Overview
This unit prepares you for entry into the clinical environment by developing your knowledge and understanding of key physiological processes associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and introducing you to fundamental techniques used to measure cardiorespiratory function. You will enhance knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, how the functionality of these two systems is interlinked, how pathological alterations in either system will result in systemic effects and, how major classes of medications mediate their effects within and between the two systems. Successful completion of this unit will require you attend all practical activities, perform fundamental cardiorespiratory measurements and interpret data collected from these procedures.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2 OR BMSC11010 Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 AND BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 OR BMSC11007 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 1 AND BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2
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 - 2025
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 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
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 Self- reflection
Students would benefit from more detailed feedback on written assessment items.
Investigate ways to provide additional feedback to students on written assessments.
Feedback from SUTE
Most students enjoyed the practical classes and residential school.
Continue to include practical classes/residential school to allow students to apply theoretical principles into practice.
- Explain key physiological processes associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Explain how a pathological alteration in either the cardiovascular or respiratory systems will have systemic impacts
- Perform cardiorespiratory measurements and interpret the results
- Accurately interpret ECG rhythm strips to aid in the diagnosis of common cardiac conditions
- Identify how major classes of cardiovascular and respiratory medications mediate their effects.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 0% | |||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 40% | |||||
| 3 - Online Test - 60% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 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
Cardiopulmonary Anatomy & Physiology; Essentials of respiratory care
7th Edition (2020)
Authors: Terry Des Jardins
Cengage
ISBN: 9780357699805
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
d.carlson@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Anatomy and physiology of the cardiorespiratory system
Chapter
Revision from A&P units
Chapter 1 - Respiratory anatomy and physiology
Chapter 5 - Cardiovascular anatomy and physiology
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Ventilation
Control of ventilation
Chapter
Chapter 2 - Ventilation
Chapter 9 - Control of ventilation
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus practical: Heart and lung dissection
Module/Topic
Pulmonary function tests
Diffusion of pulmonary gases
Chapter
Chapter 3 - Pulmonary function measurements
Chapter 4 - Diffusion of pulmonary gases
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus practical: Spirometry
Module/Topic
O2 and CO2 transport
Acid-base regulation
Chapter
Chapter 6 - O2 and CO2 transport
Chapter 7 - Acid-base balance and regulation
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus practical: 6-minute walk test and Acid/base balance
Module/Topic
Ventilation-perfusion relationships
Cardiac Electrophysiology
Chapter
Chapter 8 - Ventilation-perfusion relationships
Chapter 12 - Electrophysiology of the heart
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus practical: Cardiac electrophysiology, heart sounds, and peripheral circulation
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
12-lead ECG
ECG analysis
Chapter
Chapter 13 - 12-lead ECG
Chapter 14 - ECG interpretation
Events and Submissions/Topic
On-campus practical: 12 Lead ECG and ECG Analysis
Module/Topic
Effect of exercise on the cardiopulmonary system
Chapter
Chapter 18 - Exercise and its effects on the cardiopulmonary system
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The cardiopulmonary system and the renal system
Chapter
Chapter 16 - Renal failure and its effects on the cardiopulmonary system
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to cardiopulmonary pharmacology
Chapter
See Moodle site for details
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Applying theory to clinical practice
Chapter
See Moodle site for details
Events and Submissions/Topic
Residential school for Mix mode students (19-20 May 2025).
Module/Topic
Applying theory to clinical practice
Chapter
See Moodle site for details
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Revision week
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
The unit coordinator this term is Dr Debra Carlson. Please direct all communications regarding the unit to the unit coordinator, the best way to contact the unit coordinator is
Email: d.carlson@cqu.edu.au
Telephone: 07 4930 6364
and via the Q&A forum on the Moodle site.
Teaching Team:
The teaching team for this unit consists of Debra Carlson (unit coordinator), Sarah-Jane Gregory, Tanya Palmer and Georgina Whish-Wilson. Debra is based on the Rockhampton campus and will be delivering the tutorial sessions and facilitating the Rockhampton practical sessions and residential school. Sarah-Jane and Tanya will facilitate the Bundaberg practical sessions, and Georgina will facilitate the Cairns practical sessions.
Practical Classes/ Residential School:
Students enrolled on campus in either Rockhampton (ROK), Bundaberg (BDG) or Cairns (CNS) are required to attend on-campus practical sessions scheduled during the term. Please review the scheduled time on your timetable.
Students enrolled in CM17 are to attend practical classes scheduled at 9 AM on Tuesdays.
Students enrolled in CB85 and any other Rockhampton and Bundaberg on campus students are to attend the practical classes scheduled at 1 PM on Tuesdays.
Cairns students are to attend practical classes scheduled at 9 AM on Tuesdays.
Attendance is compulsory. You must attend each practical session in order to complete the competencies associated with each session.
Mixed mode (MIX) students are required to attend the residential school that will be held on the Rockhampton campus. Please review your timetable for the scheduled dates. Attendance is compulsory as all competencies will be assessed during these sessions.
All students are required to wear appropriate attire to all practical sessions during practical classes and residential school, as professionalism will be continually assessed. Please ensure that you have the appropriate footwear (i.e. closed-in shoes).
Study Load:
As per Australian education standards, you are expected to commit 150 hours of engagement to your study of this unit.
