BMED19012 Clinical Pathology

This course will provide students with an understanding of the diagnosis of disorders by the clinical pathology laboratory. The course is valuable for both Biomedical Science and Health Science (Nursing) students. Since both groups bring different prior skills and knowledge to the course, the content is tailored for each group. Both groups have individual text recommendations, separate study schedules and different assessment protocols. Health Science (Nursing) Students will gain an understanding of life processes, biochemistry and clinical chemistry as they relate to disease states and treatments. Nurses will gain an understanding of the role of the clinical pathology laboratory in modern nursing practice. The course focus is on the biomedical rationale for the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of red cells, white cells and platelets, blood electrolyte balance, blood gases, blood acid-base balance, vitamins and trace elements, diabetes mellitus, jaundice, cardiac and liver disease, gout and renal dysfunction. Nursing students will undertake a laboratory visit to a clinical chemistry laboratory and prepare a report. Biomedical Science students usually already have a strong background in clinical biochemistry so the course focus for these students is in haematological diagnosis and techniques. The course focuses on red cell, white cell and platelet morphology and disorders, laboratory test procedures, automated instrumentation, quality assurance, haemostasis disorders, iron abnormalities, immunohaematology, cytochemistry and immunophenotyping. Biomedical students will gain experience in disease diagnosis using blood film morphology examination and an understanding of modern clinical laboratory instrumentation.