| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult |
| Unit ID: | HEALA6400 |
| Credit Points: | 30.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 060311 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
The purpose of this unit is to prepare health care professionals with an in-depth understanding of the natural pathophysiological changes that occur as a function of the ageing process. The unit will explore the major body systems, the changes as a result of ageing and associated implications for practice. Pharmacology, including the implication for ageing on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the concept of polypharmacy, are examined in the context of pathophysiological alterations. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | |  | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Critically examine and explain the pathological effects of ageing and selected disease process at a cellular and systemic level and their associated manifestations in the older adult. |
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| K2. | Identify appropriate and inappropriate response to pharmacological therapy as a result of alterations in physiology associated with ageing. |
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| K3. | Analyse and describe the characteristics of physiological alterations or disease within each of the physiological systems and identify the etiological factors associated with the ageing process. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Critically evaluate the effect of physiological mechanisms of ageing and how they manifest in physical presentation. |
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| S2. | Identify and discuss the physiological factors that impact on the older adult at both a cellular and systemic level. |
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| S3. | Critically analyse the physiological and pathological changes associated with ageing and the possible beneficial and adverse outcomes of pharmacotherapy in the older adult through comprehensive assessment |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Interpret the epidemiology, physiologic changes, physical and psychological conditions commonly seen in older adults in the development of a coordinated approach to reducing drug related problems through the process of comprehensive geriatric assessment. |
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| A2. | Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of how age related physiological changes in older adults can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of common medications. |
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| Unit Content: |
Examination of each body system including the pathophysiology of normal ageing, common changes associated with ageing and their pharmacological management. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, S1, A1, A2 | Critical analysis of contemporary issues associated with the physiological changes common in the older adult | Essay | 40 - 60% | | 2. | K1, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2 | Application of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology in the context of ageing | Case study | 30 - 50% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2 | Assessment of principles of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology in the older adult. | Online Quizzes | 10 - 30% | | 4. | K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2 | Satisfactory demonstration of clinically relevant knowledge associated with the advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology in the older adult | Assessment of key clinical knowledge within a workplace practice. | S/U Hurdle |
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