AU4S038 - Therapeutic Management of Life Limiting Illness in Palliative Care 01 Sep 2024 - 31 Aug 2030 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AU4S038
Module Title: Therapeutic Management of Life Limiting Illness in Palliative Care
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Community and Professional Practice Nursing
Faculty Sub Group: Professional Nursing Practice
Module Leader: Clare Churcher
Module Team: Sarah Wheeler, Stuart Todd
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2029
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100290 - nursing
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2030

Module Aims

To provide an in-depth critical analysis of the provision of effective care for patients/clients with complex symptoms relating to a life limiting illness.

Content Summary

The assessment and management of complex symptoms including pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, depression, fatigue and agitation will be explored and appropriate interventions critically discussed. The psychosocial & social impact of symptoms will also be debated. The themes of assessment and decision making will be considered, examining the physiological basis of common symptoms and the pharmacology of various drugs utilised for those common symptoms. Consideration through the module will be given to psychosocial issues such as anxiety and depression within patients who have a life limiting illness and the communication strategies used in relation to managing difficult symptoms.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 120
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse and apply in-depth knowledge of assessment and management for individuals presenting with pain as a symptom.
LO2 Critically evaluate and interpret a range of interventions, that could be employed to alleviate a distressing symptom (other than pain) experienced by individuals with a life limiting condition.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Online Oral Assessment Presentation (Synchronous Online) 1 Select one symptom / problem identified within units 3 or 4 and highlight the relevant nursing issues in relation to that symptom, focusing on the impact this can have on the patient and the family. Discuss the interrelating issues that are applicable, focusing upon how that symptom impinges on or causes others. This Poster presentation will be related to a specific case study encountered in clinical Practice (case study should be a maximum of 300 words) 25 N/A 40 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Choose one of the following essays: A OR B. A. Use the literature to reflect on a patient you have cared for and critically analyse pain assessment using the holistic approach (Physical, Social, Psychological & Spiritual) as a basis for your assessment. This essay will be related to a specific case study encountered in clinical Practice (case study should be 300 words, which is not included in the word count). OR B. Drawing on your experiences reflect on one example that will illustrate your discussion of the therapeutic use of the analgesic medication used for their pain control. In this discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the analgesic used, the health professional role and identify if an alternative could have been used. This essay will be related to a specific case study encountered in clinical Practice (case study should be maximum of 300 words, which is not included in the word count) 0 2500 60 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (Synchronous Online) 1
Essay 1

Reading List

Corner J, & Bailey C. (eds). (2008). ’Cancer Nursing Care in Context’. 2nd Ed. Blackwell Science: Oxford

Eduardo, B., Higginson, I., Gunten, C,. and Morita, T. (2021) Textbook of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care. 3rd ed. Routledge Press: London.

Faull, C., & Blankley, K. (2015) ‘Palliative Care’ 2nd Ed. Oxford University Press: Oxford.

Ferrell, B.R. and Paice, J. (2019) ‘Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing’. 5th Ed. Oxford University Press: Oxford

Marieb, E, N & Hoehn, K., N. (2015) ‘Human Anatomy & Physiology’ 10th Ed. Benjamin

Cummings: San Francisco

Pryde, N. (Ed). (2021). ‘Enhanced Palliative Care.  A handbook for Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors’. Class Professional Publishing: Bridgewater

Woodruff R. (2004). ‘Palliative Medicine: Evidence based symptomatic and supportive care for patients with advanced cancer’. 4th Ed. Oxford University Press: Oxford