Overview

This unit builds on students’ knowledge of the pathophysiology of the human body and its application to the nursing care of an adult person. Students will use a solution focused case-based approach to explore typical and atypical acute presentations of a range of selected respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine, gastrointestinal, reproductive, renal neurological and musculoskeletal conditions and related pharmacology. Students will be introduced to a number of fundamental concepts, processes and skills required for nursing practice. Students will develop skills in nursing assessment and the nursing interventions required to support the independence of persons who are acutely ill.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Apply nursing knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of a person presenting with acute conditions.
  • Utilise an evidence-based systematic approach to prioritise the nursing care needs of a person with an acute presentation.
  • Demonstrate safe nursing practice when caring for a person with an acute presentation.
  • Analyse clinical data and research to support the provision of comprehensive, safe and effective evidence based nursing care to achieve identified health outcomes

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class
2.00  8 weeks  16
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
1.00 8 weeks  8
On-campus
Practical
2.00  8 weeks  16
Specified Activities
Group Meetings
1.00  12 weeks  12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
7.50  12 weeks  90
Online
Lecture
1.00 8 weeks 8
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Examination Individual  40%  1,2,3,4 
Scenarios Individual 40% 1,2,3,4
Online Quizzes Individual  20%  1,2,3,4 

Hurdle

To pass this unit students must attempt all assessments and gain an aggregate mark of 50% or more.

Content

  • Pathophysiology, nursing management and complications of acute presentations related to cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, gastro-intestinal, renal musculoskeletal systems
  • Pathophysiology and nursing management of people with acute presentations, including presentation variations realted to their sex 
  • Pathophysiology, nursing management and complications of acute presentations related to fluid and electrolyte balance 
  • Nursing care and management of the person experiencing pain
  • Nursing care and management of the person with naso-gastric tubes and under water sealed drainage in situ.
     

Graduate Attributes:

  • Communication 1 - Verbal Communication (GA1)
  • Communication 2 - Communicating using different media (GA2)
  • Teamwork 1 - Collaboration and negotiation (GA3)
  • Teamwork 2 - Teamwork roles and processes (GA4)
  • Digital Literacies 1 - Information literacy (GA5)
  • Digital Literacies 2 - Technical literacy (GA6)

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.