Unit Catalogue

Back to Unit Search

HEA570 - Maternal Critical Care: Chronic Conditions

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Midwifery

Credit Points

Unit Level

500

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Unit Description

This unit uses a multidisciplinary team-based approach, appealing to a variety of health professionals. In Maternal Critical Care: Chronic Conditions, graduates study the conditions that give rise to critical illness, rapid deterioration and emergencies in pregnancy and the puerperium, including underlying pathophysiology. The focus is to develop and build on practitioners' clinical reasoning and judgement skills that are required to assist in prompt clinical decision-making, supporting the immediate and ongoing management of the critically ill woman.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Critically analyse chronic disease and the implications on pregnancy and the puerperium, and conduct screening processes that identify chronic disease.
2.	Critically discuss the pathophysiology of and diagnostic processes related to metabolic acidosis/alkalosis and the impact on critical illness in pregnancy and the puerperium.
3.	Critically analyse maternal collapse, central venous pressure and arterial lines within clinical presentations that result in critical illness and emergencies in pregnancy and the puerperium.
4.	Apply evidence-based knowledge of maternal mortality in pregnancy and puerperium to interdisciplinary collaboration for the care and management of maternal morbidity.
5.	Appraise evidence-based knowledge when designing and implementing plans of care that include both the woman and her family in complex maternal care situations.
6.	Critically analyse the different models of care that support women with complexities in pregnancy, birth and puerperium that result in receiving critical care.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Critical Reflection (1000 words)	10%	3,4,5,6
2.	Annotated bibliography (3000 words)	50%	1,2,4,6
3.	Interactive Oral Assessment (30 minutes presentation of selected condition followed by interactive discussion with the unit coordinator)	40%	1,2,3,4,5,6

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View
2026	Semester 2	External	External Studies	OLR	View

* Timetable will be displayed in new tab or window depending on your browser's configuration; ensure Pop-ups are allowed for this site to view the timetable.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2026 Incidental Fees (PDF)