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Pathophysiology & Pharmacology Applied to Nursing - HEA00136M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23 to Autumn Term 2023-24

Module aims

This module will enable graduates to operate as knowledgeable, skilled care professionals with regard to the aetiology and pathophysiology of disease, the therapeutics of drugs and the optimisation of medicines.

Module learning outcomes

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

  1. Explain the key mechanisms of disease and biological and genetic risk factors associated with disease.

  2. Apply this knowledge and understanding to the nursing care of the most common conditions across the lifespan.

  3. Minimise and avoid harm more effectively by assessing how pharmacological interventions, therapeutics and related adverse effects may impact disease and ill health

  4. Explain the ways in which research and forms of evidence influence an understanding of ill health, pathophysiology and pharmacology.

Module content

Ill-health (Disease), Lifespan/developmental differences, Genomics (abnormal cell division, Mental health diagnoses), Cell transportation (education for medicines), Immunity/infection, Inflammation, Abnormal perfusion, Hormonal imbalances, Thermoregulatory imbalances, Metabolic disorders, Loss of consciousness,

Therapeutics, Pharmaceutics & Legislation, Reflection (Nursing Process).

Pathogenesis, Attachment Theory, The cell membrane, Neurotransmitters and receptors, Epigenetics, Equality and Diversity, Stress vulnerability model, Autoimmunity/vaccination, Antibiotic stewardship, Wound healing, Sepsis, Gas exchange Abnormalities, Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, Shock, Glucose regulation (Diabetes), Hypersensitivity/allergy/anaphylaxis, Atherosclerosis (CVDs), Physical trauma, Microbiology, Pain, Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug routes & interactions, Research (types of evidence, introduction to epidemiology, i.e. prevalence, incidence), A-E assessment.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam - 24 hrs (Centrally scheduled) 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.

Ashelford, S., Raynsford, J., and Taylor, V. (2019). Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, Sage


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores 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. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.