CQUniversity Unit Profile
PMSC11004 Paramedic Medical Emergencies 1
Paramedic Medical Emergencies 1
All details in this unit profile for PMSC11004 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

In this unit, you will develop the skills to recognise, diagnose and manage patients with commonly encountered acute and life-threatening disease processes throughout their life span. You will integrate your developing knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology with patient assessment, diagnostic evaluations, and clinical history taking to formulate a provisional diagnosis. You will use this information to apply the most appropriate clinical management in line with contemporary professional guidelines, protocols, and emerging evidence-based practices. You will also utilise appropriate communication styles, including verbal, non-verbal, and written, to communicate with patients and other professionals to convey information. Case-based learning will assist you to contexualise your essential clinical skills, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. Throughout this process, you will explore the legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities required to practice as a paramedic.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite – BMSC11010 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 or BMSC11001 Human Body Systems 1Pre-requisite – PMSC11002 Foundations of Paramedic Clinical PracticeCo-requisite - PMSC12001 Procedures & Skills in Paramedic Care

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 2 - 2023

Cairns
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Townsville

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).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate 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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 40%
2. Portfolio
Weighting: 60%
3. Practical Assessment
Weighting: Pass/Fail

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Sute Unit Comments

Feedback

Some students found two different unit coordinator teaching material confusing as one uploaded minimal information but elaborated during pre-recorded lecturer video's and the other unit coordinator put more detail into the power point slides with more information linking teaching material to the unit and course learning outcomes.

Recommendation

For all future teachings, there will be only one unit coordinator. This will ensure one generic template for PowerPoint slides to be ultilised and one style of teaching to help reduce confusion with students.

Feedback from Sute Unit Comments

Feedback

Some students were annoyed they had research terms they did not understand.

Recommendation

Implement a weekly, tiered approach to research terminology, information and concepts.

Feedback from Sute Unit Comments

Feedback

Students complained that emails, feedback of assessments, and discussion forums at times were not responded to in a timely manner.

Recommendation

Mandate: one Unit Coordinator with a full-time workload to be attached to PMSC11004. Governance of this item by Head of Course.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Examine patients systematically and comprehensively, including clinical history and assessment data, in a safe, ethical, and culturally sensitive manner
  2. Apply knowledge of foundational anatomy and pathophysiology of disease processes and patient assessment data to identify a provisional diagnosis
  3. Employ appropriate clinical management, including the use of basic pharmacology, through comprehensive knowledge and demonstration of best-practice clinical interventions with consideration to safe, ethical, and evidence-based practice principles
  4. Apply the principles of safe, ethical, and professional practice concerning legislative and regulatory requirements and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

The Paramedicine Board of Australia requires units to align with the AHPRA professional capabilities for registered paramedics. These are broken down into five (5) domains. Below aligns the learning outcomes for this unit with these domains. In addition, the learning outcomes have also been aligned with the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards.

Professional Capabilities for a Registered Paramedic
The Paramedicine Board of Australia is responsible for assessing, consulting on, and setting the standards for paramedics practicing in Australia. These standards and relevant domains are articulated in the Professional capabilities for registered paramedics document. The learning outcomes of the unit are matched to the relevant capabilities.
Standard/Attribute/Criteria Learning Outcomes
Domain 1: The Professional and Ethical Practitioner (1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.1.10, 1.1.11, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.4.1, 1.4.2) LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4
Domain 2: The communicator and the collaborator (2.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5, 2.1.6, 2.1.7, 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6) LO1, LO2 and LO3
Domain 3: The evidence-based practitioner (3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.2.5, 3.2.6, 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4) LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4
Domain 4: The safety and risk management practitioner (4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.4, 4.5.3) LO1, LO3 and LO4
Domain 5: The Paramedicine Practitioner (5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5, 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4, 5.3.5, 5.3.6, 5.4.1, 5.4.2, 5.4.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.6) LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards developed in this unit are:
Standard Learning Outcomes
Clinical Governance LO1, LO3 and LO4
Partnering with Consumers LO1 and LO4
Preventing and Controlling Infections LO1, LO3 and LO4
Medication Safety LO3 and LO4
Comprehensive Care LO1 and LO4
Communicating for Safety LO1, LO3 and LO4
Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration LO1, LO2 and LO3

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Portfolio - 60%
2 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40%
3 - Practical Assessment - 0%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine

Edition: 5th (2020) (2020)
Authors: Authors: Cameron, P. , Little, M. ,Mitra, B. & Conor, D.
Elsevier
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: ISBN: 9780702076244
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Additional Textbook Information

Both the paper and eBook versions can be purchased at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au

View textbooks at the CQUniversity Bookshop

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:

  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

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.

