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 into NS90 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Online
| Unit code: | NSN430 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Admission into NS90 |
| Coordinator: | Marea Patounas | marea.patounas@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit focuses on clinical therapeutics, integral to the Nurse Practitioner scope of practice. It enables you to develop and apply a framework for safe, appropriate medicine selection using pharmacology, clinical therapeutics knowledge and the principles of Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) to optimise patient outcomes.
You will develop skills in the application of digital medicines databases, including the AMH, eTG, AusDI, MIMs and other evidence‑based resources to inform pharmacological and non‑pharmacological management plans and strengthen clinical decision‑making.
Your clinical skills will be strengthened to prescribe, administer and evaluate medicines. Completion of this unit provides a strong foundation aligned with clinical, organisational, professional and legislative requirements, building the pharmacotherapeutic knowledge, digital capability and QUM‑aligned decision‑making essential for safe, effective practice.
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 medicines, incorporating pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics in the context of body systems and physiology
- Apply clinical expertise, advanced practice skills, and digital capabilities to the Quality Use of Medicines
- Apply up to date pharmacotherapeutic and clinical knowledge from key evidence-based resources, in the context of patient-centred care for improved health outcomes across all populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and vulnerable populations.
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 for application in real world healthcare.
The content of this unit includes:
- Introduction to medicines and QUM
- Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics, drug interactions, complementary medicines and considerations for diverse and special populations including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, older adults, paediatrics, pregnancy and lactation.
- Clinical therapeutics across a range of body systems and medical conditions in the context of person-centred 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, high quality medicines information resources and digital databases, and a comprehensive readings list and other 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. You will have the opportunity to receive and provide feedback to your peers through a community of practice.
Assessment
Overview
There are two summative assessments to be completed in this unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Medicine Protocol Infographic
You will design a digital infographic utilising a QUT GenAI authorised program such as Adobe Express, to design and communicate a medicine protocol for two medicines commonly prescribed for in your area of practice. The infographic must translate complex pharmacotherapeutic information into a clear, accurate, and clinically useful resource for peers and the broader interprofessional team.
You will undertake a critical review of the selected medicine, drawing on contemporary evidence and Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) principles. Your infographic should reflect this critical analysis and demonstrate safe, person‑centred, evidence‑based decision‑making.
You will then present your infographic in a health service education forum (e.g., team meeting, in‑service, peer education session) to obtain feedback on the clarity, accuracy, and clinical utility of your resource. You will submit the infographic and written feedback from your audience.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAi) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Literature Review
Accessing relevant, evidence-based medicines digital databases ( AMH, eTG, AusDI, MIMs) and literature you will undertake a critical review of the evidence related to the safe and effective use of a medicine commonly encountered in your area of practice. The same medical condition from assessment 1 can be chosen for the purpose of this assessment, however the medicine must differ. As part of this review, you are required to reflect on the implications for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, including culturally safe prescribing practices, relevant Indigenous health priorities, and any community‑led guidelines or evidence that inform safe, effective, and person‑centred use of the medicine
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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)
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].
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/.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
NMBA Nurse Practitioner Standards for Practice (2021)
Standard 2: Plans care and engages others
Relates to: Medicine Protocol Infographic, Literature Review
Standard 3: Prescribes and implements therapeutic interventions
Relates to: Medicine Protocol Infographic, Literature Review
Standard 4: Supports health systems
Relates to: Literature Review
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.NS90 Master of Nurse Practitioner
- Integrate and apply advanced health knowledge and clinical practice skills, leveraging digital innovation to deliver culturally safe nurse practitioner services that value diversity and consumer-led health initiatives in varied populations and contexts.
Relates to: Medicine Protocol Infographic - Apply professional communication to cultivate collaborative and inclusive partnerships with health-care consumers and professionals, leveraging digital technology while using advanced knowledge and skills to educate those receiving and delivering care.
Relates to: Medicine Protocol Infographic - Design and generate scholarly work that applies research methods, analytical processes, and knowledge translation, fostering lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.
Relates to: Literature Review - Lead and advocate for patient-centred, culturally safe, reflective and ethical nursing practice that results in optimal health systems and outcomes for all consumers and communities.
Relates to: Medicine Protocol Infographic