Module Information
Module Identifier
NU10320
Module Title
Understanding the Human Body
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Summer
Co-Requisite
NU10120 To be completed in Semester 1 for both BSc Nursing Adult & Mental Health degree schemes
Co-Requisite
NU10220 To be completed in Semester 1, for both BSc Nursing Adult and Mental Health degree schemes
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Case Study Report Case study report 2000 Words | 50% |
| Semester Assessment | 1 Hours Online Exam Online A & P exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | 1 Hours Case Study | Online exam Students must pass each element at 40% and retake failed elements of the module assessment. | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Explain basic anatomy and physiology in relation to the human body
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of pharmacology
Explore common disorders and explain how these may impact on individual service users
Discuss commonly prescribed medicines, administration, monitoring effectiveness and managing side effects and contraindications.
Explain the process of patient assessment and diagnosis and understand routine investigations
Use a variety of appropriate tools to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate care
Brief description
The focus of this module will be on developing a more in-depth understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and integrated pharmacology and how this knowledge informs professional nursing practice and holistic person centred care.
Using a systems-based approach we will explore anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, common disorders and how these impact on individual service users using the ‘virtual family’.
Using a systems-based approach we will explore anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, common disorders and how these impact on individual service users using the ‘virtual family’.
Content
To include human body systems:
- Integumentary system
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system and immunity
- Respiratory system
Gastrointestinal system
- Muscular Skeletal system
- Urinary system
- Reproductive system
Understanding patient assessment and diagnosis
Care planning and evaluation
Basic principles of pharmacology and their application
Commonly prescribed medicines, side effects, contraindications.
Management of cardiac arrest, choking and anaphylaxis
In addition, the module will also focus on preparing students for clinical practice placements, focusing on:
· clinical skill development/maintenance
· maintenance of All Wales passports (e.g. Manual Handling/Violence and Aggression)
· clinical learning requirements
· practice supervision
· clinical assessments
· PAD use/evidencing work-based achievements
- Integumentary system
- Nervous system
- Endocrine system
- Cardiovascular system
- Lymphatic system and immunity
- Respiratory system
Gastrointestinal system
- Muscular Skeletal system
- Urinary system
- Reproductive system
Understanding patient assessment and diagnosis
Care planning and evaluation
Basic principles of pharmacology and their application
Commonly prescribed medicines, side effects, contraindications.
Management of cardiac arrest, choking and anaphylaxis
In addition, the module will also focus on preparing students for clinical practice placements, focusing on:
· clinical skill development/maintenance
· maintenance of All Wales passports (e.g. Manual Handling/Violence and Aggression)
· clinical learning requirements
· practice supervision
· clinical assessments
· PAD use/evidencing work-based achievements
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Adaptability and resilience | Although ill-health and disease follow particular pattern profiles, students will be challenged to learn about the differing symptoms and stages of disease progression, which will require flexibility within their nursing approach. This module will help students further understand the importance of delivering person centred care by developing knowledge of body systems and how treatment options may differ, requiring nurses to adapt to different clinical situations. |
| Co-ordinating with others | Teamwork will be required in all aspects of nursing care, and students will be expected to actively participate in all activities and learning episode events. Students will be involved in small group work, participate in debates and discussions, delivering presentations, conducting assessment and outlining treatment options and be included in mock clinical scenarios, thus nurturing their confidence and knowledge through peer group learning. |
| Creative Problem Solving | Students will continually be challenged to think about and discuss their approaches to varying clinical situations, especially when responding to patients diagnosed with a range of illnesses and diseases. It will be especially important for students to consider and develop their nursing care in relation to individual patient responses to routine investigations and treatment, which may require personalised care requiring problem solving skills. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Students will continue to be exposed to the concept of evidence-based practice, which will further develop understanding of how evidence and research influences clinical practice. Students’ critical and analytical thinking will be further developed through exposure to learning of human body systems, illness and disease. Analytical thinking will be nurtured, enabling students to understand how body systems work in relation to maintaining optimal health and also how the body responds to ill-health |
| Digital capability | This module will require the students to continue to use/and learn how to: • use blackboard/pebble-pad • access lectures remotely and participate accordingly • know how to search electronic databases • use the library’s electronic catalogue • submit work electronically • sit online examinations • use IT in order to deliver an oral presentation |
| Professional communication | Students will be required to further develop their communication skills within this module, as they will be expected to continue to actively participate in discussions and debates. Students will demonstrate their oral and written communication skills by participating in relevant learning activities throughout the module. Engagement in the delivery of oral presentations is again expected in order to develop skills relating to the transfer of information to others. |
| Real world sense | Both theory and practice are equally weighted within nursing curricula, meaning that it is important that classroom subjects are applicable within the practicable nature of the clinical environment, thus giving the taught component a real-world sense. All taught subjects will therefore relate back to clinical practice. Students will learn the importance of being exposed to learning in both the theoretical and clinical classroom. |
| Reflection | Reflection will continue to be promoted within this module, and students will be encouraged to actively participate within their clinical supervision groups; and through guided reflection, students will see its use being implemented practicably to support self-awareness and ongoing learning. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Students will further develop their knowledge and skills in: • anatomy and physiology • pathophysiology • pharmacology • common disorders • body systems • human/lifespan development • professional nursing practice • principles of assessment/evaluations • investigations and treatments |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4