Program Overview

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Unit Overview

The unit NRSG534 - Renal: Complexities in Renal Nursing is designed to equip students with advanced theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills to safely care for individuals with renal disease.

Unit Rationale, Description, and Aim

This unit builds on students' existing nursing knowledge and skills, focusing on developing advanced skills in renal disease by critically examining the pathophysiology, risk factors, epidemiology, and classification of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. The aim is to provide nurses with advanced theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills on the complexities of renal disease.

Learning Outcomes

To successfully complete this unit, students will be able to:

1. Analyse anatomical, physiological, developmental, and pathophysiological concepts related to complex health problems in renal nursing.
2. Assess the impact of renal disease, critically reflecting upon key pathophysiological concepts that contribute to comorbidity and complex care required for renal patients.
3. Examine the risk factors for renal disease and appraise and implement a range of assessment techniques and strategies for early identification to prevent deterioration and increase well-being.
4. Evaluate the treatment options available for patients with renal disease and how they influence an individual's health and wellbeing.
5. Critically evaluate the implications of pharmacological interventions when managing individuals with renal disease.

Unit Content

Topics will include:

• Renal diseases and disorders
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Acute Kidney Injury
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Renal replacement therapy
• Drugs commonly used in Nephrology

Assessment Strategy and Rationale

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 renal settings.

Overview of Assessments

• Case Study (50%): Enables students to undertake a case study review of a patient with diabetic nephropathy and explore evidence-based practices in prevention and psychosocial implications for health and wellbeing.
• Essay (50%): Enables students to demonstrate their knowledge through the critical evaluation of treatments and interventions for managing renal disease.

Learning and Teaching Strategy and Rationale

This unit is offered in online mode and uses an active and collaborative learning approach to support students in analysing and critically evaluating approaches to providing evidence-based, ethical nursing care within a renal nursing setting.

Representative Texts and References

A list of textbooks and references is provided for further reading and research, including titles on pharmacology, pathophysiology, and nephrology.

Unit Details

• Credit points: 10
• Year: 2025
• Location: Online