Studying online

There are now 2 possible online modes for units:

Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.

Click on an offering mode for more details.

Unit Overview

Description

This unit includes (1) respiratory ontogeny (growth and development of the airways, lungs and chest wall); (2) respiratory physiology (cell physiology, gas exchange, lung mechanics); (3) ventilation strategies (CPAP, mandatory and synchronised ventilation modalities, conventional mechanical, high frequency ventilation); (4) non-ventilation therapies (surfactant therapy, nitric oxide, nebulisation principles, pulmonary vasodilators, physiotherapy, surgical interventions); (5) medical respiratory disease and management strategies (hyaline membrane disease, chronic lung disease, persistent pulmonary hypertension, pneumothorax, pneumonia, meconium aspiration, bronchiolitis, chylothorax, congenital anomalies, surfactant deficiency, genetic respiratory disorders); (6) surgical respiratory disease and management strategies (congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital emphysema, congenital cystic adenomatous malformations, congenital upper airway disorders); (7) pathophysiology of disease and targeted respiratory therapy; and (8) future management strategies/experimental therapies.

The unit aims to provide a foundation for understanding neonatal respiratory disease by covering ontogeny, physiology and common diseases, advanced knowledge of mechanical ventilators and ventilation strategies, and a strong understanding of individually targeted respiratory therapy based on the underlying disease pathophysiology.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2025OnlineOnline flexible
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe in detail respiratory ontogeny and how developmental stage impacts on respiratory transition and adaptation after birth; (2) describe normal respiratory physiologic processes in detail and have a comprehensive understanding of basic lung mechanics; (3) demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of neonatal respiratory diseases by describing them in terms of their pathophysiology and lung mechanics; (4) demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge of ventilator components and operation, different ventilation modalities as well as different ventilation strategies; and (5) formulate a targeted neonatal respiratory management strategy for individual patients based on the underlying pathophysiology.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) journal article critique; (2) submission of a case study; and (3) a two-hour multiple-choice/short-answer end-of-semester examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.