| Effective Term: | 2026/08 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Pathophysiology and Pharmacology A |
| Unit ID: | NURBN2102 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (NURBN1105) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 060301 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit focuses on students’ understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacology to support safe, evidence-based nursing care. It explores conditions affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems across the lifespan, with a focus on the National Health Priority Areas. Through the study of common disease processes, assessment strategies, diagnostic testing, and pharmacological management, students will learn to apply person-centred, strengths-based approaches. Emphasis is placed on recognising patients’ individual capabilities and preferences while selecting and administering evidence-based pharmacological interventions that promote safety, autonomy, and optimal health outcomes |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | |
| 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. | Analyse pathophysiological processes and describe the compensatory mechanisms employed by different body systems in response to disease or illness |
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| K2. | Identify common medications from generic name and explain their mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and potential drug interactions. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Assess and interpret diagnostic results using knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology, in the context of patient-reported symptoms and clinical findings. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Apply knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and pharmacology to nursing responsibilities in medication administration. |
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| Unit Content: |
The following key standards have guided the content development of this unit: - NMBA Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Registered nurse standards for practice, Midwife standards for practice, Code of conduct, and ICN Code of ethics for nurses)
- NSQHS National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
- National Safety and Quality Primary and Community
- ACQS Aged Care Quality Standards
- National Health Priority Areas
- The Prescribing Competencies Framework
Content in this unit will include pathophysiology and pharmacology related to the following systems: - Cardiac
- Respiratory
- Endocrine
- Neurological
- Musculoskeletal
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| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K2, S1 | Application of clinical reasoning cycle in the context of pathophysiology, pharmacology and nursing practice in the form of a video. | Asynchronous Oral Presentation | 30-50% | | 2. | K1, K2, S1, A1 | Assessment of principles of pathophysiology for nursing practice | Examination | 50-70% | | 3. | K1, K2, S1, A1 | Attendance at Active Learning Sessions | 80% Attendance at Active Learning Sessions | S/U Hurdle | | 4. | K1, K2, S1, A1 | Attendance at/attempt of all assessments | 100% Attendance at/attempt of assessments 1, 2 and 3 | S/U Hurdle |
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