Unit Outline

This unit explores the principles of perioperative nursing. The content of this unit will include ethical and legal issues related to perioperative nursing, professional issues, infection control, and operating suite planning. Applied anatomy, pathophysiology and surgical techniques for general surgery are also included.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Critically analyse legal and ethical issues related to peri-operative nursing.
2.	Apply principles of infection control and human factors with the aim of improving efficiency and safety in the perioperative environment.
3.	Apply concepts of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to person-centred care through the perioperative continuum.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

No alterations have been made as a result of student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Case Critique (Part A) & Peer Review (Part B)	Week 4	30 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Reflective Summary	Week 9	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Oral Presentation - Case Study	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Case Critique (Part A) & Peer Review (Part B)

Task Description:

The purpose of this assessment is to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the legal and ethical issues related to the perioperative environment. You will be engaged in a peer review learning activity exploring legal and ethical issues through case scenarios.

Due Dates: Part A - Week 4
Part B - Week 5

Task Length:

1250 words (Part A 750 words, Part B 500 words).

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The critique of the case considers legal and ethical issues in the context of perioperative nursing practice.	LO1, LO2
2	The critique evaluates variations in practice with evidence-informed recommendations to address any practice gaps.	LO1, LO2
3	Peer review is timely and considers potential improvements or modifications	LO1, LO2
4	Ideas and arguments are supported by evidence-informed literature related to the legal and ethical issues.	LO1, LO2
5	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Reflective Summary

Task Description:

You will submit a summary paper which reflects on your learning and contextualises and acknowledges variations in practice with evidence-informed recommendations to address any practice gaps.

Task Length:

1250 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	The reflection incorporates peer feedback by recognising the value of collaborative efforts and diverse perspectives in refining the original work.	LO1
2	The rationale behind decision to incorporate, modify, or reject certain feedback is included in the reflective summary.	LO1
3	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Oral Presentation - Case Study

Task Description:

Review the care of a patient who has undergone general surgery or an endoscopic procedure.
Analyse the key patient safety issues, actual or potential, that arose during the patient’s perioperative journey. Critically discuss the nursing care of the patient throughout the perioperative continuum from admission to discharge.

Task Length:

10 minute presentation equivalent to 1500 words.

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse key issues related to patient safety in the case presentation supported by contemporary, scholarly literature and evidence-informed guidelines.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Rationalise perioperative care based on the patient’s pathophysiological condition supported by contemporary, scholarly literature and evidence-informed guidelines	LO2, LO3
3	Communicate clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO1, LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Rothrock, J. (2018). Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery (16th ed). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Available as an eBook from the University of Tasmania library

The Australian College of Perioperative Nurses (ACORN). (2023). Professional practice standards for perioperative nurses (PPSPN) for organisations. ACORN.

The Australian College of Perioperative Nurses. (2023). Standards for safe and quality care in the perioperative environment (SSQCPE) for organisations. ACORN.

Available on-line from the University of Tasmania library

Sutherland-Fraser, S., Davies, M., Gillespie, B., & Lockwood, B. (2021). Perioperative nursing: An introduction (3rd ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.