Cardiopulmonary and Renal Physiology
Overview
Students will undertake detailed study of mechanisms underlying cardiopulmonary and renal physiology and apply this knowledge to describe and report physiological data. Students will develop an understanding of how these systems work together in an integrated fashion to maintain homeostasis. Students will also be introduced to the measurement of physiological parameters. Techniques for measurement of physiological parameters, such as electrocardiogram (ECG), spirometry, gas exchange, and renal dialysis will be examined and their clinical value for assessing human health evaluated. This will include the utilisation of exercise as a tool for monitoring physiological deviations in these systems.
Requisites
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
NTR20003 Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Rules
Pre-requisite
BIO10004 Anatomy and Physiology
AND
MBP20011 Clinical Practicum 1 - Neuro
OR
NEU20006 Neurophysiology
OR
NTR20003 Physiology in Medical and Health Sciences
Anti-requisite
HET241 Cardiopulmonary Physiology
AND
MBP20004 Cardiopulmonary Physiology
AND
MBP30008 Clinical Practicum 2 - Cardio
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Compare the anatomical structure and functions of cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems, and the interactions of these systems
- Analyse and evaluate physiological data collected, including 12 lead electrocardiography, kidney function, and lung function tests, and examine the underlying physiological mechanisms being assessed by clinical tests
- Relate the role of the autonomic nervous and endocrine systems in the regulation of normal physiology and predict the impact of dysfunction of the regulatory systems on normal body function
- Compare and contrast healthy physiological and pathophysiological parameters as they apply to cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal physiology
- Examine how acid-base balance, fluid balance and osmotic regulation are maintained in health and disease
- Examine how acid-base balance, fluid balance and osmotic regulation are maintained in health and disease
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Lecture |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| On-campus Lab |
2.00 | 6 weeks | 12 |
| Online Learning activities |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Specified Activities Various |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Unspecified Activities Various |
6.50 | 12 weeks | 78 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Quizzes | Individual | 20% | 1,2,6 |
| Laboratory Report | Individual | 40% | 2,3,5,6 |
| Final Semester Test | Individual | 40% | 1,2,3,4,5 |
Content
- Basic histology of the heart, lungs, and kidneys especially as it applies to function
- Anatomy of the heart and circulation, lungs, thorax, and renal system
- Intrinsic and extrinsic control of the cardiac cycle and the electrical conducting system of the heart
- Physiology of the neural and endocrine control of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal systems
- Cardiovascular and respiratory system pathophysiology
- The ECG: its origins and significance
- Standard respiratory function measurement
- Cardiopulmonary parameters, their significance, and their recording
- Kidney osmoregulation and dialysis measurement
- Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.