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Unit of study_

NURS1005: Human Pathophysiology

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit of study students will explore the pathogenesis of human disease. Using a systems-based approach, the pathophysiology of common illnesses observed in the clinical setting will be examined. This will be studied in the context of the mechanisms that maintain homeostatic control of body processes. The topics of oxygenation, protection/immunity, metabolism, neuro-endocrine regulation, and elimination will be explored in the context of disease and disorders associated with these processes. This will extend students' understandings of complex physiological alterations and pathophysiology.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS1005
Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
NURS1001
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Margot Day, margot.day@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Margot Day, margot.day@sydney.edu.au
Elizabeth Machan, elizabeth.cayanan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Assessment 3: Final examination
Short answer
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Tutorial quiz Assessment 1: In class quiz
Multiple choice quiz consisting of 10 questions in 12 min in 6 tutorials.
30% Multiple weeks 12 minutes x 6 quizzes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assessment 2: Case study based assignment
Case study based assignment, individual work, based on content in weeks 1-6
30% Week 07
Due date: 17 Sep 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

Formative Assessment:

  • Online modules: Students are required to complete the online modules throughout semester as per the kuracloud tutorial lessons.

Summative Assessment:

  • Assessment 1: Weekly quizzes: These quizzes will test the key concepts taught each week and include the topics of digestive physiology, metabolism and related alterations, respiratory physiology and related alterations, and cardiovascular physiology and related alterations, immunity, infection and fever, CNS and PNS physiology and related alterations, and endocrine pysiology and related alterations. Quizzes run in weeks 3-8 inclusive during scheduled tutorial time.
  • Assessment 2: Case study based assignment: Students will be given one or more case studies, which they are expected to analyse, and answer a series of questions examining the alterations in physiology observed in the patient(s).  This assessment will examine student’s pathophysiology knowledge and critical thinking skills.
  • Assessment 3: Examination: The examination will cover all aspects of the unit of study. The examination will assess the students’ understanding of alterations of physiological processes and pathophysiological phenomena in the health care setting.

Please note: Each student is required to submit all assessment items in order to be eligible to pass this unit. Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard. 

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assessment 2: Written work submitted electronically after 11.59 pm on the due date will be considered to have been submitted late. For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Metabolic reactions, biomolecules and energy production Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Digestive physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Alterations to digestive physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Alterations to Digestion Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Respiratory physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Alterations in ventilation and respiration Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Diseases of the respiratory system Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Cardiovascular physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 04 Alterations in cardiac contraction and conduction Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Cardiovascular disease Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Blood physiology and blood dyscrasias Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Non-specific and specific immunological responses, infection and fever Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Blood dyscrasias, infection and fever Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Neural physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Alterations to neural physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Alterations in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Endocrine physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 07 Alterations to endocrine physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Endocrine disorders Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Renal physiology and altered renal physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Alterations to fluid and electrolyte balance Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Renal disease Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Revision Q & A Forum (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

 

Attendance: The Sydney Nursing School Resolutions specifically outline attendance requirements. Resolution 7.2 states that if students are absent without leave for more than 10% of classes in a particular unit of study in any one semester, the Dean may call upon them to show cause why they should not be deemed to have failed that unit of study. 

It is expected that all students participate and fully engage in the content of this unit of study by attending lectures, tutorials and laboratories, being prepared for tutorials and laboratories, contributing to discussions in class and online, and providing and receiving feedback in a respectful and dignified manner.

Students must also attend 100% of all clinical simulation laboratories (CSL) and off campus clinical, which are supplemented with online and group activities.

Referencing style: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 7th Edition, 2020 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

Assignment formatting guidelines: Unless the unit coordinator has indicated otherwise, please make sure your submitted assessments are formatted as follows:

  • font: use Calibri or Times New Roman in 11 - 12 point
  • double line spacing
  • margins: 2.5cm each side
  • use page numbers
  • refer to assessment instructions for use of title and headings

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Craft, Gordon, Huether, McCance and Brashers. Understanding Pathophysiology: ANZ Edition (current ed.) Elsevier, Sydney (Electronic edition preferred) 

Please note that more detail regarding weekly readings is available on the NURS1005 unit of study CANVAS site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explain the normal physiology related to the specified organ systems studied and describe complex human physiology.
  • LO2. discuss homeostatic control and explain how compensatory mechanisms influence bodily functions during health and illness.
  • LO3. describe the pathogenesis of the common diseases/disorders of each organ system studied.
  • LO4. identify the changes in pathophysiology associated with common illness and disease and correlate these with the resulting signs, symptoms observed.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
LO2
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice
6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
LO3
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.3. Appropriately delegates aspects of practice to enrolled nurses and others, according to enrolled nurse’s scope of practice or others’ clinical or nonclinical roles
6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
LO4
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice - NMBA
1. Standard 1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
3.7. Identifies and promotes the integral role of nursing practice and the profession in influencing better health outcomes for people
5. Standard 5: Develops a plan for nursing practice
5.2. Collaboratively constructs nursing practice plans until contingencies, options priorities, goals, actions, outcomes and timeframes are agreed with the relevant persons
6. Standard 6: Provides safe, appropriate and responsive quality nursing practice
6.1. Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people
6.3. Appropriately delegates aspects of practice to enrolled nurses and others, according to enrolled nurse’s scope of practice or others’ clinical or nonclinical roles
6.5. Practises in accordance with relevant nursing and health guidelines, standards, regulations and legislation
7. Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Registered Nurses Standards for Practice -
Competency code Taught, Practiced or Assessed Competency standard
1.1 A Accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings for safe quality practice
2.4 A Provides support and directs people to resources to optimise health related decisions
3.2 A Provides the information and education required to enhance people’s control over health
3.3 A Uses a lifelong learning approach for continuing professional development of self and others
6.1 A Provides comprehensive safe, quality practice to achieve agreed goals and outcomes that are responsive to the nursing needs of people

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Tutorials have been modified to include an active learning component, in which the students make physiological measurements in class on themselves and their peers. Data from these measurements is then related to real patient data and case studies. This will help students to analyse and interpret patient data and relate it to alterations that can occur to normal human physiology.

Sensitive materials in teaching: Please note that in this Unit of Study sensitive and potentially distressing or disturbing content might be presented and/or discussed from time to time. This may include reference to for example, discrimination, assault, suicide, illness, death and dying or culturally sensitive issues. These topics are relevant to your learning and your knowledge and skill development for nursing practice.

You will be advised before the information/topic is presented. If you are participating in the teaching session/activity online, you are advised to use headphones and ensure that anyone not participating in the session cannot see images that you may be watching on your device. If the nature of the content makes you feel uncomfortable or distressed, it is important that you contact the unit coordinator or another member of the academic team to discuss this with them.  

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.