Example study plan:
3-4 hours per week preparing your assessments or studying
2-3 hours per week completing the weekly study questions and attending tutorials
1-2 hours per week for completing assigned reading
2-3 hours per week attending lectures and revising content through study notes
3-4 hours per week preparing your assessments and studying for the final online test.
1 Practical Assessment
During the practical classes and residential school, you will be required to complete a series of tasks related to the content covered in the unit lectures. These activities include spirometry, acid-base balance interpretation, as well as performing and interpreting a 12-lead ECG. During each of these tasks, you will be assessed according to a series of practical competencies such as communication skills, professionalism, technical skills, and knowledge. Details of the competencies assessed can be located on the Moodle page.
This is a Pass/Fail assessment. In order to receive a passing grade, you must be deemed competent in all competencies assessed during the practical classes or residential school.
The Practical Assessment will be completed during the practical classes or residential school.
Students will receive immediate feedback on their Practical Assessment at the conclusion of the practical classes or residential school.
A Pass / Fail grade will be awarded depending on the level of competency and knowledge displayed during the Practical Assessment. If a fail grade is awarded, students will be allowed a second attempt at the practical assessment during the practical class or residential school.
You must pass the Practical Assessment to be eligible to pass the unit.
- Perform cardiorespiratory measurements and interpret the results
- Accurately interpret ECG rhythm strips to aid in the diagnosis of common cardiac conditions
2 Written Assessment
This assessment item requires you to demonstrate your knowledge of the interrelationship of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and how diseases may alter the function and physiology of both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Task:
To meet this objective, you are required to write a 2000 word (+/- 10%) essay, discussing the impact of Heart Failure on the cardiopulmonary system. You will be provided with a clinical case scenario of a patient with heart failure and are required to focus your essay on the type of heart failure that the patient in the scenario has.
In your essay, you will be required to demonstrate your understanding by addressing each of the following components:
- Describe the aetiology and pathophysiology of the patient's heart failure, including signs and symptoms.
- Discuss how the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems are impacted by this type of heart failure.
- Discuss how heart failure is diagnosed.
- Discuss any treatment/management options available to patients.
In developing your assignment, you should consult peer-reviewed journal articles and referenced textbooks. Extensive use of non-peer-reviewed sources of information is strongly discouraged.
Students are permitted to use Generative AI for the assessment in the following ways:
- Developing literature search strategies
- Guidance on developing arguments
- Assistance in formatting and grammar
If Generative AI is used in any way, it must be cited as per the CQU Guidelines (Academic Learning Centre). The following statement must be completed and included on the cover page of the uploaded assessment:
"I have used (insert technology) to (insert how you used this) in accordance with the requirements of this unit. The reason I used this was to (explain why you used it). The details of how I used it as (insert how). I hereby declare that the submission is an appropriate representation of my individual skills and abilities to meet the requirements of the task/s."
As per academic writing requirements and assessment criteria; citations of information should be of the primary source (i.e statistics returned by AI must be fact-checked and referenced from their original source as well as the AI source). Failure to cite primary sources as well as AI sources could be considered breach of academic integrity.
Your use of Generative AI must be clearly outlined in an appendix including the prompt used and Generative AI response. Failure to include an appendix may result in academic integrity investigation.
Formatting:
- Your response should be submitted in essay format; using proper sentences and paragraphs.
- A cover page is required which includes your full name, student ID number, unit code, assessment title, due date, word count, referencing style utilised in your assessment (i.e. APA or Harvard referencing style) and your Generative AI information (as above) if relevant, if you have not used Generative AI then please state this.
- Student name and student number are to be included in the footer.
- Double line spacing must be used.
- Font in either Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman, 12-point.
- Word limit: 2000 words (+/- 10%)
Week 7 Monday (28 Apr 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Students are required to upload their assessments to the unit Moodle site prior to the submission deadline. In the absence of an approved extension, late submissions will incur a 5% penalty per calendar day after the due date, as per policy.
Week 9 Monday (12 May 2025)
Feedback for this assessment task will be available in the Moodle site.
The Written Assessment will be evaluated in accordance with a marking rubric/guide that can be found on the unit Moodle site.
Your knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems under normal and pathological conditions will be assessed. You will also be assessed on your ability to articulate the relationship between the systems and how alterations in one of the systems affect the other.
Spelling, grammar, and referencing will also be assessed.
- Explain key physiological processes associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Explain how a pathological alteration in either the cardiovascular or respiratory systems will have systemic impacts
3 Online Test
You will be required to complete an end-of-term online test. This online test will assess all content covered during the term.
Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is not approved for use in this online test.
The test will be composed of different question types, ranging from multiple choice to long-answer responses and will assess your understanding and ability to apply the content. Please see the Moodle site for more details.
The online test will only be available for a 12 hour period; however, you will have 3 hours to complete the test.
Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 9:00 pm AEST
The end-of-term online test will open at 9am AEST and will close at 9pm AEST.
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
Online test results will be made available via moodle
No Assessment Criteria
- Explain key physiological processes associated with the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
- Explain how a pathological alteration in either the cardiovascular or respiratory systems will have systemic impacts
- Accurately interpret ECG rhythm strips to aid in the diagnosis of common cardiac conditions
- Identify how major classes of cardiovascular and respiratory medications mediate their effects.
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?
