CQUniversity Unit Profile
PMSC20003 Pharmacological Application in the Critical Care Setting
Pharmacological Application in the Critical Care Setting
All details in this unit profile for PMSC20003 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

This unit will provide you with advanced knowledge of all aspects of clinical pharmacology to allow you to function safely within the current and emerging critical care context. You will acquire advanced theoretical knowledge and develop advanced clinical judgement for competent critical care pharmacology practice.

Details

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

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Co-requisites PMSC20001 Advanced Clinical Assessment and Decision Making

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

Online

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

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

Assessment Overview

1. Presentation and Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%
2. Case Study
Weighting: 30%
3. Online Test
Weighting: 30%

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 Self-reflection & student feedback.

Feedback

Articulate accommodation of different learning styles in presentation of unit materials.

Recommendation

Reinforce articulation of intent behind delivery of both powerpoint and recorded powerpoint to accommodate different learning styles in the introductory video.

Feedback from Self-reflection & student feedback.

Feedback

Clarify assessment criteria in written assessments.

Recommendation

Continue peer review of assessments and associated rubrics to ensure clarity and suitability of assessment criteria.

Feedback from Self-reflection & student feedback.

Feedback

Engage experienced subject matter experts (SMEs).

Recommendation

Add in video discussions with SMEs to support student learning.

Feedback from Self-reflection.

Feedback

Improve student experience of learning materials.

Recommendation

Engage the learning design team to discuss options to improve student experience of learning materials.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe the indications, actions, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of medications and fluids administered at a critical care level, and how you would evaluate the effects of administration
  2. Apply theoretical knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with regard to medications and fluids administered at a critical care level
  3. Investigate and justify the most effective pharmacological treatment options within the critical care context
  4. Communicate knowledge of clinical pharmacology, toxicology and toxinology within therapeutic relationships.

N/A

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 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 40%
2 - Case Study - 30%
3 - Online Test - 30%

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 and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

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: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Gavin Cousens Unit Coordinator
g.cousens@cqu.edu.au
Natalee Williams-Claassen Unit Coordinator
n.williams-claassen@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 10 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Pharmacology review

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 17 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Analgesia, anaesthetics, sedation & seizure management

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 24 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Pharmacology for behavioural emergencies

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 31 Mar 2025

Module/Topic

Cardiovascular pharmacology 1

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 07 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Cardiovascular pharmacology 2

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 14 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

No new content this week 

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 21 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Drugs affecting clotting

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Presentation & Written Assessment Due: Week 6 Friday (25 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 28 Apr 2025

Module/Topic

Blood products, fluids & tranexamic acid

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 05 May 2025

Module/Topic

Respiratory pharmacology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 12 May 2025

Module/Topic

Metabolic & endocrine pharmacology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 19 May 2025

Module/Topic

Pharmacology for infectious diseases & sepsis

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

CASE STUDY Due: Week 10 Friday (23 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 26 May 2025

Module/Topic

Obstetric pharmacology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 02 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Toxicology

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Test Due: Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 09 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 16 Jun 2025

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Presentation and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Presentation & Written Assessment

Task Description

Pharmacology is forever evolving, so health service providers consistently review their drug therapy protocols to ensure that patient care is contemporary and evidence-based.

You are to select and research a drug used in critical care practice that you believe would add value to your clinical practice that you do not currently have access to within your scope of practice. As part of your research, you are to determine the indications for this drug's use (including a brief background on the clinical conditions that you would use it for), the action of the medication, route/s of administration, contraindications, precautions, side effects, presentation, and recommended dosing for adults, and if indicated, for paediatrics. You may include other pertinent yet concise information.

This assessment involves two parts.

Part one will require you to write a supporting document that includes a synopsis of the primary and supporting literature on the pharmacology you selected. The word limit guide for this supporting document is approximately 2000 words (excluding references).

Your supporting document must be presented in an essay format and include:

Introduction

  • Why have you selected the drug and clinical condition background/s?

Review of drug & synopsis of literature

  • Indications for the drug
  • Action/s of the drug
  • Routes of administration
  • Contraindications
  • Precautions
  • Side effects
  • Presentation
  • Recommended dosage (adult and, if indicated, paediatric)
  • Other pertinent information if you need it.
  • Recommendations for introducing this pharmacology.

Reference List.

Part two will require you to utilise the information collected in Part One to create a presentation in either an audio podcast (MP3 format only) or a creative video (MP4 format only) aimed at your clinical peers. The information in Part Two must reflect what is offered in Part One.   

The podcast or creative video should be 5-7 minutes long. If the audio podcast or the creative video is less than 4 minutes and 30 seconds, you will be penalised at a rate of 5% per 15 seconds. On the other hand, information included after the 7-minute mark will not be reviewed and will not be marked as part of your presentation. 

If you choose the podcast format:

The podcast must be styled as a typical audio podcast and include: 

  • An introduction.
  • A logical presentation of your chosen topic
  • A closing section.

The audio podcast's introduction and closing sections are entirely up to you. Be creative and have fun! 

 If you choose the creative video format: 

Your creative video can take many forms. It is entirely up to you how you produce this video. For example, you could create a talk show or a fire-side chat, or you may draw and explain the key areas you would like to present. It is, however, unacceptable to record your presentation, e.g. a voiced PowerPoint.

