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Unit outline_

CLNP5005: Neuromonitoring in Anaesthesia

Semester 2, 2022 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study examines the techniques available to monitor the function and wellbeing of the brain and nervous system during anaesthesia and surgery. Despite their widespread use, the effect of general anaesthetic agents on the brain and spinal cord is still poorly understood. There is wide interpatient variability in responses to these agents, and intraoperative haemodynamic fluctuations and underlying disease processes are all threats to the central nervous system which may be mitigated by careful monitoring.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Clinical Neurophysiology
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
CLNP5001
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit of study is primarily targeted at Medicine students. Science in Medicine students should contact the unit coordinator to discuss enrolment in this unit of study

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Adam Hastings, adam.hastings@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Live+ supervised) Type A final exam Final exam
Online MCQ
50% Formal exam period 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Graded module quizzes
Online MCQ
10% Multiple weeks See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Essays
Essay
30% Multiple weeks 1000 words each
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Participation PeerWise and Group learning and participation
Online task/discussion
10% Ongoing Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Type A final exam = Type A final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Graded module quizzes: The graded quizzes are made up of MCQs. Only one attempt per quiz is allowed. The quizzes are open for a set period.
  • Essays: There are three essays designed to help you synthesise and apply the knowledge you have gained.
  • PeerWise and Group learning and participation: Students are required to write multiple-choice questions as well as answer their peers’ questions via PeerWise. The purpose of this task is to encourage students to engage with and think critically about a topic. Essential information about participating in PeerWise can be found on the Student Hub. It is expected that you will regularly answer and provide constructive comments to questions throughout the semester so that by the end of the semester you will have answered at least 36 questions. Constructive feedback to other students regarding published questions is encouraged. Students are required to engage with the unit of study coordinators and their fellow students throughout the semester. Contributing to group learning and engagement of colleagues is a central component of both good clinical practice and being a member of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Final online exam: It comprises 50 multiple choice questions that require students to select the single most correct response from four or five options.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Module 1.1: Introduction to intraoperative EEG Online class (10 hr)  
Week 02 Module 1.2: Mechanisms and patterns of EEG changes in anaesthesia Online class (10 hr)  
Week 03 Module 1.3: Clinical aspects of intraoperative EEG Online class (10 hr)  
Week 04 Module 1.4: EEG in children, sleep and abnormal states Online class (10 hr)  
Week 05 Module 1.5: Cerebral networks and anaesthesia Online class (10 hr)  
Week 06 Module 2.1: Physiology and pharmacology of neuromuscular transmission Online class (10 hr)  
Week 07 Module 2.2: Neuromuscular monitoring – when, where and why Online class (10 hr)  
Week 08 Module 2.3: Measurement techniques and clinical applications of neuromuscular monitoring Online class (10 hr)  
Week 09 Module 3.1: Basic sciences of cerebral and tissue oximetry Online class (10 hr)  
Week 10 Module 3.2: Clinical application of infrared spectroscopy Online class (10 hr)  
Week 11 Module 4: Jugular venous oximetry and transcranial doppler monitoring Online class (10 hr)  
Week 12 Module 5: Intracranial pressure monitoring Online class (10 hr)  
Week 13 Module 6: Neurophysiological effects of anaesthesia Online class (10 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. interpret single channel intraoperative electroencephalogram to determine adequacy of hypnosis and to avoid the administration of excessive doses of anaesthetic agents
  • LO2. use rational test selection and interpretation to ensure patient safety by determination of neuromuscular function in the setting of pharmacological neuromuscular blockade
  • LO3. critically evaluate the selection and application of various techniques for the monitoring of intracranial perfusion and oxygenation
  • LO4. examine the utilisation of invasive monitoring systems for the determination of intracranial pressure to promote adequate intracranial perfusion in the context of neurocritical care.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.
  • This unit of study is primarily targeted at Medicine students. Science in Medicine students should contact the unit coordinator to discuss enrolment in this unit of study.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.