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Unit of study_

NURS5042: The Body, Its Function and Pharmacology

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will examine various biological processes to assist students in developing their comprehensive understanding of human cellular structure and function and the contribution this makes to healthy body function. The role of pharmacotherapy and specific pharmacological interventions aimed at restoring or replacing the function of specific cells, tissues or organs affected by these pathological changes will also be considered.

Unit details and rules

Unit code NURS5042
Academic unit Pharmacy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michelle Gerke-Duncan, michelle.gerke@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Andrew McLachlan, andrew.mclachlan@sydney.edu.au
Claire Goldsbury, claire.goldsbury@sydney.edu.au
Ronald Castelino, ronald.castelino@sydney.edu.au
Elizabeth Machan, elizabeth.cayanan@sydney.edu.au
Michelle Gerke-Duncan, michelle.gerke@sydney.edu.au
Katie Dixon, katie.dixon@sydney.edu.au
Laurence Macia, laurence.macia@sydney.edu.au
Tara Speranza, tara.speranza@sydney.edu.au
Connie Van, connie.van@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam NURS5042 Final Exam ONLINE
Multiple Choice Questions (40%) and Case-based Short Answer Questions (60%)
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam NURS5042 Mid-semester Assessment ONLINE
Multiple Choice Questions
20% Week 05
Due date: 30 Mar 2021 at 10:00

Closing date: 30 Mar 2021
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO1 LO2 LO3
In-semester test (Record+) Type B in-semester exam hurdle task NURS5042 Case Study Assessment ONLINE
Short Answer
30% Week 09
Due date: 04 May 2021 at 10:00

Closing date: 04 May 2021
30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?
Type B in-semester exam = Type B in-semester exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Mid-semester Assessment: Students will be given 20 multiple choice exam questions to answer. To ensure fairness across all tutorial groups, each class will be given a different exam. The exam may test any material included in lectures and tutorials from week -1  to week 4.
  • Case Study Assessment: Students will be given one case study to examine and seven related short answer questions to complete. Students will be expected to analyse the case study, identify any pathophysiological/pharmacological reason for the patient’s signs and symptoms and consider any nursing/pharmacological interventions required.
  • Final Exam: The Final Exam will cover all aspects of the unit of study and will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions. The examination will emphasise the interrelatedness of body organ systems and conceptual frameworks that underpin the areas of cellular biology, homeostasis, metabolism, neuro-endocrine regulation, reproduction, and immunity.

Each student is required to submit/attend all assessment items in order 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:

Where an assignment is submitted late without an approved extension, a late penalty will apply. 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. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero marks will be awarded.

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 Introduction to NURS5042 Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO7
Cell Structure and Function Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Anatomy Workshop: Navigating the Body Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 01 Quality use of medicines and medication safety. Pharmacology in nursing practice Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
The human body Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tutorial 1: Medication safety and basic anatomy Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Human development Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Central nervous system Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Pharmacokinetics Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Pharmacodynamics Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial 2: Case study - Central nervous system injury Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7
Week 04 Peripheral and autonomic nervous system function Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Alterations in normal NS function (Alzheimers, Parkinsons, MS and dementia) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Autonomic nervous system and pharmacotherapy (Urinary incontinence) Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Medications used in Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's disease Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial 3: Alzheimer’s disease and urinary incontinence Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Endocrine system function Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Reproduction physiology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Medications for endocrine disorders 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Medications for endocrine disorders 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial 4: Alzheimer’s disease and urinary incontinence continued Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Reproductive pharmacology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Antimicrobials Lecture (1 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Immune system 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Immune system 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Tutorial 5: Diabetes and infection Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Revision lecture 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Revision lecture 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Tutorial 6: Diabetes and infection continued Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to attend 90% of all lectures and 100% of tutorials / workshops which are supplemented with online activities. It is expected that students
    will engage effectively in all components of the unit of study. Students will need to contact the UOS coordinator to discuss how they might best complete any missed work.
  • Referencing: The Sydney Nursing School has adopted the American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing style, 6th Edition, 2010 as its official referencing style. This is an author-date style of referencing.

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) 

Bryant B and Knights K. Pharmacology for Health Professionals (current edition) Mosby Elsevier, Sydney 

Rossi, S (ed) Australian Medicines Handbook (current ed.) Australian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd, Adelaide (available online from University of Sydney Library) 

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. describe normal anatomy and physiological function within the body
  • LO2. explain pathogenic processes within the human body and their expression as observable alterations to normal anatomy/ physiological function across the lifespan
  • LO3. synthesise, integrate and apply foundational human bioscience knowledge to specific contexts and situations in health
  • LO4. locate and critically evaluate evidence-based drug information with respect to quality and relevance for informing decision making in nursing practice
  • LO5. apply and integrate evidence-based pharmacotherapy knowledge to complex patients in order to optimise quality and quality use of medicines
  • LO6. discuss the clinical governance, legal and professional requirements associated with the use of pharmacotherapy in nursing practice
  • LO7. adopt an ethical, social and professional ethos in relation to the use of pharmacological therapies in health.

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

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

On the basis of previous student feedback, modifications have been made to the lecture order and additional lecture worksheets have been created.

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.