The creative video should include the following: 

  • An introduction.
  • A logical presentation of your chosen topic.
  • A closing section.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (25 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Monday (12 May 2025)


Weighting
40%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Part One – The supporting document will be assessed on:

General presentation

  • Organisation of supporting document.
  • Writing mechanics.
  • Word range.
  • In-text referencing.
  • Reference list.

Content

  • Selected condition & pharmacology meets criteria; most current literature used.
  • Introduction.
  • Review of drug & synopsis of primary & supporting literature.
  • Detailed pharmacological insight.
  • Outline of recommendations.

Part Two – The presentation will be assessed on:

Required content

  • Main points covered.
  • Content reflects that of the supporting document.

Presentation

  • Audio/visual engagement.
  • Use of audio/visual elements.
  • Timing.
  • Overall presentation.

This assessment is worth 40% of your overall unit mark. The rubric used in marking this assessment task can be found on the unit’s Moodle page.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please upload your supporting document as a Word file (.doc or .docx) & your presentation in MP3 or MP4 format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the indications, actions, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of medications and fluids administered at a critical care level, and how you would evaluate the effects of administration
  • Investigate and justify the most effective pharmacological treatment options within the critical care context
  • Communicate knowledge of clinical pharmacology, toxicology and toxinology within therapeutic relationships.

2 Case Study

Assessment Title
CASE STUDY

Task Description

You'll need to complete a case study with a patient you assessed and treated during your recent clinical work. The intent of this case study is for you to consider in detail information on all three drug groups involved in the case (the patient's medication/the core pharmacology you administered/actual or potential critical care paramedic (CCP) medication) and contemplate any impacts of each of these groups on each other and/or the patient presentation. You should, therefore, select a case that allows you to explore these three drug groups in some detail. The format of your case study should be in an essay format (with tables if required). It must include:

  • An introduction to the case, with a review of the patient presentation, including chief complaint, history, and physical examination.
  • A review of the patient's medications, including details on each medication's indication, potential side-effects, and interactions, and how these medications may impact the patient's current condition and chief complaint.
  • A summary of your non-pharmacological treatment of the patient.
  •  detailed assessment of the actual pharmacology you administered during the case:

                - Core pharmacology used & why.

                - Impact on patient's presentation.

                - Potential interactions with patient medications.

  • Discussion of actual or potential critical care pharmacological treatment of this patient, including:

                - Relating the drug/s mechanism of action to the patient's condition & associated pathophysiology (that is, why the drug is indicated).

                - Contraindications.

                - Potential side effects & explanation of why they occur.

                - Potential interactions with the patient's current medications or medications you have administered.

You must convey your comprehensive understanding of the patient's medication, core pharmacology, and critical care pharmacology. You will need to articulate insight into the complexities of pharmacology used in the delivery of care in the critical care context and consider issues such as side effects & interactions in the application of your clinical decision-making.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (23 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Monday (9 June 2025)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

There is a 2500-word limit for your case study. The case study will be assessed in accordance with the rubric provided on the unit's Moodle page.

The case study will be assessed on:

General presentation

  • Organisation of case study.
  • Writing mechanics.
  • Word range.
  • In-text referencing.
  • Reference list.

Content

  • Introduces the case thoroughly.
  • Thoroughness of review of patient medications.
  • Summary of non-pharmacological treatment.
  • Summary of actual core pharmacology administered.
  • Discussion of actual or potential critical care pharmacology.
  • Summary of the case.

This case study is worth 30% of your overall unit mark. The rubric used in the marking of this assessment task can be found on the unit's Moodle page.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please upload your case study as a Word file (.doc or .docx).

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the indications, actions, routes of administration, contraindications, side effects and precautions of medications and fluids administered at a critical care level, and how you would evaluate the effects of administration
  • Apply theoretical knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with regard to medications and fluids administered at a critical care level
  • Investigate and justify the most effective pharmacological treatment options within the critical care context
  • Communicate knowledge of clinical pharmacology, toxicology and toxinology within therapeutic relationships.

3 Online Test

Assessment Title
Online Test

Task Description

You will need to complete this online test by the end of Review Week. This test will become available in Week 12, with a specific time limit imposed to complete it.

The test will consist of multiple-choice questions exploring content studied across the unit (Weeks 1-12), including lecture materials, online links & required readings. The test will assess your ability to identify & apply the foundations of critical care pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action, indications, interactions, contraindications & side effects. In addition, some questions in the test will explore your ability to demonstrate clinical decision-making for using pharmacology in the critical care context. This is an individual assessment with no collaboration allowed.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (6 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST

The test will open at 0800hrs on the Monday of Week 12 and close at 2345hrs AEST on the Friday of Review Week.


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Monday (16 June 2025)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

You will be required to answer each question correctly to receive the full marks allocated to that question. Non-attempts will score a zero mark. This test is worth 30% of your overall unit mark. This assessment task must be completed by 2345hrs on the Friday of Review Week. In the absence of an approved extension, there will be no opportunity to complete the task after this date, and there will be no opportunity to apply a late penalty of five percent per day.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Apply theoretical knowledge of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles with regard to medications and fluids administered at a critical care level

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?