Unit Outline

This unit explores physiologic theories underpinning complex patient conditions. You will gain knowledge in the pathophysiology of respiratory, cardiac, haemodynamic, renal and neurological disease including advanced supportive therapies. The unit will prepare you to apply knowledge in some specialty areas of practice.

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.	Discuss the applied pathophysiology as related to an acutely ill patient.
2.	Analyse data gained from assessment, monitoring and laboratory findings to evaluate therapeutic interventions.
3.	Discuss therapeutic management of an acutely ill patient utilising decision making capabilities.

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:	Online Quizzes	Week 5	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Case Study	Week 10	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes

Task Description:

Online activities comprising three multiple choice quizzes. Each quiz increases in complexity and associated mark allocation.
Due Dates:
Quiz 1 - Week 5,
Quiz 2 - Week 9,
Quiz 3 - Week 13.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiac, respiratory and shock conditions	LO1
2	Demonstrates ability to apply understanding of the data gained from laboratory findings	LO2, LO3
3	Demonstrates correct interpretation of key concepts as they relate to the pathophysiology and diagnostics	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 2: Case Study

Task Description:

Case study

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Selects a patient with the required health related acuity and presents work that shows critical analysis of the selected topics	LO1, LO3
2	Demonstrates the ability to describe relevant aspects of the case abiding by ethical requirements	LO2, LO3
3	Describes and relates the relevant pathophysiology to the patient’s clinical condition and assessment findings	LO1, LO2
4	Demonstrates critical engagement with the relevant evidence-based research	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

You will need the following text appropriate to your specialisation [available from Booktopia]:

Critical Care, High Acuity, Emergency, Cardiac and Anaesthetic and Recovery students will need this text only:

Aitken, L., Marshall, A., and Chaboyer, W. (Eds). (2019). ACCCN’s Critical Care Nursing, (4th ed.). Elsevier.

Aitken, L., Chaboyer, W., and Buckley, T. (Eds.) (2023). ACCCN’s Critical Care Nursing, (5th ed.). Elsevier.

Acute Care, Renal, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Neuroscience and students taking the unit as an elective will need this text only:

Creed, F, and Spiers, C. (Eds). (2020). Care of the Acutely Ill Adult: an essential guide for nurses. (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Neonatal Intensive Care students will need this text only:

Kain, V, and Mannix, T. (Eds). (2018). Neonatal Nursing in Australia and New Zealand. Elsevier.