Health Care Concepts III: Nursing Study Guide (Syllabus Overview)

Health Care Concepts III: Syllabus Overview

Course Description and Structure

This course provides in-depth coverage of health care concepts with a focus on nursing applications. It utilizes a concept-based approach, emphasizing clinical judgment skills and the interrelatedness of health care concepts across the lifespan. Students engage in lectures, laboratory sessions, and independent case studies.

• Credit Hours: 5 semester hours

• Lecture Hours: 4 per week

• Laboratory Hours: 4 per week

• Contact Hours: 128 total

• Required Textbooks: Pearson Education (2023), NurseThink series

Major Units of Study

The course is organized around key health care concepts and their clinical exemplars. Each unit includes learning objectives, assignments, and case studies.

• Cellular Regulation: Cancer types (breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, leukemia, skin)

• Immunity: Tuberculosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Multiple Sclerosis

• Intracranial Regulation: Increased intracranial pressure, seizure disorders, traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, meningitis, hydrocephalus

• Mobility: Cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, musculoskeletal trauma (fractures, amputation, compartment syndrome)

• Mood/Affect: Bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, suicide, postpartum depression

• Human Development: Down syndrome, ADHD/ADD, autism spectrum disorder, menopause

• Interpersonal Relationships: Aging, disability, expanding family

• Sexuality: Dyspareunia, erectile dysfunction, altered libido, sexually transmitted infections, gender dysphoria

• Reproduction: Contraception, infertility, pregnancy, hypertensive disorders, placental complications, preterm labor, postpartum care, newborn care

• End of Life: Death and dying, palliative and hospice care, pediatric end-of-life

• Grief: Grief and loss, stillborn, terminal illness, SIDS

Learning Objectives

• Analyze health care concepts for patients across the lifespan

• Prioritize nursing management of care for selected concepts

• Apply learned concepts to other exemplars

• Examine interrelatedness among health care concepts for clinical judgment

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Cellular Regulation: Functions within a cell to maintain homeostasis, including replication and growth.

• Immunity: Physiological response to microorganisms and proteins; includes optimal, suppressed, and exaggerated responses.

• Intracranial Regulation: Mechanisms affecting brain processing and function.

• Mobility: Purposeful physical movement dependent on musculoskeletal and nervous systems.

• Mood/Affect: Mood is the internal feeling state; affect is the observable response.

• Human Development: Sequence of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive changes across the lifespan.

• Sexuality: Central aspect of human identity, encompassing sex, gender, orientation, intimacy, and reproduction.

• Reproduction: Process by which organisms produce offspring.

• End of Life: Holistic care focusing on physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs.

• Grief: Response to loss, including emotional, physical, and social dimensions.

• Interpersonal Relationships: Factors affecting social associations and connections.

Assessment and Grading

• Unit Exams: 60%

• Comprehensive Final: 30%

• Benchmark Exams: 10%

• Grade Scale:

  • A: 90-100

  • B: 80-89

  • C: 76-79

  • D: 70-74

  • F: 69 or below

• Minimum Passing Grade: 76%

• Remediation: Required for scores below 76% on any test; mandatory meetings and completion of assigned remediation.

Professional Nursing Competencies

The syllabus integrates the Texas Board of Nursing Differentiated Entry Competencies (DECs), which include:

• Member of the Profession: Legal scope, accountability, advocacy, professional development

• Provider of Patient-Centered Care: Clinical reasoning, assessment, care planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching

• Patient Safety Advocate: Knowledge of safety standards, risk management, infection control

• Member of the Health Care Team: Coordination, collaboration, communication, advocacy, resource referral, information management, delegation, supervision

Attendance and Conduct Policies

• Prompt and regular attendance required; excessive absences or tardiness result in performance improvement plans or course failure.

• Academic integrity is strictly enforced; violations may result in disciplinary action or dismissal.

• Use of AI tools is permitted with proper citation and transparency.

• Disability accommodations available per ADA guidelines.

• Title IX protections for sexual misconduct and parenting students.

Texas Concept-Based Curriculum: Concept Table

The following table summarizes the main concepts, exemplars, and activities covered in the course:

Concept	Exemplars	Activities
Cellular Regulation	Breast Cancer, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Leukemia, Skin Cancer	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Immunity	Tuberculosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, SLE, MS, IBD	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Intracranial Regulation	Seizure Disorder, Stroke, TBI, Brain Tumor, Meningitis	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Mobility	Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Cord Injury, Musculoskeletal Trauma	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Mood/Affect	Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Suicide, Post-Partum Depression	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Human Development	Down Syndrome, ADHD/ADD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Menopause, Aging	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Sexuality	Dyspareunia, Erectile Dysfunction, STIs, Altered Libido, Gender Dysphoria, Menopause, Contraception	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Reproduction	Contraception, Infertility, Pregnancy, Placental Complications, Preterm Labor, Labor, Preeclampsia, Postpartum Hemorrhage	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
End of Life	Senescence, PVS, ALS, Pancreatic Cancer, Hospice, Pediatric	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Grief	Prenatal Diagnosis, Stillborn, Amputation, SIDS, Terminal Illness	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors
Interpersonal Relationships	Aging, Disability, Expanding Family	Case studies, problem-based learning, discussion of patient/family/community factors

Additional Info

• Students are expected to engage in independent case studies and problem-based learning activities for each concept.

• Clinical judgment, cultural competence, and evidence-based practice are emphasized throughout the curriculum.

• Legal and ethical parameters, leadership, and principles of delegation are integrated into all units.