Overview
Acute alterations in health occur suddenly, may be severe in onset, and may be exacerbated in chronic health conditions. In this unit, you will learn how to conduct clinical reasoning for people across the lifespan who experience acute, severe alterations in health. You will focus on care delivery, communication, person-centred care, and working in partnership with the interdisciplinary health care team to care for the deteriorating person in a complex care environment. This unit challenges you to think innovatively to justify and prioritise nursing care requirements to enable optimal health outcomes for people facing the challenges of an acute alteration in their health.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisites: NURS12163 Chronic Health and Community Care NURS12164 Professional Experience Placement 3 or NURS13133 Clinical Nursing Practice 4
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 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 Student feedback: SUTE data
Content was useful and tutorials were very relevant, however assignment task sheets were unclear at times.
Unit coordinators will review assignment task sheet to ensure better clarity is provided.
Feedback from Student feedback: SUTE data
Having markers more aligned would be helpful in relation to assessments.
Although the moderation process was followed by the Unit Coordinators as per the University policy, several students within the small number of students who responded to the survey identified this as key issue. Moderation plan supporting information assessment marking and grading is recommended as per the DDLT.
Feedback from Student feedback: SUTE data
I appreciated the real life scenarios shared and feel this will help immensely with future patient care.
Unit coordinators will ensure to include relevant scenarios to link realistically to clinical setting. Invited expert guest speakers will also be sought to provide additional context, linking to our industry partners.
Feedback from Student feedback: SUTE data
Assessment feedback could be improved, for example how you could have expanded a topic
Unit coordinators will work closely with all markers and provide further direction on providing clearer and more constructive feedback. Moderation plan supporting information assessment marking and grading is recommended as per the DDLT.
- Explain the pathophysiological changes that occur when a person experiences acute alterations in health.
- Apply the decision-making framework for nursing (NMBA 2020) to prioritise and justify care for the person experiencing acute alterations in health.
- Examine the role of the nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary team in the care of a person in a complex care environment.
- Analyse and apply the best available evidence, for safe, quality practice for a person experiencing an acute alteration in health.
Content in this unit incorporates a number of professional nursing requirements
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia decision-making framework (DMF) - nursing
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Registered Nurse Standards for Practice
Thinks critically and analyses nursing practice
Maintains the capability for practice
Develops a plan for nursing practice
Evaluates outcomes to inform nursing practice
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia Nursing Code of Conduct
Legal compliance
Person-centred practice
Cultural practice and respectful relationships
Professional behaviour
Teaching, supervising and assessing
Research in health
Health and wellbeing
International Council of Nursing Code of Ethics for Nursing
Nurses and People
Nurses and Practice
Nurses and the Profession
Nurses and co-workers
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards
Clinical governance
Partnering with consumers
Preventing and Controlling healthcare-associated infection
Medication safety
Comprehensive care
Communicating for safety
Blood management
Recognising and responding to acute deterioration
Patient Safety Competency Framework
Person-centred care
Therapeutic communication
Cultural competence
Teamwork and collaborative practice
Clinical reasoning
Evidence-based practice
Preventing, minimising and responding to adverse events
Infection prevention and control
Medication safety
Aged Care Quality Standards
Consumer dignity and choice
Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers
Personal care and clinical care
Services and supports for daily living
Organisation’s service environment
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Presentation - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Case Study - 50% | ||||
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 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - 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
- CQUniversity library literature search tools
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- Microsft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- CQU Library hosted Literature Databases
- Zoom access: microphone and webcam required
- CQU library search
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references
- CQU library search tools
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.
c.omiyalake@cqu.edu.au
b.macdonald2@cqu.edu.au
n.browning@cqu.edu.au
c.sykes@cqu.edu.au
k.littleales@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Complex care environments and review of primary survey
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 in the Academic Learning Centre.
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 1 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Welcome and Unit Introduction
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Activity: Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your name and maybe why you are studying this unit and course.
Assessments: Review both assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program: Complete your annual program.
