Unit Outline

This unit provides the theoretical basis for advanced acute-care nursing of infants, children, adolescents and their families. You will synthesise knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to appraise the clinical condition of acutely and chronically unwell patients. You will interpret clinical assessment findings and results of investigations, justify advanced therapeutic interventions, and critically apply evidence-informed child and family-centred care.

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	Apply integrated anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological knowledge to common infant, child and adolescent health conditions to inform nursing care.
2	Evaluate the clinical condition of acutely and chronically unwell infants, children and adolescents through interpreting findings from clinical assessment and relevant investigations.
3	Justify advanced therapeutic interventions in the management of acutely and chronically unwell infants, children and adolescents, integrating cultural safety and ethical considerations to optimise health outcomes.
4	Communicate evidence-informed child and family-centred care of acutely and chronically unwell infants, children and adolescents.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Assessment tasks have been redesigned and learning content has been updated to enhance alignment with the refreshed intended learning outcomes for 2026.

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:	Discussion Posts (online) and Final Submission	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Educational In-Service	Week 8	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Clinical Case Study Professional Dialogue	Week 12	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Discussion Posts (online) and Final Submission

Task Description:

In this assessment, you will engage with high quality evidence and draw upon your professional experience to critically analyse a contemporary nursing practice question relating to the acute care of infants, children or adolescents in an online discussion format.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Engage with high-quality evidence to inform both initial posting and discussion replies.	LO4
2	Critically analyse the contemporary nursing practice question.	LO3, LO4
3	Apply relevant anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological knowledge to inform nursing care.	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Educational In-Service

Task Description:

In this assessment, you will develop and present to your nursing colleagues in your workplace an educational in-service on a clinical case you encounter in your practice. You will submit a video recording of your workplace in-service delivery and your presentation slides to MyLO.

Task Length:

15 minutes

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply integrated anatomical, physiological and pathophysiological knowledge relevant to the clinical case to inform nursing care.	LO1
2	Appraise the clinical condition of the infant, child or adolescent in the clinical case through integrated assessment and investigation data.	LO2
3	Justify the therapeutic interventions applied in the clinical case.	LO3
4	Critically analyse the child and family-centred nursing care provided in the case using high-quality evidence.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Clinical Case Study Professional Dialogue

Task Description:

In this interactive oral assessment, you will discuss with your assessor aspects of a clinical case study involving the acute-care management of an unwell infant, child or adolescent. You will be required to synthesise relevant anatomical and pathological knowledge, appraise the clinical condition of the patient by interpreting assessment and investigation data, propose and justify therapeutic interventions, and critically analyse the application of evidence-informed child and family-centred nursing care, including relevant ethical issues.

Task Length:

15 minutes

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply integrated anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology relevant to the clinical case to inform nursing care.	LO1
2	Appraise the clinical condition of the infant, child or adolescent in the clinical case through interpretation of assessment and investigation data.	LO2
3	Propose and justify recommended therapeutic interventions applicable to the clinical case.	LO3
4	Critically analyse the evidence-informed child and family-centred nursing care including relevant ethical issues.	LO3, LO4

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.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Speedie,L, Middleton, A, (Aust. editors) Hockenberry, M.J, Wilson, D & Rodgers, C, (US editors). (2022,). Wong’s nursing care of infants and children, Australia and New Zealand edition for professionals, (1st ed). Elsevier.

Further required readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.