and treatment)

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L. Chronic obstructive bronchitis (signs, symptoms and treatment)
M. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (signs, symptoms and treatment)
N. Urticaria
VII. Inflammation, Tissue repair and Fever
A. The inflammatory response
B. Vascular response associated with acute inflammation
C. Cellular responses associated with acute inflammation
D. Inflammatory mediators
E. Chronic inflammation
F. Systemic manifestations of inflammation
G. Tissue repair and wound healing (phases, and factors that effect healing)
H. Temperature regulation (heat production and loss)
I. Fever (patterns, signs, symptoms and treatment)
J. Fever in children and the elderly
K. Alterations in white blood cells
VIII. Infection
A. Causes of infectious diseases (bacteria, viruses, influenza virus, colds, fungi, and
prions)
B. Infectious diseases (pneumonia and tuberculosis)
IX. Physiology and Significance of Pain
A. Organization and control of somatosensory function
B. Pain mechanisms and response
C. Conditions producing special types of pain: headaches, neuralgia, phantom limb,
temporal arthritis, ischemia
D. Significance of pain as a symptom, types of pain, threshold and tolerance
E. Pain management: adults, children and the elderly
X. Fluid, Electrolyte, Acid-Base Functioning and Imbalances
A. Alterations in fluids and electrolytes: fluid and electrolyte conditions (hyper-hypo
conditions related to potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium)
B. Osmolarity, capillary/interstitial fluid exchange, fluid shift, and edema
C. Regulating body fluids, thirst, and antidiuretic hormone
D. Fluid volume deficits, excess and electrolyte deficits (sodium, potassium,
calcium, phosphate and magnesium)
XI. Pathophysiology of Oxygenation and Transport Disturbances
A. Alterations in cardiovascular
B. Anatomy review: the heart, valves, vessels and tissue
C. Cardiac cycle, blood volume and pressures, nervous system control
D. Alterations in blood flow: hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and
atherosclerosis
E. Coronary artery disesase
F. Peripheral vascular disorders (thrombus formation, aneurysms, emboli, venoris
stasis)
G. Arterial disease of the extremities: atherosclerotic occlusive disease, Buerger’s
disease, and Raynaud’s syndrome
H. Hypertension (HTN), essential and secondary HTN, and target organ disease
I. Pulmonary hypertension

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XII. Alterations in Respiratory Function
A. Structure and function, control of breathing, respiratory center, pacemaker, and
chemoreceptors
B. Pneumonia
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema and chronic bronchitis)
D. Chronic bronchitis (manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment)
E. Emphysema (manifestations diagnosis, and treatment)
F. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
G. Sleep apnea
XIII. Acid/Base and Blood Gases
A. Carbon dioxide and bicarbonate production
B. Production of metabolic acids
C. Regulation of pH
D. Alterations in arterial blood gases
E. Primary acid/base disorders
F. Analysis of arterial blood gases
XIV. Altered Skeletal and Muscular Function
A. Skeletal tissue, function and types of cells,
B. Bone function of cells and types classified by shape and joints
C. Endocrine function (parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and vitamin D)
D. Osteoporosis
E. Soft tissue (joint, and knee injuries)
F. Fractures of skeletal system (manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and healing)
G. Rheumatoid arthritis (manifestations, diagnosis and treatment)
H. Osteoarthritis (manifestations, diagnosis and treatment)
I. Chronic autoimmune or unknown etiology (systemic lupus erythmatosus and
ankylosing spondylitis)