Announcements and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Module/Topic
The principles of triage
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 2 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment One: Start your literature searching and preparing assessment. Drop-in session: Assessment One.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Overview of secondary survey
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 3 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Census Date is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Assessment One: Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Management of the deteriorating patient
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 4 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Census Date: Tuesday Week 4
Assessment One: Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications
Module/Topic
Professional issues in complex care environments
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 5 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment One: Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Cardiac arrhythmias
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 6 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Oral Presentation Due: Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/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.
Module/Topic
Cardiac alterations
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 7 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment Two: Review the assessment task and make a study plan. Start your literature searching and preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Mandatory Check closing date, Monday Week 10.
Module/Topic
Respiratory alterations
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 8 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment Two: Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. You might wish to seek assessment preparation help from the Academic Learning Centre and/or Studiosity.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Professional Experience Practice (PEP) Units:
- Enrol in PEP unit, and
- Upload Mandatory Checks by Mandatory Check closing date - Monday Week 10.
Module/Topic
Alterations in nutritional status and complications of diabetes
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 9 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment Two: Read the literature to identify the credibility of the evidence and continue preparing your assessment. Drop-in session: Assessment Two.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Professional Experience Practice (PEP) Units:
- Enrol in PEP unit, and
- Upload Mandatory Checks by Mandatory Check closing date - Monday Week 10.
Module/Topic
Alterations in renal and gastrointestinal function
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 10 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment Two: Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Professional Experience Practice (PEP) Units:
- Enrol in PEP unit, and
- Upload Mandatory Checks by Monday Week 10.
Don’t forget: Check your unit enrolments for next term.
Module/Topic
Shock and alterations in neurological status
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 11 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Assessment Two: Check the originality of your assessment through Turnitin and make relevant changes to your assessment after reviewing your originality report.
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE) 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.
Module/Topic
Review week: How to answer clinical interview questions
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Module 12 content
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
- Module introduction recording
Zoom tutorial and weekly unit content:
- Module learning activities
- Lecture (pre-recorded)
- Supplementary resources
- Tutorial recording
Announcement and Discussion Forums: Check for posts and updates.
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation (SUTE) survey: Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit! Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Case study Due: Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Nil.
Chapter
Nil.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Module/Topic
Nil.
Chapter
Nil.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Student email: Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
As this unit is offered online or on-campus mode, 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 Presentation
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate critical thinking and clinical reasoning in the care of a person with an acute alteration in health presenting to the emergency department.
Instructions: Refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Week 6 Wednesday (15 Apr 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site
Week 8 Wednesday (6 May 2026)
Results for this assessment will be made available on Wednesday 06th May 2026, 4pm (AEST). Returned via Moodle site. Assessments submitted late or with approved extensions will be returned to students within three (3) weeks of submission.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Explain the pathophysiological changes that occur when a person experiences acute alterations in health.
- Apply the decision-making framework for nursing (NMBA 2020) to prioritise and justify care for the person experiencing acute alterations in health.
- Examine the role of the nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary team in the care of a person in a complex care environment.
- Analyse and apply the best available evidence, for safe, quality practice for a person experiencing an acute alteration in health.
2 Case Study
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge regarding the management of a person with an acute alteration in health.
Instructions: Refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Week 12 Wednesday (3 June 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit via Unit Moodle site
Results for this assessment will be made available on Wednesday 24th June 2026, 4pm (AEST). Returned via Moodle site. Assessments submitted late or with approved extensions will be returned to students within three (3) weeks of submission.
Assessment criteria will be available on the Moodle site.
- Explain the pathophysiological changes that occur when a person experiences acute alterations in health.
- Apply the decision-making framework for nursing (NMBA 2020) to prioritise and justify care for the person experiencing acute alterations in health.
- Examine the role of the nurse and other members of the interdisciplinary team in the care of a person in a complex care environment.
- Analyse and apply the best available evidence, for safe, quality practice for a person experiencing an acute alteration in health.
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?
