Overview
This unit examines clinical assessment and diagnostic reasoning to recognise and respond to a patient's deteriorating condition with appropriate and timely actions. This unit will enhance your knowledge of serious adverse events such as unexpected death and cardiac arrest which often follow observable deterioration in the patient’s condition. You will develop knowledge and skills in the early identification of deterioration, the initiation of prompt and effective action to minimise serious consequences, improve outcomes and lessen the level of intervention required to stabilise patients. The unit will focus on the underlying pathology of the patient's deteriorating condition and the interpretation of clinical manifestations to implement safe and effective nursing care. This unit will develop your theoretical knowledge of reflection in professional practice of nursing care coordination of the deteriorating patient.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must be enrolled in CL22 Master of Clinical Nursing or CL16 Graduate Certificate in 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 2 - 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 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.
- Interpret and explain physiological and psychosocial clinical parameters indicating patient deterioration.
- Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary health teams, the patient and family to accurately transfer and escalate critical information.
- Initiate and evaluate nursing interventions based on clinical assessment and diagnostic results to optimise patient outcomes.
- Analyse a person-centred care approach to the deteriorating patient through critical self-reflection of professional practice.
N/A.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 100% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 0% | ||||
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 - 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
- Microsoft Word
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
- Zoom account (Free)
- Zoom app on your smart phone or access to Zoom on your laptop
- CQUniversity Library Resources
- Endnote bibliographic software. This is optional for formatting references.
- Online access Australian Standards (through CQU Library)
- Zoom (both microphone and webcam capability)
- CQUniversity Library search engines for research articles
- CQUniversity Library Nursing/Midwifery/Social Work Resources
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.byrne@cqu.edu.au
a.j.hall@cqu.edu.au
j.l.baker@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Welcome to the unit.
Self-directed learning module.
Considering the deteriorating patient.
Clinical reasoning, patient deterioration and assessment frameworks.
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Review the recorded lecture and online Zoom tutorial timetable.
Find out what is in Student Support.
How do I find the Library?
Click on the link and learn what is the Academic Learning Centre.
Review the eReadings and activities as outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and Unit Introduction O Week.
Assessments 1 and 2.
Considering the deteriorating patient.
Assessments 1 and 2 - Review the assessment tasks and rubrics and make a study plan.
Activity – Access the General Discussion page and introduce yourself to your colleagues by providing your:
Name
Where you work
Why you are studying GCN.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program - complete your annual program.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Module/Topic
Health Assessment - Primary and Secondary Survey.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Review Assessment requirements.
Assessment 2 - Commence practicing clinical skills.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Respiratory Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 1 - Start planning your assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication
Module/Topic
Cardiovascular Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 1 - Continue preparing assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Neurological Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 1 - Reflect on knowledge required to undertake this assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
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
Gastrointestinal Tract Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Renal Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 1 - Finalise assessment.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Written case study Due: Week 7 Wednesday (3rd September 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Written case study Due: Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Mental Health Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Practice your clinical skills for assessment two.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Special population groups and deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Work toward completing and passing assessment two.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Triage in the context of deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Work toward completing and passing assessment two.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Patient transfer in the context of the deteriorating patient.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentation - Listen to the presentation.
Assessment 2 - Complete within the next week.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Module/Topic
Summary - Deterioration.
Chapter
Readings and activities as outlined in module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Zoom - Drop-in question and answer, Unit content and assessments.
Assessment 2 - Finalise Assessment two.
Announcement and Discussion Boards - Check for posts and updates.
Student email - Check your student email at least twice per week for communication.
Practical Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (8th October 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Practical Assessment Due: Week 12 Wednesday (8 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
NIL
Chapter
NIL
Events and Submissions/Topic
NIL
Module/Topic
NIL
Chapter
NIL
Events and Submissions/Topic
NIL
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake 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 page and unit content at least twice a week - there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources posted 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
Unit Code: NURS20170
Unit Title: Patient Deterioration in the Clinical Setting
Assessment 1
Type: Written Assessment
Due Date: 4pm (AEST), Wednesday 3rd September 2025 (Week 7)
Extensions: Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period applies to this assessment
Return Date: Wednesday 24th September 2025 (Week 10)
Weighting: 100%
Length: 1000 words +/-10% (excluding reference list)
Unit Coordinator/s: Dr Amy-Louise Byrne and Jill Baker
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and critical thinking about clinical deterioration using a case study.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit's Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
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.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Level 3: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.
Referencing Style
· American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
Submission
Online
Referencing Style
· American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
Submission Instructions
Two attempts are allowed for this assessment item and the highest score is recorded.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 7 Wednesday (3 Sept 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 10 Wednesday (24 Sept 2025)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
No submission method provided.
- Interpret and explain physiological and psychosocial clinical parameters indicating patient deterioration.
- Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary health teams, the patient and family to accurately transfer and escalate critical information.
- Initiate and evaluate nursing interventions based on clinical assessment and diagnostic results to optimise patient outcomes.
- Analyse a person-centred care approach to the deteriorating patient through critical self-reflection of professional practice.
2 Practical Assessment
Unit Code: NURS20170
Unit Title: Patient Deterioration in the Clinical Setting
Assessment 2
Type: Practical Assessment
Due date: 5 pm (AEST), Wednesday 8th October 2025 (Week 12)
Extensions: Available as per policy
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment
Return date: See information below
Weighting: PASS/FAIL (0%). You must pass this assessment to pass the unit.
Unit Coordinators: Dr Amy Byrne and Jill Baker
Aim
The aim of this clinical assessment is for you to demonstrate:
Your knowledge and skills in the early identification of a patient's deteriorating condition and the initiation of prompt and effective actions to minimise serious consequences, improve outcomes and lessen the level of intervention required to stabilise the patient.
Your knowledge of the pathology of a patient's deteriorating condition, and your ability to interpret clinical manifestations and effectively communicate these changes in health to team members including the patient.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit's Moodle site.
Academic Integrity
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.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 1: You must not use AI at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Submission
Online
Submission Instructions
Two attempts are allowed for this assessment item and the highest score is recorded.
Minimum Pass Criteria
· You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
· In order for a supplementary assessment to be considered, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 12 Wednesday (8 Oct 2025) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Wednesday (22 Oct 2025)
Refer to the marking rubric on the Moodle site for more detail on how marks will be assigned.
No submission method provided.
- Interpret and explain physiological and psychosocial clinical parameters indicating patient deterioration.
- Communicate effectively with interdisciplinary health teams, the patient and family to accurately transfer and escalate critical information.
- Initiate and evaluate nursing interventions based on clinical assessment and diagnostic results to optimise patient outcomes.
- Analyse a person-centred care approach to the deteriorating patient through critical self-reflection of professional practice.
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?
