Outline

Overview

This unit of study focuses on pathophysiological concepts and processes related to human responses to disease and illness. Using a conceptual approach, students will be provided with the opportunity to apply research findings to gain a deeper understanding of patient assessment information. The conceptual approach assists students to focus on clinical problems encountered across common disease categories and populations. This approach assists nurses in developing a systematic approach when making observations and formulating questions for further investigations about events or conditions that influence patient signs and symptoms. The application of these processes and concepts provides a knowledge base for registered nurses to improve clinical judgements and decision-making in the management of patients with complex changes in health status. Students will undertake a further period of supernumerary integrated professional practice (SIPP) (60 hours) verified by their approved supervisor concurrently while undertaking this unit of study.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NURS5076
Academic unit	Nursing and Midwifery
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Thomas Buckley, tom.buckley@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Assessment 3: Clinical practice log Clinical Practice Log (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)	0%	Formal exam period Due date: 14 Jun 2023 at 23:59	Log of 60 hours of advanced practice
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 1: Audit of laboratory bloods in practice Written task	50%	Mid-semester break Due date: 14 Apr 2023 at 23:59	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assessment 2: Comprehensive case study analysis Case study	50%	STUVAC Due date: 31 May 2023 at 23:59	No word limitation
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment 1 – Audit: Students will conduct an audit of the most commonly used laboratory investigations utilised in their area of specialisation relevant to nurse practitioner scope of practice.
Assessment 2 – Comprehensive case study analysis: Students will be required to present a comprehensive case study that explores both cellular and systemic pathophysiological concepts/processes related to the patients’ signs and symptoms at a particular time in their illness/injury.
Assessment 3 – Clinical practice log: Log of 60 hours of advanced practice

Please note: Each student is required to submit 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	As for distinction plus – initiative in research and reading; complex understanding of original analysis of theory as it applies to the clinical setting; makes an attempt to analyse relevant research and apply its underlying assumptions to the discussion; outstanding use of language, writing skills, vocabulary and grammar.
Distinction	75 - 84	As for credit plus – evidence of extensive reading and initiative in research; sound grasp of subject matter and appreciation of key issues and context; critical evaluation of clinical practice; well written and documented.
Credit	65 - 74	As for pass plus – evidence of comprehensive reading with synthesis and critical analysis of material; demonstrates an ability to consistently integrate theory with clinical practice; clear and well organised with effective expression and good writing style.
Pass	50 - 64	Written work contains evidence of a broad and reasonably accurate command of the subject matter and some sense of its broader significance; offers synthesis and some evaluation of material; demonstrates an effort to go beyond the essential reading; contains a clear focus on the principle issues; some evidence of ability to integrate theory with clinical practice; articulate and properly documented.
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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Week 02	Introduction to the unit, cellular function and response to disease, inflammation and immunity, cardiovascular physiology, Clinical audit	Block teaching (16 hr)
Week 09	Physiology of ageing, chronobiology, thermoregulation, carbohydrate metabolism, thyroid function and homeostasis,	Block teaching (16 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Students undertaking this unit of study are required to participate in all four study days which complement online 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

McCance, K. L., & Huether, S. E. (Eds.) (2022). Pathophysiology: The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children (9th ed.), Mosby, St Louis.
Pagana, K. D., & Pagana, T. J. (2021). Mosby's diagnostic and laboratory test reference (15th ed.). St Louis, Mo.: Mosby Elsevier.
Guyton, A. C., & Hall, J. E. (2020). Textbook of medical physiology (14th ed.) Elsevier Saunders.

Learning outcomes

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. demonstrate an advanced understanding of pathological concepts as a basis of disease across the lifespan
LO2. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of, and ability to undertake physical and clinical assessment techniques
LO3. integrate patient assessment data and preferences obtained through history taking and patient assessment with relevant research and physiological information, to inform clinical decisions
LO4. critically analyse initial patient assessment findings to generate clinical questions that serve as the basis for further investigation
LO5. synthesise findings from patient assessment and diagnostic investigations and the application of this knowledge to clinical judgements and decision-making in the management of patients with complex changes in health status.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 1.1. Statement 1.1: Conducts comprehensive, relevant and holistic health assessment 1.2. Statement 1.2: Demonstrates timely and considered use of diagnostic investigations to inform clinical decision making 1.3. Statement 1.3: Applies diagnostic reasoning to formulate diagnoses
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 1.1. Statement 1.1: Conducts comprehensive, relevant and holistic health assessment 1.2. Statement 1.2: Demonstrates timely and considered use of diagnostic investigations to inform clinical decision making 1.3. Statement 1.3: Applies diagnostic reasoning to formulate diagnoses 2.1. Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 1.1. Statement 1.1: Conducts comprehensive, relevant and holistic health assessment 1.2. Statement 1.2: Demonstrates timely and considered use of diagnostic investigations to inform clinical decision making 1.3. Statement 1.3: Applies diagnostic reasoning to formulate diagnoses 2.1. Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care 2.4. Statement 2.4: Refers and consults for care decisions to obtain optimal outcomes for the person receiving care 3.2. Statement 3.2: Maintains relationships with people at the centre of care
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 1.1. Statement 1.1: Conducts comprehensive, relevant and holistic health assessment 1.2. Statement 1.2: Demonstrates timely and considered use of diagnostic investigations to inform clinical decision making 1.3. Statement 1.3: Applies diagnostic reasoning to formulate diagnoses 2.1. Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care 2.4. Statement 2.4: Refers and consults for care decisions to obtain optimal outcomes for the person receiving care 3.2. Statement 3.2: Maintains relationships with people at the centre of care
	Nurse practitioner standards for practice - 1.1. Statement 1.1: Conducts comprehensive, relevant and holistic health assessment 1.2. Statement 1.2: Demonstrates timely and considered use of diagnostic investigations to inform clinical decision making 1.3. Statement 1.3: Applies diagnostic reasoning to formulate diagnoses 2.1. Statement 2.1: Translates and integrates evidence into planning care 2.4. Statement 2.4: Refers and consults for care decisions to obtain optimal outcomes for the person receiving care 3.2. Statement 3.2: Maintains relationships with people at the centre of care

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NURS5076: Pathophysiological Phenomena in Nursing

Semester 1, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect