LQB285 Pathophysiology for Health Professionals

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit will introduce students to pathophysiology (study of disease processes), and will address the predominant disorders affecting Australians across the lifespan, particularly those identified by the National Health Priority Areas as contributing significantly to disability and death in Australia. This unit will build on foundational knowledge of the normal structure and function of the human body developed in your foundational Anatomy and Physiology unit. An understanding of diseases gained within this unit will prepare students for subsequent health assessment and nursing practice within the Integrated Nursing Practice units.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Recall and apply knowledge of pathophysiology relevant to diseases that have the greatest impact on Australians, in alignment with the National Health Priority Areas.
2. Analyse and interpret clinical case studies to inform health assessment in alignment with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.
3. Effectively communicate information within a clinical practice context using appropriate terminology.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will engage you in learning through a 'theory to practice' approach. The content is structured to build your understanding of the main diseases and encourage you to integrate information between topics. You will be introduced to the weekly topic through online recorded lectures. Subsequently, these concepts will be reinforced and extended during on-campus workshops. Case studies and other active learning approaches in workshops will allow you to explore and apply your learning to real-world scenarios, and to develop communication and problem-solving skills with your peers.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

General feedback from assessment items will be delivered to the student cohort. You may request individual feedback by appointment with the unit coordinator. Formative assessment activities will enable you to evaluate your progress.

Assessment

Overview

Summative

This unit has two assessment items, a case study interview and an invigilated exam. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate your achievement against the learning outcomes for this unit. The case study interview will assess your ability to critically analyse and effectively communicate your knowledge of pathophysiology with relevance to a case study in an unscripted video interview setting. The invigilated exam will assess your general knowledge of pathophysiology and deeper understanding of diseases that have the greatest impact on Australians.

Formative

Formative questions in the form of multiple choice or short answer revision question will be provided via Canvas.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Case study interview

You are working as a nurse in a Brisbane-based healthcare facility. In your role you have been invited to be interviewed for an episode of a new Australian nursing video podcast ‘Pathophysiology in Practice: Brief Insights’ to discuss a recent case. The podcast is aimed at improving pathophysiology knowledge of current and aspiring nurses, using evidence-based information.

The prepare for the interview you have been asked to develop a brief fact sheet with definitions about the case you are discussing, with the intention that this fact sheet can be included in the podcast show notes. You will then be provided an outline and some potential interview questions, so you can consider key points for discussion in advance. Your interview will be conducted via Canvas.

Assessment: Examination (written)

Multi-choice and short answer questions to examine understanding of the pathophysiology underlying diseases and the application of this knowledge to clinical case studies.

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.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Recommended:
Craft J, Gordon C, et al. (2022). Understanding Pathophysiology 4th edition, Elsevier.
Estes MEZ, Calleja P, Theobald K, Harvey T. (2019) Health Assessment and Physical Examination 3rd edition, Cengage.

Risk Assessment Statement

If you are distressed by issues explored in the content of this unit you should approach academic staff or consult the University counselling service. 

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Registered Nurse Standards for Practice

1: Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice.

1. The RN accesses, analyses, and uses the best available evidence, that includes research findings, for safe, quality practice
   Relates to: Case study interview, Examination (written)

4: Comprehensively conducts assessments.

1. The RN uses a range of assessment techniques to systematically collect relevant and accurate information and data to inform practice
   Relates to: Case study interview, Examination (written)

Course Learning Outcomes

NS42 Bachelor of Nursing

1. Apply scientific knowledge and skills from nursing and related disciplines to the provision of safe, person-centred, evidence-based nursing care across the lifespan
   Relates to: Case study interview, Examination (written)
2. Apply critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and digital literacy skills to make evidence- based decisions and evaluate outcomes
   Relates to: Case study interview, Examination (written)