Overview
Nursing 317 Review of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for BN Practice ll provides an integrated review of disease pathology and pharmacological interventions. This course covers the foundations of pathophysiology and pharmacology related to the endocrine, renal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, and musculoskeletal/integumentary systems.
Outline
NURS 317 comprises seven units. Each unit includes recommended readings, and related learning activities.
- Unit 1: Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems
- Unit 2: Reproductive Systems
- Unit 3: Digestive System
- Unit 4: Endocrine System
- Unit 5: Pulmonary System
- Unit 6: Renal System
- Unit 7: Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
Learning outcomes
After completing Nursing 317: Review of Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for BN Practice ll, you will achieve or exceed the following learning outcomes:
- Explain the relationship between clinical manifestations and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms associated with common health conditions.
- Assess diagnostic and investigative tests by describing how findings correspond to or validate pathophysiological changes across the lifespan.
- Explore the concepts of homeostasis, compensation, and adaptation, and illustrate how these processes operate in both typical and altered physiological states.
- Compare and contrast major pharmacotherapeutic drug groups through interpretation of their mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, adverse effects, and potential interactions.
- Apply principles of safe medication administration by incorporating accurate dosage calculations, lifespan‑specific considerations, and the ethical and legal accountabilities of Registered Nursing practice.
Evaluation
To receive credit for NURS 317, learners must complete and submit all assignments, achieve a minimum pass grade of 64% on the Cumulative Unit Assessment (Units 1-7), and an overall composite grade of a C(64 percent).
The assignments and weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1: Cumulative Unit Assessment (Units 1-3) (Invigilated) | 25% |
| Assignment 2: Cumulative Unit Assessment (Units 4 and 5) (Invigilated) | 35% |
| Assignment 3: Cumulative Unit Assessment (Units 1-7) (Invigilated) | 40% |
| Total | 100% |
Undergraduate nursing (NURS) courses require the use of ProctorU as the only approved invigilation platform. This requirement applies to all assessments designated as invigilated, regardless of whether they are identified as exams, quizzes, tests, cumulative unit assessments, or any other invigilated course activities. There are no exceptions.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Elsevier. (2023). Sherpath [Online learning platform].
Power-Kean, K., Zettel, S., & El-Hussein, M. T. (Eds). (2023). Huether and McCance's understanding pathophysiology (2nd Canadian ed.). Elsevier Canada.
Sealock, K., & Seneviratne, C. (2025). Lilley's pharmacology for Canadian health care practice (5th ed.). Elsevier.