CSB358 Paramedic Management - Cardiac, Respiratory and Toxicology

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This theoretical unit is a paramedic specific case-based learning unit that explores common presentations encountered in the paramedic care setting. The unit focus is on developing your knowledge and attributes for the person-centred assessment and management of cardiovascular, respiratory and toxicological presentations. Additionally, to ensure you are prepared for national and international work-integrated learning and employment opportunities, you will focus on national and international evidence-informed clinical practice. This unit develops the knowledge and values required to effectively and safely manage a cardiovascular, respiratory or toxicological patient presentation and is complemented by CSB363 Paramedic Practice - Skills and Application, which focuses on the translation of this knowledge into the paramedic care setting.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Examine the prevention, epidemiology, anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, pharmacology, management, definitive care, prognosis and rehabilitation of cardiovascular, respiratory and toxicology presentations.
2. Apply critical reasoning when developing management strategies for patients with cardiovascular, respiratory and toxicology presentations.
3. Apply knowledge and values of the underpinning cultural safety, communication, assessment and management principles of resuscitation, cardiac, respiratory and toxicology presentations to create appropriate, evidence-informed, person-centred and culturally safe management plan.
4. Critically examine the principles of human factors, recognition of personal and professional limitations and identify when to seek support and advice in the context of cardiovascular, respiratory and toxicological presentations.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit, you will learn by engaging in an array of integrated and increasingly complex case-based, online and self-directed learning. Through collaboration in case-based learning groups, this unit fosters a reflexive learning environment preparing you to work in diverse and multidisciplinary teams. 

• Support for learning
  • Student Success Group support activities are embedded in CSB358
  • Canvas Learning modules for academic writing
• Industry-relevant digital practices and technologies
  • Utilise digital simulation equipment such as iSim, and CorPulse simulation technology
  • Teach privacy and confidentiality with regard to digital documentation of patient records

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback is provided in the following ways:

• Opportunity to receive formative feedback exists during all learning activities (for example, but not limited to peers, academic professional).
• Formative feedback is provided during and after clinical simulation activities.
• In addition to the assessment marking rubrics, specific feedback is provided on summative assessment items.
• General feedback on summative assessments is provided during learning activities and/or via online platforms.

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessment items to be completed for this subject.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Skill and Competency-based Assessment

By using the systematic process taught in lectures and workshops, you will complete an online task about 4 and 12 Lead ECG acquisition and interpretation. The assessment aims to demonstrate your identification of, and underlying pathophysiological understanding relating to common dysrhythmias, ST segment elevated myocardial infarcts (STEMIs), and mimics when interpretation findings relating to a 12 Lead ECG to assist in the paramedic management of cardiac emergencies.

Assessment: Examination

A variety of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions will assess your management of cardiovascular, neuro and respiratory emergencies and knowledge of related pathophysiology, skills and clinical pharmacology.

Assessment: Paramedic management portfolio

Students will complete a knowledge, critical thinking and reflective portfolio on cardiovascular, respiratory and toxicological presentations. 

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Students must successfully complete the following before commencing this unit:

1. Mandatory requirements as outlined at QUT.

Mandatory safety requirements

Closed in shoes, long trousers to ankle and shirt covering torso including shoulders

If necessary, please register via this link https://www.whatsinaname.net.au/my-account/ to order replacement uniform or safety kit items.

The following equipment will be required for tutorial throughout the course. Advice will be given by your lecturer at the beginning of the semester:
Stethoscope
Watch with second hand or display

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Cameron, P., Little, M., Biswadev, M., & Deasy, C. (Eds) (2020). Textbook of adult emergency medicine.</i> (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Cohn, E.G. Flip and see ECGs</i> (4th ed.). Elsevier: Sydney.

Curtis, K., Ramsden, C., Shaban, R.Z., Fry, M. & Considine. (Eds) (2019). Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics. (3rd Ed.). Chatswood: Elsevier

Wesley, K. (2011). Huszar's Basic Dysrhythmias and Acute Coronary Syndromes: Interpretation and Management. (4th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier

Risk Assessment Statement

The role of student paramedic can be hazardous. There is regular exposure to body fluids, medical sharps and defibrillators. During the on campus phase the risk is minimised and only simulated exercises are conducted. While undertaking this unit you should review the industry Health, Safety Environment (HSE) guidelines that protect qualified staff and students in day-to-day practice.

Students must successfully complete the following before commencing this unit:

1. Mandatory requirements as outlined at QUT.

Mandatory safety requirements

Closed in shoes, long trousers to ankle and shirt covering torso including shoulders

If necessary, please register via this link https://www.whatsinaname.net.au/my-account/ to order replacement uniform or safety kit items.