This theoretical unit will introduce students to assessment and management of the trauma patient in the pre-hospital and hospital setting. Trauma systems in Australia and mechanism of injury will be examined. Specific areas of focus will include the medical and pharmacological treatment of haemorrhage, shock and burns, soft tissue, head and facial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal, musculoskeletal trauma. Toxicological and environmental emergencies will also be discussed.  This theoretical unit complements the practical unit HFB2223 Clinical Practice 4.

Unit details

Location:
St Albans
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
HFB2232

Prerequisites

HFB2117 - Clinical Practice 3

HFB2121 - Paramedic Clinical Science 1 (Medical Emergencies 1)

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Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Apply the pathophysiology of trauma cases to the clinical and pharmacological management of patients;  
  2. Articulate knowledge of the pathophysiology of patients presenting with pain of traumas, haemorrhage and shock, soft tissue, burns, head and facial, spinal, thoracic, abdominal and musculoskeletal trauma;  
  3. Articulate the mechanism of action and the correct administration of the various pharmacological agents related to trauma;  
  4. Discuss the management for various toxicological emergencies and environmental traumas;  
  5. Appraise and recommend trauma scales used in the pre-hospital setting; and  
  6. Demonstrate reflective and analytical strategies to identify opportunities for improvement in clinical reasoning and patient management.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Test Part a / Part b Test (60 min) 20%
Presentation Group poster (1000 words) 50%
Case Study Part a / Part b (60 min each) 30%
To obtain a passing grade or higher in this graded unit, students must achieve a mark of 50% or greater in the case study assessments combined and achieve an overall accumulative mark of at least 50%. The assessments encompass critical knowledge essential for safe paramedic practice and to meet industry expectations of graduate paramedic students.

Required reading

Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children 8th ed.
McCance, K.L., Huether, S.E., Brashers, V.L., & Rote, N.S. (2018)
St Lois MO: Mosby

Textbook of Adult Emergency Medicine 4th ed.
Cameron, P., Jelinek., G., Kelly, A., Murray, L. and Heyworth, J. (2014)
Sydney: Churchill Livingstone

Pharmacology for health professionals. 5th ed.
Bryant, B., Knights, K., Darroch, S., & Rowland, A. (2018)
Elsevier

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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