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Pathophysiology and Pharmacology A
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NURBN2102 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology A
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20260200
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Course
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1.9
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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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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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060301
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General Nursing
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060301 - General Nursing
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/nurbn2102">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Bachelor Degree
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Intermediate
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1
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<p>This unit focuses on students’ understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacology to support safe, evidence-based nursing care. It explores conditions affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems across the lifespan, with a focus on the National Health Priority Areas. Through the study of common disease processes, assessment strategies, diagnostic testing, and pharmacological management, students will learn to apply person-centred, strengths-based approaches. Emphasis is placed on recognising patients’ individual capabilities and preferences while selecting and administering evidence-based pharmacological interventions that promote safety, autonomy, and optimal health outcomes</p>
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<p>The following key standards have guided the content development of this unit:</p>
<ul>
<li>NMBA Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Registered nurse standards for practice, Midwife standards for practice, Code of conduct, and ICN Code of ethics for nurses)</li>
<li>NSQHS National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards</li>
<li>National Safety and Quality Primary and Community</li>
<li>ACQS Aged Care Quality Standards</li>
<li>National Health Priority Areas</li>
<li>The Prescribing Competencies Framework</li>
</ul>
<p><br></p>
<p>Content in this unit will include pathophysiology and pharmacology related to the following systems:</p>
<ul>
<li>Cardiac</li>
<li>Respiratory</li>
<li>Endocrine</li>
<li>Neurological</li>
<li>Musculoskeletal</li>
</ul>
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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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2027
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2026
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NURBN2102 - Pathophysiology and Pharmacology A
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Year
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2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>This unit focuses on students’ understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacology to support safe, evidence-based nursing care. It explores conditions affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems across the lifespan, with a focus on the National Health Priority Areas. Through the study of common disease processes, assessment strategies, diagnostic testing, and pharmacological management, students will learn to apply person-centred, strengths-based approaches. Emphasis is placed on recognising patients’ individual capabilities and preferences while selecting and administering evidence-based pharmacological interventions that promote safety, autonomy, and optimal health outcomes</p>
Unit content
<p>The following key standards have guided the content development of this unit:</p> <ul> <li>NMBA Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (Registered nurse standards for practice, Midwife standards for practice, Code of conduct, and ICN Code of ethics for nurses)</li> <li>NSQHS National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards</li> <li>National Safety and Quality Primary and Community</li> <li>ACQS Aged Care Quality Standards</li> <li>National Health Priority Areas</li> <li>The Prescribing Competencies Framework</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p>Content in this unit will include pathophysiology and pharmacology related to the following systems:</p> <ul> <li>Cardiac</li> <li>Respiratory</li> <li>Endocrine</li> <li>Neurological</li> <li>Musculoskeletal</li> </ul>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
060301 - General Nursing
Offering:
<p><strong>Early Semester 1 Nursing</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Berwick (Blended)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Mt Helen (Blended)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Wonthaggi (Blended)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p> <p><strong>Early Semester 2 Nursing</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</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/nurbn2102">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NURBN1105" target="_blank">NURBN1105</a> OR must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NURBN2020" target="_blank">NURBN2020</a> AND must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NURBN1111" target="_blank">NURBN1111</a> AND must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NURBN1112" target="_blank">NURBN1112</a></p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
<p>must not have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NURBN2023" target="_blank">NURBN2023</a></p>
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>Analyse pathophysiological processes and describe the compensatory mechanisms employed by different body systems in response to disease or illness</p>
K2
<p>Identify common medications from generic name and explain their mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects, and potential drug interactions.</p>
S1
<p>Assess and interpret diagnostic results using knowledge of pathophysiology and pharmacology, in the context of patient-reported symptoms and clinical findings.</p>
A1
<p>Apply knowledge of pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and pharmacology to nursing responsibilities in medication administration.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Video application of clinical reasoning cycle</p>
<p>Asynchronous Oral Presentation</p>
<p>30-50%</p>
K2, S1
2
<p>Exam</p>
<p>Examination</p>
<p>50-70%</p>
K1, K2, S1, A1
3
<p>Attendance at Active Learning Sessions</p>
<p>80% Attendance at Active Learning Sessions</p>
<p>S/U Hurdle</p>
K1, K2, S1, A1
4
<p>Attendance at/attempt of all assessments </p>
<p>100% Attendance at/attempt of assessments 1 and 2 </p>
<p>S/U Hurdle</p>
K1, K2, S1, A1
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>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 1 - Students require directions and boundaries from mentor</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Nursing
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
060301 - General Nursing
Offering:
<p><strong>Early Semester 1 Nursing</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Berwick (On Campus)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Berwick (Blended)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Gippsland (Blended)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Mt Helen (Blended)</p><p>Blended Delivery - Wonthaggi (Blended)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p> <p><strong>Early Semester 2 Nursing</strong><p>Ballarat - Mt Helen (On Campus)</p><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</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/nurbn2102">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: NURBN2102 - U1.9