Overview
This unit provides you with advanced knowledge of normal homeostatic mechanisms and the pathophysiological basis of common health disorders seen in medical/surgical nursing. You will explore the impact of the common safety concerns of persons receiving nursing care in medical/surgical settings. You will apply the Registered nurse standards of practice to the person-centred nursing care of those receiving medical and surgical nursing care. You will have the opportunity to review, critique and refine the planned care of those receiving medical and/or surgical nursing care.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must be enrolled in CL22 Master of Clinical Nursing to undertake this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student via email
Simone has been very helpful with feedback and support
Continue to provide timely support to students and ensure they receive meaningful, constructive feedback on their assessments.
- Analyse the metabolic, biophysical, and pathophysiological changes that lead to a person requiring medical and/or surgical interventions and nursing care.
- Explore the impact of common safety concerns on persons experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions in your healthcare setting.
- Apply the Registered nurse standards of practice to the person-centred nursing care approach to people experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions to optimise their health outcomes in your healthcare setting.
- Critically review and enhance the planned nursing care of the person experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions to optimise health outcomes.
There are no learning outcomes linked to external accreditation for this unit.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | ||||
| 2 - Communication | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||
| 4 - Research | ||||
| 5 - Self-management | ||||
| 6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||
| 7 - Leadership | ||||
| 8 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 9 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- Access to MIMS through the university library
- CQ U library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Microsoft Word
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references.
- Online access Australian Standards (through CQU Library)
- CQUniversity Library Nursing Resources
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.aitken@cqu.edu.au
a.j.hall@cqu.edu.au
WEEK 1
Begin Date: 09 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Acute care nursing, advanced practice nursing, and clinical reasoning.
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student Support?
Find out how to find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is the Academic Learning Centre?
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Welcome and Unit Introduction O Week.
- Assessments 1 and 2.
- Acute care nursing, advanced practice nursing and clinical reasoning.
Activity – Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your:
- Name
- Where you work
- Why you are studying MCN.
Assessments 1 and 2 - Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program - complete your annual program.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
WEEK 2
Begin Date: 16 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Nursing knowledge, law, ethics, and professional practice.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Tutorial and Unit content and assessment question and answer.
Assessment 1 - Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 3
Begin Date: 23 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Preoperative and postoperative assessment and care of the surgical patient care.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation: Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 1 - Read the literature you search for credibility and continue preparing your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 4
Begin Date: 30 Mar 2026Module/Topic
Shock.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Tutorial and Unit content and assessment question and answer.
Assessment 1 - Read the literature you search for credibility and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Census date: Tuesday
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 5
Begin Date: 06 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Wound care and the prevention and treatment of infections in the acute care nursing.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 6
Begin Date: 13 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Sepsis and septic shock.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Tutorial and Unit content and assessment question and answer.
Assessment 1 - Check originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Assessment 2 - Review assessment task again and make a study plan to address this assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Written Assessment Due: Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 20 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Vacation week.
Chapter
Please use this mid-term break as an opportunity to rest and recover. Enjoy your break!
Events and Submissions/Topic
No timetabled learning activities.
Please use this week to progress your assessments.
WEEK 7
Begin Date: 27 Apr 2026Module/Topic
Acute pain.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 2 - Search the literature for your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 8
Begin Date: 04 May 2026Module/Topic
Fluids and fluid assessment.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Tutorial and Unit content and assessment question and answer.
Assessment 2 - Review the literature and access the NANDA nursing care plans.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 9
Begin Date: 11 May 2026Module/Topic
Nutrition and hydration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 2 - Search the literature for your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 10
Begin Date: 18 May 2026Module/Topic
Pharmacology and advanced nursing practice.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Tutorial and Unit content and assessment question and answer.
Assessment 2 - Review the literature and start writing your NANDA nursing care plan.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
WEEK 11
Begin Date: 25 May 2026Module/Topic
Communication for patient safety.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 2 - Continue preparing your assessment and check originality through Turnitin, make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report. Access Studiosity for help with structure/flow/spelling/referencing for your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
WEEK 12
Begin Date: 01 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Acute care nursing of the oncology patient.
Revision and finalisation of term.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Tutorial and Unit content and assessment question and answer.
Assessment 2 - Check originality of assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey – Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 08 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Nil.
Chapter
Nil.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Nil.
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 15 Jun 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
As this unit is offered online (or face-to-face or hybrid or blended [NURS28004]), students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate how advanced practice nurses play a pivotal role in integrating clinical expertise, patient safety and the principles of person centred care to deliver high-quality evidence-based care in medical and/or surgical settings/ complex clinical settings.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted
in this unit.
Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment in Microsoft Word format only.
Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information" is an approximate date.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Analyse the metabolic, biophysical, and pathophysiological changes that lead to a person requiring medical and/or surgical interventions and nursing care.
- Explore the impact of common safety concerns on persons experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions in your healthcare setting.
- Apply the Registered nurse standards of practice to the person-centred nursing care approach to people experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions to optimise their health outcomes in your healthcare setting.
- Critically review and enhance the planned nursing care of the person experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions to optimise health outcomes.
2 Written Assessment
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to demonstrate advanced nursing practice at a level that includes improving healthcare outcomes of the medical and/or surgical patient with a health care associated infection.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment
Extensions
Available as per policy. The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment
Minium Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted
in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment in Microsoft Word format only.
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (17 June 2026)
Students will be advised of release of assessment marking via an announcement posted to the Announcement's Board on the Unit Moodle site. Please note, the 'Return to Students Information" is an approximate date.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Analyse the metabolic, biophysical, and pathophysiological changes that lead to a person requiring medical and/or surgical interventions and nursing care.
- Explore the impact of common safety concerns on persons experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions in your healthcare setting.
- Apply the Registered nurse standards of practice to the person-centred nursing care approach to people experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions to optimise their health outcomes in your healthcare setting.
- Critically review and enhance the planned nursing care of the person experiencing medical and/or surgical interventions to optimise health outcomes.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
