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92713 Health Breakdown

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject focuses on the development of an in-depth understanding of selected pathophysiological concepts and processes, such as: stress response; altered consciousness; impaired immunocompetence and nutrition; disruption of fluid, electrolytes and acid-base balance; altered gas exchange; and disruption of cardiac, renal and respiratory functions. The application of these processes and concepts provides a knowledge base for registered nurses to improve clinical judgments and decision-making in the management of patients with complex changes in health status.

Subject objectives/outcomes

Successful completion of this subject will enable you to:

  1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of pathological processes/concepts as a basis of disease across the lifespan.
  2. Apply this knowledge within a clinical environment to enhance patient assessment and management decisions.
  3. Have a theoretical basis for the selection of appropriate assessment activities to evaluate patient status.

Teaching and learning strategies

Learning In Partnership
Using a fellow student as a learning partner has repeatedly been found to be an important learning support (Centre for Educational Research and Innovation. 2001, E-learning:the partnership challenge, OECD, Paris). The idea is that you buddy with a fellow student (or other interested party) as a study companion, to discuss your interpretation of learning tasks. It has been found that well over half of the concerns students experience about their learning are to do with simply checking that they ‘are on the right track’ and can be solved using this method.

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Patient case study: Examining the pathophysiological processes and impact on the patient's condition

Objective(s):

1-3
Weighting: 60
Length:

2500-3000 words
Criteria:
  • Summary of the patients’ history including presenting problem, past medical and social history,
  • presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic test results and medical diagnosis (10 marks)
  • Discussion of the primary disease process (diagnosis) including aetiology, prevalence and
  • clinical manifestations. Includes patient’s co-morbidities and the impact on the patient’s
  • presentation (20 marks)
  • Demonstrated understanding of the relationships between the patient’s signs and symptoms,
  • and the underlying cellular and systemic pathophysiological processes (20 marks)
  • Clarity and accuracy of explanations (5 marks)
  • Currency and relevance of references and sources (5 marks)

Assessment Item 2: Online test

Objective(s):

1-3
Weighting: 40
Criteria:
  • Accuracy and depth of responses (20 marks)
  • Clarity and relevance of explanations (20 marks)

Minimum requirements

It is necessary to achieve a cumulative pass mark between all assignments (items 1 & 2) to pass the subject.

Required texts

Craft, J. Gordon, C & Tiziani, A. 2011, Understanding pathophysiology, Elsevier (Australia), Sydney.

You are strongly recommended to purchase or borrow this text (Australian adaptation) for the duration of the subject as all recommended readings are referenced to this book.

If you are not in a position to purchase the text, the original text by Huether, McCance, Brashers & Rote could be a substitute. You would need to amend the page numbers for recommended readings.

References

See UTSOnline for further resources.

Other resources

UTS Student Centres

Building 10
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am - 5pm
Wednesday: 11am - 5pm
Tel: (02) 9514 4911

Kuring-gai
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday: 11am - 4:30pm
Tel: (02) 9514 5021

Website details for student centres: https://servicedesk.uts.edu.au/CAisd/pdmweb.exe
For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.health.uts.edu.au/students/current/index.html) or UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS is located in Student Services, on level 3 building 1 at City Campus and via the Student Services area at Kuring-gai. Phone 9514-2327 or 9514-2361

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.