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HE Unit Template
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Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
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HEALA6400 - Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
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20250200
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Course
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2.1
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Nursing
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Institute of Health and Wellbeing
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Nursing
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Postgraduate - Coursework
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30
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.25
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060311
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Aged Care Nursing
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060311 - Aged Care Nursing
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/heala6400">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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Bachelor Honours Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
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Advanced
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<p>The purpose of this unit is to prepare health care professionals with an in-depth understanding of the natural pathophysiological changes that occur as a function of the ageing process. The unit will explore the major body systems, the changes as a result of ageing and associated implications for practice. Pharmacology, including the implication for ageing on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the concept of polypharmacy, are examined in the context of pathophysiological alterations.</p>
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<p>Examination of each body system including the pathophysiology of normal ageing, common changes associated with ageing and their pharmacological management.</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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0200
Year
Year
2027
Current Year
2026
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HEALA6400 - Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
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HEALA6400 - Pathology and Pharmacology in the Older Adult
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Semester
Semester 1
Semester 2
Summer Semester
Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>The purpose of this unit is to prepare health care professionals with an in-depth understanding of the natural pathophysiological changes that occur as a function of the ageing process. The unit will explore the major body systems, the changes as a result of ageing and associated implications for practice. Pharmacology, including the implication for ageing on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and the concept of polypharmacy, are examined in the context of pathophysiological alterations.</p>
Unit content
<p>Examination of each body system including the pathophysiology of normal ageing, common changes associated with ageing and their pharmacological management.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Credit points:
30
EFTSL:
0.25
Field of education:
060311 - Aged Care Nursing
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/heala6400">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
K1
<p>Critically examine and explain the pathological effects of ageing and selected disease process at a cellular and systemic level and their associated manifestations in the older adult.</p>
K2
<p>Identify appropriate and inappropriate response to pharmacological therapy as a result of alterations in physiology associated with ageing.</p>
K3
<p>Analyse and describe the characteristics of physiological alterations or disease within each of the physiological systems and identify the etiological factors associated with the ageing process.</p>
S1
<p>Critically evaluate the effect of physiological mechanisms of ageing and how they manifest in physical presentation.</p>
S2
<p>Identify and discuss the physiological factors that impact on the older adult at both a cellular and systemic level.</p>
S3
<p>Critically analyse the physiological and pathological changes associated with ageing and the possible beneficial and adverse outcomes of pharmacotherapy in the older adult through comprehensive assessment</p>
A1
<p>Interpret the epidemiology, physiologic changes, physical and psychological conditions commonly seen in older adults in the development of a coordinated approach to reducing drug related problems through the process of comprehensive geriatric assessment.</p>
A2
<p>Demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of how age related physiological changes in older adults can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of common medications.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Critical analysis of contemporary issues associated with the physiological changes common in the older adult</p>
<p>Essay</p>
<p>40 - 60%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, A1, A2
2
<p>Application of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology in the context of ageing</p>
<p>Case study</p>
<p>30 - 50%</p>
K1, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2
3
<p>Assessment of principles of advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology in the older adult.</p>
<p>Online Quizzes</p>
<p>10 - 30%</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1, A2
4
<p>Satisfactory demonstration of clinically relevant knowledge associated with the advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology in the older adult</p>
<p>Assessment of key clinical knowledge within a workplace practice.</p>
<p>S/U Hurdle</p>
K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Postgraduate - Coursework
Credit points:
30
EFTSL:
0.25
Field of education:
060311 - Aged Care Nursing
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 1</strong><p>On-line Learning</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/heala6400">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: HEALA6400 - U2.1