Integrating Science for Nurses: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

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Key facts

UNE unit code: PSIO415

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start

Trimester 1 - On Campus
Trimester 1 - Online

Campus

Armidale Campus

24/7 online support

Intensive schools

Supervised exam

Credit points

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

Use real-life case scenarios to build your knowledge of the pathophysiology of acute and chronic disease conditions that affect people across the lifespan. This unit focuses on applied anatomy and physiology, helping you to develop a well-rounded understanding of these conditions and their management.

You will examine the pathophysiology of diseases and disorders in line with the National Health Priority Areas, which will underpin and enhance your nursing knowledge and skills. This unit also introduces principles of pharmacology and correlates them with the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to the pathophysiology of these diseases/disorders.

Offerings

Teaching period	Mode/location
Trimester 1	On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1	Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites

candidature in MNPP and HSNS408

Co-requisites

None

Restrictions

None

Combined units

PSIO215 Integrating Science for Nurses: Pathophysiology and Pharmacology

Notes

The unit will strengthen your foundational science-based knowledge and critical thinking skills about the disease process.
It will allow you to review the changes in the physiology of the body system during diseases. You will critically appraise evidence-based texts, research articles and Government health information platforms to be skilled, thoughtful, and evidence-based practitioners and apply clinical reflection. This will facilitate your smooth transition into the Australian health system to make informed decisions during nursing assessments and management of disease.
Equipped with an in-depth understanding of how the disease affects a person’s health, you will be able to educate prospective clients and their families.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Mansi Dass SinghLecturer in Biomedical Science, Human nutrition, Nutritional Biochemistry, Human physiology, Pathophysiology - Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Science and Technology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

describe the pathophysiological processes that underlie each disease/disorder involving body systems:
reflect on the epidemiology of each disease/disorder at national and global level ;
differentiate between aetiology (genetic and epigenetic influences) of each disease/disorder ;
research and integrate the underlying biochemical derangements (cellular responses to injury, including inflammation and healing) with the pathophysiology of each disease/disorder;
critically appraise and synthesise the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with the current understanding of pathophysiology of each disease/disorder  and;
demonstrate research skills to critically analyse the findings of human clinical studies and relate outcomes to current understanding of pathophysiology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Title	Must Complete	Weight	Offerings	Assessment Notes
A patient education video presentation	Yes	30%	All offerings	A patient education video presentation. To achieve a pass in this unit, it is mandatory to attempt all assessments and achieve 50% overall in this unit. No Words: 300-400 words
Case study based examination (module 1-7) - Assurance Task	Yes	50%	All offerings	Case study assessment (Module 1-7). To achieve a pass in this unit, it is mandatory to attempt all assessments, and achieve 50% overall in this unit.
Online Quiz (MCQ and SAQ)	Yes	20%	All offerings	Open book quiz on module 1 and 2. To achieve a pass in this unit, it is mandatory to attempt all assessments, and achieve 50% overall in this unit.

Title

Must Complete

Weight

Offerings

Assessment Notes

A patient education video presentation

Yes

30%

All offerings

A patient education video presentation.

To achieve a pass in this unit, it is mandatory to attempt all assessments and achieve 50% overall in this unit.

No Words: 300-400 words

Case study based examination (module 1-7) - Assurance Task

Yes

50%

All offerings

Case study assessment (Module 1-7).

To achieve a pass in this unit, it is mandatory to attempt all assessments, and achieve 50% overall in this unit.

Online Quiz (MCQ and SAQ)

Yes

20%

All offerings

Open book quiz on module 1 and 2.
To achieve a pass in this unit, it is mandatory to attempt all assessments, and achieve 50% overall in this unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Understanding Pathophysiology: Australia and New Zealand

ISBN: 9780729597746

Craft, C., Gordon, C., Huether, S. E., McCance, K. L., and Brashers, V. L., , Elsevier 4th ed. 2023

Note: e-book ISBN 9780729597746. Alternatively paperback ISBN 9780729544634