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Physiology & Pharmacology Applied to Nursing - HEA00130M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Sarah Ashelford
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2023-24
B Spring Term 2023-24

Module aims

The module will enable students to make well-informed, evidence-based decisions regarding health and well being over the lifespan based on an integration of prior learning with more in-depth understanding of human physiology and pharmacology.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Recognise and differentiate levels of organisation within the body, processes of normal cellular function and metabolism.

  2. Illustrate normal homeostatic functions and feedback processes.

  3. Identify normal body processes involved in normal physiological control.

  4. Analyse healthy development across the lifespan.

  5. Explain the concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

  6. Synthesise a range of evidence to inform their understanding of health and wellbeing.

Module content

The following concepts and processes essential to health and well-being will be covered: the cell (with a focus on membrane transport, receptor physiology and the role of gene expression); levels of organisation; concepts of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics; nutrition and metabolism; excretion and elimination; fluid and electrolyte balance; acid-base balance; thermoregulation; perfusion; gas exchange; glucose regulation; sleep; and mobility. Changes across the lifespan in these functions will be examined. Forms of evidence informing the understanding of these processes will also be covered.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Specific timeframe online exam		 3 hours 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled)
Specific timeframe online exam		 3 hours 100

Module feedback

Students are provided with collective exam feedback relating to their cohort, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Waugh, A and Grant, A. (2018). Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 13th edition. Churchill Livingston.

Giddens, J. (2017). Concepts for Nursing Practice. 2nd edition. Elsevier.

Blows, W. (2018). The Biological Basis of Clinical Observations. 3rd edition. Routledge.

Tortora, B and Derrickson, B. (2017). Tortora’s Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 15th edition. Wiley.

Ashelford, S., Raynsford, J., and Taylor, V. (2019). Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Nursing. 2nd edition. Sage


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.