Teaching Contacts
Cathryn Jackson Unit Coordinator
c.jackson@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Professional Capabilities Part A / Law and Ethics Part A.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine

Section 28.1, 28.2, 28.3, 28.4, 28.5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Altered Level of Consciousness (ALOC) / Stroke ; Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.6

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Oxygen, Ventilation, & Perfusion.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Jul 2023

Module/Topic

Respiratory Emergencies & Anaphylaxis.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 2.8, 6.1, 6.2, 6.5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Diabetic Emergencies & Seizures.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 8.5, 11.1, 11.2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Break Week

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

N/A
Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Pain Management & acute Coronary syndrome (ACS).

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 22.1, 7.2

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Aug 2023

Module/Topic

Gastrointestinal & Genitourinary Emergencies.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.8, 7.9, 7.10, 9.4, 10.3

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 8 Begin Date: 04 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Assessment of the Older Patient.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 21.6, 9.5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment One Online Quiz (40% Weighting).

Opens Monday 4th September 0900hrs and closes Monday 11th September 0900hrs.

Internal Class Practical Assessment


Online Quiz Due: Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 11 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Cultural Sensitivity.

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School A

Friday 15th to Monday 18th September.

Week 10 Begin Date: 18 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Intimate Partner Violence.

Chapter

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine Section 21.3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School B

Saturday 23rd to Tuesday 26th September

Week 11 Begin Date: 25 Sep 2023

Module/Topic

Law and Ethics Part B.

Chapter

Section 28 (Review)

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Two: Portfolio Due: Week 11 Monday (25 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Professional Capabilities Part B.

Chapter

N/A

Events and Submissions/Topic


Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Oct 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

On campus: Students enrolled as On-campus will be required to attend compulsory lab sessions during the term. Students must nominate their preferred lab session location and time via the student portal. Lab numbers are capped per session, you are not guaranteed a place at your preferred session, but you are guaranteed one session per week. Students may be requested to move lab sessions to maintain appropriate student numbers to enhance the overall student experience and learning and teaching requirements.


Students enrolled as Distance will be required to attend a compulsory residential school. Students must nominate their preferred residential school location via the student portal. Numbers at residential schools are capped, and a position at your preferred residential school is not guaranteed. Geographical proximity to and/or previous attendance at a residential school location does not guarantee placement at your selected residential school location.


You must allocate your preferred residential school by the end of week four of the term. If student numbers are considered low at a particular residential school, you may be requested to change the date of your attendance to enhance the overall student experience and learning and teaching requirements. The unit coordinator will not assist in residential school changes if you did not receive your preferred residential school allocation. Attendance at internal tutorials and residential schools is compulsory.


If, for any reason, you cannot attend a tutorial or day at residential school, you must provide appropriate evidence, as per Assessment Policy and Procedure, to justify your absence. If applicable, you will be responsible for making arrangements with the unit coordinator to make up for the missed learning and teaching.

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Quiz

Task Description

You will be required to complete one (1) online quiz worth 40% of your grade. The quiz will open for seven days, with a specific time limit imposed (Open Monday 4/09/2023 9:00am and close Monday 11/09/2023 9:00am AEST).

The quiz will comprise questions exploring content based on previous weeks: including lecture materials, online modules, links, and required reading) from the content delivered from week 1 to week 7 in the form of multiple-choice, matching, and short answers. Please access the Online Quiz 1 in the Assessment Block on the Moodle page for PMSC11004.



Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Monday (4 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST

Please see Moodle page for quiz due date.


Return Date to Students

Feedback and grading will be made available three weeks post due date.


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
A minimum of 50% must be achieved on this assessment to pass the unit

Assessment Criteria

  • There will be a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and diagrams.
  • You will only be given one attempt.
  • When the due date expires, any open attempts are automatically submitted; you must therefore start the quiz before that deadline or you will not receive your full-time period.
  • This is an individual assessment with no collaboration allowed.
  • No late submissions will be accepted, and the test will close and become unavailable after the due date and time.
  • In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the quiz after this date.
  • If you have any technical issues, you must notify the unit coordinator immediately.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
The quiz must be attempted individually and no collaboration with other students is allowed.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply knowledge of foundational anatomy and pathophysiology of disease processes and patient assessment data to identify a provisional diagnosis
  • Employ appropriate clinical management, including the use of basic pharmacology, through comprehensive knowledge and demonstration of best-practice clinical interventions with consideration to safe, ethical, and evidence-based practice principles

2 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Assessment Two: Portfolio

Task Description

You must complete a portfolio exploring the knowledge gained throughout this unit.

You will be required to work through the tasks in the portfolio and complete your answers in a separate document.

These tasks support your continued professional development through structured, self-directed learning.

The portfolio and an assessment video will be provided to you via the Moodle page.

This task will involve short answer responses, research, critical reviews, and mini-essays.

Please review the portfolio thoroughly before commencing.

You must complete all parts of the portfolio according to the instructions provided, ensuring that all work is referenced per the portfolio's instructions.






Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Monday (25 Sept 2023) 9:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback and grading will be made available three weeks post due date.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
A minimum of 50% must be achieved on this assessment to pass the unit

Assessment Criteria

You will be required to demonstrate the theoretical knowledge taught throughout this unit.

This will be conducted through varying tasks throughout the portfolio.

The portfolio will have points awarded to each task with the accumulation of these points being the final result.

The portfolio and marking rubrics will be provided on the unit Moodle page.

The assessment will be based on marking criteria covering the following key points:

  • Successful completion of each task
  • Well-articulated, researched, and referenced work is provided throughout the portfolio.






Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit via Moodle in PDF format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Examine patients systematically and comprehensively, including clinical history and assessment data, in a safe, ethical, and culturally sensitive manner
  • Apply knowledge of foundational anatomy and pathophysiology of disease processes and patient assessment data to identify a provisional diagnosis
  • Employ appropriate clinical management, including the use of basic pharmacology, through comprehensive knowledge and demonstration of best-practice clinical interventions with consideration to safe, ethical, and evidence-based practice principles
  • Apply the principles of safe, ethical, and professional practice concerning legislative and regulatory requirements and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

Theoretical knowledge and the practical application of this knowledge is vital when performing the paramedic role. In this assessment, you will need to articulate your theoretical knowledge gained within this unit and apply the knowledge to successfully undertake a variety of Case Management Exercises (CMEs) to a novice level.


To attain a passing grade, you must complete the tasks below. All tasks will be conducted at a residential school or laboratory session, using simulated environments and patients.


Task Description: You must complete three (3) CME stations, each designed to assess your knowledge and practical skills acquired during this unit. The CMEs will take the format of clinical scenarios designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of any topic or material covered throughout the unit by means of structured, simulated patient interactions. Furthermore, the CMEs are designed to assess your ability to perform a thorough and accurate patient assessment and use this information to formulate a provisional diagnosis. You will be required to implement appropriate and timely clinical interventions, procedures and/or skills adhering to your scope of practice. Effective communication and safe and ethical conduct will also be assessed.


The format of the CME will include:


Long case: You will be allocated 20 minutes for patient assessment, history taking, provision diagnosis, implementation of interventions, and overall patient and scene management as a safe and ethical practitioner.


Short case: The format will be similar to the long case, assessing patient assessment, history taking, provision diagnosis, implementation of interventions, and overall patient and scene management as a safe and ethical practitioner.


Oral assessment: It may be in the form of structured questions, or clinical discussion with a patient.


To pass the practical assessment you will need a cumulative score of 50% across the three (3) assessment tasks. You must achieve 50% overall to pass the practical assessment task to pass this unit. There is no opportunity to re-sit any of the assessments.


Feedback and rubrics for this assessment will be provided within three weeks AFTER all residential schools have concluded.



Assessment Due Date

This assessment will be conducted during residential schools for external students and during week eight scheduled session for on-campus students


Return Date to Students

Results from this assessment will be made available by no later than three weeks after the completion of all the residential schools


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
A minimum mark of 50% must be achieved on this assessment to pass the unit

Assessment Criteria

Theoretical knowledge and the practical application of this knowledge is vital when performing the paramedic role.

In this assessment, you will need to articulate your theoretical knowledge gained within this unit as well as apply the knowledge to successfully undertake a variety of Case Management Exercises (CMEs) at a novice level.

The assessment will be based on marking criteria covering the following key points:

  • Successful completion of each component of the assessment.
  • Safe and competent demonstration of each component in a timely manner


The rubric for the long and short cases is available on the Moodle page.


CRITICAL ERRORS: Critical errors in this unit will be classed as anything that causes immediate harm to yourself, your partner, patient, or bystanders and/or any procedure that is performed outside the paramedic scope of practice. During any form of assessment, if any of the following are witnessed it will be deemed as unsafe practice:

  • Unsafe defibrillation
  • Incorrect joules delivered during defibrillation
  • Defibrillation of an unshockable rhythm
  • Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest (>1 minute)
  • Failure to shock a shockable rhythm in a timely manner (> 2mintues)
  • Failure to perform a complete drug check, including dose, volume, and contraindications.
  • Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp
  • Performing a skill and/or procedure, or administering a drug outside your scope of practice.
  • Any grossly unsafe practice as determined by the assessing academic

You need to attempt and pass this assessment item to pass the unit.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Examine patients systematically and comprehensively, including clinical history and assessment data, in a safe, ethical, and culturally sensitive manner
  • Apply knowledge of foundational anatomy and pathophysiology of disease processes and patient assessment data to identify a provisional diagnosis
  • Employ appropriate clinical management, including the use of basic pharmacology, through comprehensive knowledge and demonstration of best-practice clinical interventions with consideration to safe, ethical, and evidence-based practice principles
  • Apply the principles of safe, ethical, and professional practice concerning legislative and regulatory requirements and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards.

Academic Integrity Statement

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?