Module: Promotion of Physical Health & Well Being

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Promotion of Physical Health & Well Being
Module Code	NUR1000 (ITS: NS209)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Mental health students undertaking this module should be able to identify physical health conditions affecting people with mental health problems i.e the development of metabolic syndrome and health comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type two diabetics, some cancers and the clients health behaviors - poor diet and lack of exercise and sexual health issues. Mental health students should also be able to critique other related issues including diagnostic overshadowing and uncoordinated care between primary and secondary services. Students should at the end of this module have developed the knowledge, assessment skills and management interventions that will promote the physical health and well-being of people in their care.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline the causes of metabolic syndrome and discuss the prevalence of this condition among people with mental health problems.
2. Understand the causes of cardiovascular disease among people with mental health problems and explore interventions aimed at enhancing cardiac function for people with mental illness.
3. Understand the causes of respiratory disease among people with mental health problems and explore ways in which respiratory function for people with mental problems can be enhanced.
4. Gain an understanding of the relationship between mental health problems and cancer and be able to discuss various cancer screening programmes and how people with mental health problems can be made aware of these.
5. Consider the impact of lifestyle factors on the physical health and wellbeing for those with mental illness and explore the barriers and facilitators to promoting healthy lifestyles.
6. Develop psychomotor and technical skills in the care of Persons with Physical Ill Health Vital Signs using the ABCDE format Conduction Urinalysis Metabolic monitoring taking - Waist circumstance, Blood Pressure measurements, and BMIs Undertaking Blood Glucose Monitoring Respiratory Therapy (Peak Flow, Pulse Oximetry, Suctioning, and Nebuliser Therapy) Neurological Observations - Glasgow coma scale

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	face to face contact
Clinical laboratory	8	Demonstration of skill and practice
Fieldwork	3	OSCE and Written examinations
Tutorial	5	Exploration of material related to module delivery
Fieldwork	50	Incorporating preparation for module assessment which includes demonstration of clinical skills proficiency by way of OSCE assessment in a simulated learning environment. Students will negotiate learning opportunities to enhance attainment of module learning outcomes through self- motivated engagement with learning opportunities and activities that are available to them during the course of the module.
Independent Study	35	Following a period of personal reflection the individual student may determine this time is afforded to the pursuit of activities motivated towards attaining module learning outcomes including engagement with online module resources, recommended reading and other opportunistic learning activities.
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20512	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Anne Kirwan	Module Teacher	Denise Proudfoot, Gillian Paul

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)	n/a	50%	n/a
Formal Examination	Exam on aspects of physical health care	50%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

lectures
The relationship between physical illness and mental health, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the need for nurses to screen and intervene. Physical health challenges commonly experienced by people in the care of mental health services in relation to the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, digestive, endocrine and genito-urinary systems will be explored. Related pharmacological and / or behavioural approaches indicated will be examined in the context of the mental health setting to augment physical care priorities. The impact of lifestyle factors on physical health

Clinical skills
Case study and OSCE - to demonstrate the ability to undertake the following assessments: • BMI • Waist circumstances • Blood pressure Pathology tests – • Glucose levels • Cholesterol levels. Blood glucose testing.

Clinical skills
Case study and OSCE to demonstrate the ability to undertake Pulse and Blood pressure monitoring.

Clinical skills
Case study and OSCE to demonstrate the ability to assess respiratory function: • Respiratory pattern • Breathlessness • Sputum • Cyanosis Respiratory rate Pulse rate Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

Clinical skills
Demonstrate the ability to undertake a number of clinical skills related to physical health care

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Nash M: 2014, Physical health and well-being in mental health nursing: clinical skills for practice., 2nd Edition, Open University Press, Maidenhead. UK.,
Brady, A., McCabe, C., McCann, M.: 2014, Fundamentals of Medical- Surgical Nursing: A Systems Approach, Wiley Blackwell, W. Sussex, 978-0-4706-5823-9
Mental Health Commission: 2019, Physical health of people with severe mental illness, Mental Health Commission, Dublin,
Brooker C, Nicol M & Alexander M F.: 2011, Alexanderâ€™s Nursing Practice., 4th, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 978-0702054655
Brooker, C and Waugh, A. (Eds): 2013, Foundations of Nursing Practice: Fundamentals of Holistic, 2nd, Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh,
Dougherty L & Lister S (Eds.): 2011, The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures, 8th Edition, Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex., 9781444335101

Articles:

Michael Nash: 2022, Examining the preventive health-screening activities of mental health nurses, Mental Health Practice, 25 no.5, 18, doi: 10.7748/mhp.2022.e1608, 522943
2018: Well-being, physical and mental health: part 1, Mental Health Practice, 22/1, 34, doi: 10.7748/mhp.2018.e1320, 522944, 1

Other Resources

None

Summary information for Transcript of Training: This module provides mental health nursing students with an introduction and overview to the physical needs that may be encountered when caring for an individual who has a mental health condition.