Program Overview

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Unit Overview

The unit NRSG531 focuses on person-centered care for medical patients with complex conditions. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care to individuals with complex medical disorders.

Unit Rationale and Description

The unit is designed to address the complex care requirements of medical patients, considering the impact of medical disorders on individuals, families, and carers. It explores the pathophysiological concepts contributing to comorbidity and the complex care required for medical patients.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this unit, students will be able to:

• Assess the impact of medical disorders and critically reflect on key pathophysiological concepts.
• Examine specific care needs for medical patients and apply knowledge to inform evidence-based, ethical, family-centered care.
• Compare and contrast potential ethical, physical, psychological, and psychosocial impacts on patients, families, and carers.
• Appraise and evaluate specialized knowledge of treatment options and pharmacological management for medical patients.
• Assess culturally sensitive, person-centered approaches to assist patients, families, and carers in navigating treatment and management of medical disorders.

Content

The unit covers a range of topics, including:

• Intrarenal and postrenal acute kidney injury
• Renal disorders and end-stage kidney disease
• Complex care: metabolic and endocrine disorders
• The immune system, leukemia, and hematological tumors
• Cancer and oncology
• Emergency events in oncological and palliative care patients
• Advanced disease and palliative care
• End of life care

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy encourages depth of learning and provides students with the opportunity to develop their capacity to interpret, translate, apply, and evaluate evidence-based care provision in medical settings. Assessments include a literature review and an essay that enable students to demonstrate critical analysis and synthesis of contemporary evidence.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

The unit is offered in online mode and uses an active and collaborative learning approach. Students engage in readings, reflections, e-learning activities, and online discussions. The learning and teaching strategy allows flexibility for students while ensuring expert support.

Representative Texts and References

A list of representative texts and references is provided, including books on medical-surgical nursing, pharmacology, and health assessment.

Unit Details

• Credit Points: 10
• Year: 2026
• Location: Online