Unit Outline
CXA291
Pathophysiology in Paramedicine 2
Health Study Period 1, 2025
Chin- Liang Beh
School of Health Sciences
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Chin- Liang Beh
Email: Cl.Beh@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
Pathophysiology in Paramedicine 2 builds on your knowledge of anatomy and physiology to develop an understanding of the principles of pathophysiology and alterations in the health of the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, sexual and reproductive, and immune systems, as well as complex disease states affecting multiple systems. It will explore current evidence-informed approaches used by paramedics to help re-establish homeostasis, including pharmacotherapy. Clinical reasoning will be used to analyse clinical scenarios to inform the delivery of evidence-informed health care. Students will be expected to develop written and oral skills that will facilitate intraprofessional, interprofessional, and patient communication of biological and therapeutic information.
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
Explain pathophysiological processes, signs and symptoms of acute and chronic health conditions affecting the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, sexual and reproductive, and immune systems, as well as complex disease states affecting multiple systems.
2
Integrate biological information to explain common diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions used in the management of patients with acute and chronic health conditions affecting the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, sexual and reproductive, and immune systems, as well as complex disease states affecting multiple systems.
3
Communicate using scientific and clinical terminology relevant to alterations in cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, sexual and reproductive, and immune health, as well as complex disease states affecting multiple body systems.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
CZZ102 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1B and CZZ101 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1A
Alterations as a result of student feedback
 
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Online
Independent Learning
Self directed learning
8
Weekly
Workshop (On Campus)
On campus workshops for students who elect to attend.
2
Study Period 5 times
Workshop (Online)
Online workshops for students who are unable or elect not to attend the on campus workshops.
2
Study Period 5 times
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 

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:
Team Based Learning
Refer to Assessment Description
10 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:
Module Quizzes
Refer to Assessment Description
20 %
LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:
Complex Case Scenarios
Refer to Assessment Description
30 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:
Exam
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Team Based Learning
Task Description:
Team Based Learning.

In this assessment task you will attempt two online quizzes related to the content of a workshop and the online content that you are required to engage with before attending it.
The first quiz (Individual Readiness Quiz, IRQ 3% of final mark) must be attempted individually before the day in which workshops are scheduled. It will comprise 10-15 questions related to a related case scenario.
During the intensive workshop, you will be allocated time for discussion with your peers about the case study, and the quiz questions. Group discussion and problem solving are integral aspects of working in a health care team. Following the discussion, you will undertake the same quiz (Team Readiness Quiz, TRQ, 2% of final mark), a second time.

The case study and quiz answers will be discussed by your tutor during the session and/or during an online session when all groups have completed the relevant intensive workshops. A schedule will be provided on the unit MyLO site.

This structure will be repeated for two face-to-face workshops. Not-attending students are also required to submit the TRQ, preferably after discussion with their peers.
Task Length:
Each quiz – 30 minutes
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
10 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Applies knowledge to identify pathophysiological processes related to the case scenario and/or the possible outcomes in absence of therapeutic intervention.
LO1, LO2
2
Relates patient cues and presentation to the underlying pathophysiological processes experienced by the individual.
LO1, LO2
3
Apply knowledge to identify the rationale for therapeutic approaches based on the description in the case scenario.
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 2: Module Quizzes
Task Description:
This assessment consists of a series of four (4) quizzes on the pathophysiology and management of acute and chronic health alterations of the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, sexual and reproductive, and immune systems, as well as complex disease states affecting multiple systems. The questions require you to demonstrate understanding of the pathophysiology, manifestations and treatment by applying them to one or more short case scenarios. The question types include Multiple Choice, Multi-Select, Ordering and Short Answer (1 or 2 words) questions, among others.

Each quiz is 5% of your final grade.
Task Length:
45 minutes per quiz
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
20 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describes pathophysiological processes related to the case scenario and/or the possible outcomes in absence of therapeutic intervention.
LO1, LO2
2
Relates patient cues and presentation to the underlying pathophysiological processes experienced by the individual.
LO1, LO2
3
Describes therapeutic interventions appropriate for the individual based on the description in the case scenario.
LO1, LO2
4
Describes possible outcomes of therapeutic interventions based on the clinical data provided and the underlying pathophysiological processes.
LO1, LO2
 
Assessment Task 3: Complex Case Scenarios
Task Description:
Complex Case Scenario.

There will be TWO submissions based on complex case scenarios. The first is based on the content of weeks 1 – 4. The second is related to the content of weeks 1 and 6 - 9.
The assessment for EACH submission has 2 parts:
Part A – an online quiz with a variety of question types – multiple choice, multi-select, ordering and short answers of one or two words.
Part B – TWO written answers submitted through the Assignments folder in MyLO.
Task Length:
Part A –30 minutes Part B – 2 short answer questions, 200 word limit, for each question.
Due Date:
Refer to Assessment Description
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explains underlying pathophysiological processes related to the case scenario in relation to patient cues and presentation.
LO1, LO3
2
Describes therapeutic interventions appropriate for the individual in the case scenario and their possible outcomes.
LO2, LO3
3
Uses appropriate scholarly literature, contemporary evidence-based practice documents and clinical guidelines to substantiate findings and clinical decision making.
LO1, LO2
4
Writes in a clear and concise academic style that is succinct, logical and coherent, using scientific and clinical terminology.
LO3
 
Assessment Task 4: Exam
Task Description:
This is an online exam that will consist of a series of questions similar in structure to those in the in-semester quizzes and clinical scenarios. This exam will assess all unit content including the tutorial workbooks.
Task Length:
2 hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Explains pathophysiological processes underlying acute and chronic health conditions and their manifestations.
LO1, LO3
2
Describes common diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions appropriate to individuals with acute and chronic health conditions, and their possible outcomes
LO2, LO3
3
Applies clinical reasoning to the identification of pathophysiological processes, therapeutic interventions and their possible outcomes appropriate for individuals with acute and chronic health conditions described in clinical case scenarios.
LO1, LO2, LO3
4
Writes in a clear and concise academic style that is succinct, logical and coherent, using scientific and clinical terminology
LO3
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.
Academic progress review
The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.
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.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
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
 
 
Recommended reading materials
•    Tortora, GJ. & Derrickson, B. 2022 Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 3rd Asia-Pacific Ed. Wiley.
•    Craft, JC and Gordon CJ. 2022 Understanding Pathophysiology. 4th Ed. Elsevier.
•    Inglis, D. & Kenneally, J. 2021. Clinical Skills for Paramedic Practice. Elsevier.
•    Williams, B. and Ross, L. 2021. Paramedic Principles and Practice. 2e. Elsevier
•    Norris, T. 2020. Porth's Essentials of Pathophysiology. 5th Ed. Wolters Kluwer: Phil
•    Bullock, S. and Manias, E. 2022. Fundamentals of Pharmacology. 9th Ed. Pearson.
 
Other required resources