Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Clinical Sciences Introduction

• Unit Code

  NSC1103

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  3

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

Description

This unit has been specifically designed to provide nursing, midwifery and other health discipline students with an applied understanding of how body systems function to maintain homeostasis. The cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, digestive and body defence systems will be covered for this purpose. Disruptions to homeostasis as the basis for the initiation of disease will also be introduced to prepare students for stage 2 units regarding pathophysiology and pharmacology. Additionally this unit will investigate the musculoskeletal and reproductive systems to provide students with an understanding of body support, movement and continuity.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCN1111

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCN1102, SCN1104, SCN1106

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Describe the functioning of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems in relation to the maintenance of homeostasis and be aware of the consequences of disrupting these functions.
2. Describe the main elements of the innate and adaptive body defences.
3. Describe the structure of muscle, bone and cartilage and the physiological functioning of these tissues to provide support and movement.
4. Describe the structures of the reproductive system and how they function to achieve reproductive success.
5. Explain basic principles of human genetics and how they may be used in the identification and resolution of common genetic/chromosomal abnormalities.
6. Explain how the components of blood contribute to body maintenance.
7. Explain the mechanisms by which the renal system regulates fluid and solute levels throughout the body and be aware of the basic consequences associated with disrupting renal function.
8. Explain the role and control of digestive processes in the body and be aware of the consequences of disrupting these processes.
9. Identify and name the major muscle groups, bones and joints of the body.

Unit Content

1. Circulation and Body Defences including: The characteristics, formation and function of blood, histology and physiology of cardiovascular organs, organisation and function of the lymphatic system and Common conditions that disrupt the circulation and blood.
2. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance and Waste Removal including: the structure and function of the urinary system, the mechanisms of fluid and electrolyte balance and waste removal and renal mechanisms of acid-base balance.
3. Gas Exchange including: histology and physiology of respiratory organs, pulmonary ventilation, diffusion and transportation of gases, regulation of respiration and common conditions that disrupt gas exchange.
4. Mechanisms of movement and support.
5. Nutrition including: Structure and function of digestive system organs and tissues, mechanical and chemical digestion, absorption, usage of nutrients, nutritional requirements and common abnormalities of digestion and absorption processes.
6. Support and Movement including: Organisation and function of skeletal and muscular structures, sensory and motor integration and mechanisms of movement and support.
7. The Processes of Reproduction and Human Development including: Functions of the male and female reproduction organs and their hormones, Physiology of pregnancy, parturition and lactation and Genetics - simple Mendelian inheritance, DNA structure and population genetics.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• Peate, I. & Nair, M.(2011)Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology for student nurses (!st ed). West Sussex:Wiley-Blackwell
• ^ Marieb, E.N., & Hoehn, K. (2014). Human anatomy and physiology (9th ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Ed.
• Guyton, A. C., & Hall, J. E. (2011). Textbook of medical physiology (12th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
• Patton, K. T., & Thibodeau, G. A. (2010). Anatomy and physiology. St. Louis, MO: C.V. Mosby Company.
• Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2008). Principles of anatomy and physiology (12th ed.). New Jersey, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
• Martini, F., Nath, J., & Bartholomew, E. (2012). Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology (9th ed.). California, CA: Pearson Ed.

^ Mandatory reference