Module: Physical Health Issues 2

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Physical Health Issues 2
Module Code	NUR1002 (ITS: NS214)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

This module will equip students to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to promote the health of adults with intellectual disability as they age and who experience either acute or chronic illness. Adopting a person centred and systematic approach, the module will provide students with an understanding of a range of adult and aging related health issues. Additionally it will provide students with a theoretical and practical grounding in appropriate nursing interventions and supports required to assist the aging adult to optimal health and well being

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss working in partnership with persons with an intellectual disability in diverse settings providing nursing care ranging from intensive physical nursing of persons with profound disabilities to supportive guidance regarding the promotion of their health.
2. Explain chronic disease and complex needs, considering strategies which support therapeutic nursing practice in relation to the prevention and management of cardiac, respiratory and endocrine diseases.
3. Discuss the importance of maintenance of mobility and prevention of conditions which impact on the mobility of an adult as they age.
4. Explore the education and promotion of sexual health
5. Identify an understanding of the principles, philosophy and application of a palliative care approach to the needs of a person with intellectual disability who has a life-limiting condition.
6. Explore the role of the nurse in relation to liaising, advocating for the person with intellectual disability and supporting the person in direct contact with generic and specialist health care services
7. Discuss the specific needs of, barriers to and adjustments required to promote the health of the adult with intellectual disability
8. Develop competence in the following skills: Blood glucose monitoring, respiratory assessment, suctioning, tracheostomy care, portable ventilation, suture removal, skin and wound care,

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	30	Lectures and interactive learning
Tutorial	4	Tutorial
Laboratory	12	Practical Labs
Independent Study	144	Students own learning
Independent Study	30	Laboratory practice
Independent Study	20	Database searches
Independent Study	50	Essential/supplemental reading
Independent Study	30	Independant exam preparation
Independent Study	14	Group study
Total Workload: 334

Section Breakdown
CRN	20513	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	40%	Examination Weight	60%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Sinead Foran	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)	Students are required to complete 1 of 2 clinical skills as per module content delivery. Students are asked a range of questions related to the clinical skills examined and are expected to answer accurately and knowledgeably.	40%	n/a
Formal Examination	Examination will consist of a range of questions derived from module content and delivery over the semester.	60%	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	p,
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

Role of the nurse
Working in partnership, providing direct care, Health educator, Coordinator of care, case management and advocate

Nature of illness
The concept of acute illness and the concept of chronic illness

Nursing care of the person with cardiovascular disease
Hypertension, Angina, Myocardial infarction and Cerebrovascular Accident

Nursing care of the person with respiratory disorders
Upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma

Nursing care of the person with endocrine disorders
Diabetes and thyroid dysfunction

Mobillity
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoporosis, Falls assessment

Sexual and reproductive health,
Issues particular to men's and women's sexual well being: Cervical and breast screening, Prostate cancer detection. Sexual transmitted Disease, Health education

Nursing care of the person with alteration in skin integrity
Wound care, removal of sutures

Nursing care of the person with alteration in the senses,
Cataracts, glaucoma, visual and auditory screening

Role of the Nurse liaison in acute care
History of the role:Death by indifference and 71 and Counting (mencap), Actual role. Health passports,

Capacity to consent to treatment
Assisted decision making as applied in the the healthcare context

Clinical labs
Blood glucose monitoring, Respiratory assessment, suctioning, tracheostomy care, portable ventilation, suture removal and would care

Indicative Reading List

Books:

edited by Lesley Baillie: 2014, Developing practical nursing skills, 4th, Hodder Arnold, London, 1444175955
Hardy, Woodward and Chaplin: 2016, Supporting the Physical Health Needs of People with Learning Disabilities: A Handbook for Professionals, Support Staff and Families, 1, Pavillion, 978-19103662
edited by Jillian Pawlyn & Steven Carnaby: 2009, Profound intellectual and multiple disabilities, Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, 978-1-4051-5170-2

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None