NSN430 Clinical Therapeutics
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | NSN430 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Admission to NS80 or NS90 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,118 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,468 |
| International unit fee | $4,764 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Online
| Unit code: | NSN430 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Admission into NS80 or NS90 |
| Coordinator: | Marea Patounas | marea.patounas@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit focusses on clinical therapeutics which is integral to the Nurse Practitioner advanced scope of practice. This unit will enable you to develop and establish a framework of appropriate selection of medicines for individual consumers using pharmacology and clinical therapeutics knowledge, with a key focus on Quality Use of Medicine (QUM) for improved consumer health outcomes. Your clinical skills will be developed to enable you to prescribe, administer and evaluate the effects of medicines based on consumer health assessment and diagnosis in the role of Nurse Practitioner. Completion of this unit will provide a foundation consistent with the clinical, organisational, professional and legislative requirements, knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics and the principles of QUM, that must inform the nurse practitioner's decision making about clinical therapeutics. This unit will be consolidated in the second unit NSN432: QUM and Safe Prescribing.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critically review the evidence related to the safe and effective use of a medicine, incorporating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics in the context of body systems and physiology
- Apply clinical expertise and advanced practice skills to the Quality Use of Medicines
- Apply up to date pharmacotherapeutic and clinical knowledge from key evidence-based resources, in the context of consumer-centred care for improved health outcomes.
Content
The content of this unit provides a foundation in the use of evidence-based medicines, pharmacotherapeutics, and initiation of a process that will lead towards safe prescribing, incorporating the principles of QUM in healthcare.
The content of this unit includes:
- Introduction to medicines and QUM
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacogenetics, Drug Interactions and considerations for Special Populations (e.g. older adult, paediatrics, pregnancy and lactation).
- Clinical therapeutics across a range of body systems and medical conditions in the context of patient care for improved health outcomes.
Learning Approaches
A range of blended approaches to teaching and learning is used to promote knowledge and skills in pharmacotherapeutics and principles of QUM. The unit will be delivered online.
During the semester you will be encouraged to think critically about medications relevant to your specialty, through analysis of evidence and case studies and through interprofessional discussions. These activities will be incorporated in zoom webinars to analyse and evaluate case studies which may include those developed by you.
A collaborative approach is encouraged. This unit is coordinated by expert pharmacist clinicians and will provide opportunities to share learning across disciplines.
An online study guide, online medicines information resources, and a list of readings and resources will be provided. Active and inquiry- based learning approaches will underpin this unit.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback will be provided on each assessment item. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.
Assessment
Overview
There are 3 summative assessments to be completed in this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Literature Review
Critical review of the evidence related to the safe and effective use of a medicine commonly encountered in your area of extended practice.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Examination
An open book timed online exam drawing on contemporary evidence, consisting of general case study, short answer and multiple-choice questions, assessing your knowledge of pharmacotherapeutics and Quality Use of Medicines for different patient groups.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Australian Medicines Handbook. Adelaide, SA: AMH Pty Ltd.(current edition). [Electronic version available via QUT Library website].
eTG complete. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. (current edition). [Electronic version available via QUT Library website].
Rang, H., Dale, M., Ritter, J., Flower, R., & Henderson, G. Rang and Dale's Pharmacology (9th ed. 2019). NY: Churchill Livingsto
Risk Assessment Statement
This is an external course. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times if attending campus. More information on health and safety can be obtained from http://www.hse.qut.edu.au/.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS90 Master of Nurse Practitioner
- Demonstrate advanced health knowledge and clinical practice skills to deliver nurse practitioner services to diverse consumer populations
Relates to: Examination - Apply advanced clinical inquiry and reasoning in assessing, diagnosing, implementing, and developing a holistic management plan in partnership with consumers
Relates to: Literature Review, Examination - Generate a scholarly piece of work that demonstrates an understanding of research methods, processes, and evidence-based practice
Relates to: Literature Review