PAR2021 - Paramedic management of cardiovascular conditions - 2019

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit



Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Organisational Unit

Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice

Chief examiner(s)

Mr Matthew Stewart


Mr Robert Sanders

Unit guides



  • First semester 2019 (On-campus)


PAR1012, BMA1012


Course code M2011


EPP2022, BEH2131


This unit continues to develop the role of the paramedic as a clinician by extending clinical examination and decision making skills that were introduced in previous clinical units.

The unit covers commonly encountered chronic, acute, and life threatening cardiovascular problems across the lifespan. The unit will be both theory, and case based.

It will include clinical skills laboratories and simulation to develop essential clinical skills, clinical problem solving and decision making competencies.

This will be supported by a significant theoretical component including pathophysiology and ECG interpretation. The scope of the unit includes the development of skills needed to provide general health care as well as care at an advanced life support level.



  1. Describe the epidemiology, population health, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of acute and chronic cardiovascular conditions commonly encountered in paramedic practice across the lifespan;
  2. Interpret electrocardiograms for a normal patient and those experiencing cardiovascular abnormalities including dysrhythmias and acute coronary syndromes;
  3. Systematically assess a patient experiencing a cardiovascular emergency and associate the assessment with cardiovascular disease pathology;
  4. Plan and implement appropriate and safe management for a patient experiencing a cardiovascular emergency and accurately document and communicate the care provided;
  5. Identify drugs commonly used by advanced life support paramedics for the management of cardiovascular conditions. Discuss their actions and evaluate the appropriateness of their use in differing circumstances during a cardiovascular emergency;
  6. Discuss the diagnostic reasoning, clinical problem solving and clinical decision making processes that determine the care of patients with cardiovascular conditions in order to evaluate and justify management.


  • In semester test x 2 (1 hour each) (30%)
  • iSAP scenario (1,500 words) (30%)
  • End of semester exam (2 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
  • Practical scenario assessment (Pass/Fail) (Hurdle)

Workload requirements

A combination of lectures, tutorials and online activities (6 hours per week), and self-directed study (6 hours per week).

See also Unit timetable information

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study