Download Pre-Registration Midwifery Programmes Biological Sciences Pre

Pre-Registration
Midwifery Programmes
Biological Sciences
Pre-interview selection
day workbook
RB 29.03.12
1
Welcome message and introduction
Dear Applicant,
Welcome to the biological sciences workbook that will assist you to prepare
for the biology exam that will take place on your pre-interview selection day.
The relevance of biological sciences to midwifery is a key aspect of midwifery
education as reflected in the Midwives Rules and Standards (NMC 2004)*. Indeed,
the biological sciences you have been taught as part of your nurse education
programme will provide a foundation for the development of your knowledge
throughout the midwifery curriculum. It will be taught in such a way as to
enhance your understanding of the skills used and decisions made in practice.
Thus, you will be able to relate the theoretical knowledge to practice and to be
able to develop a rational basis for care.
You will continue to study biological sciences within the midwifery curriculum
We are confident that you will find the workbook useful and that the
knowledge and understanding that you acquire will be beneficial to your
development as a safe and competent practitioner
*Nursing and Midwifery Council (2004) Midwives Rules and Standards. London, NMC.
RB 29.03.12
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The Heart and Cardiovascular System
Aim
To introduce the structure and functions of the blood vessels and the heart.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify the types of vessels that make up the circulatory system.
2. Describe the structure and function of the above.
3. Describe how the pressure changes as blood progresses from the
arteries through to the venous system.
4. Describe the role of the skeletal muscles and valves in the return of
blood to the heart.
5. Locate the following major arteries: aorta; subclavian; common carotid;
internal and external carotids; brachio cephalic; axillary; brachial; ulnar;
radial; common iliac; external iliac; femoral; tibial.
6. Locate the following major veins: superior and inferior vena cava;
subclavian; internal and external jugular; pulmonary; cephalic;
brachial; basilic; common iliac; external iliac; femoral; long saphenous.
7. Define the pulse and identify the major points for palpation.
8. Identify the tissues and organs of the lymphatic system.
9. Describe the role of the lymphatic system to include immunity, fluid
balance and the transport of lipids.
10. Describe the formation and flow of lymph.
11. Describe the position of the heart, its shape and relationship to the
lungs, major vessels, diaphragm and oesophagus.
12. Identify the four chambers; the septum; apex and base; the four
valves; the chordae tendinae and the vessels entering and leaving
the heart.
13. Draw a simple diagram of the heart identifying the major structures.
14. Outline the structure of the heart wall and describe the characteristics
of cardiac muscle including autorhythmicity.
15. Describe blood flow through the heart from the pulmonary to systemic
circulation.
16. Outline the function of heart as a pump including the events through
one cardiac cycle.
17. Describe the conduction system of the heart.
18. Relate the events of the cardiac cycle to the electrocardiogram (ECG).
19. Define heart rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, tachycardia,
bradycardia and sinus rhythm.
20. Define the terms blood pressure and peripheral resistance.
21. Explain how cardiac output and peripheral resistance generates blood
pressure.
22. Outline the location and role of chemo receptors, baroreceptors
and the medullary cardiovascular centres in the control of blood
pressure.
23. Define the terms hypertension, hypotension, normotension and postural
hypotension.
24. State the role of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).
RB 29.03.12
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Blood Groups and Haemostasis
Aim
To outline the components of blood and describe their function.
Learning outcomes
1. Describe the constituents of blood.
2. Outline the production and function of erythrocytes, leucocytes, platelets
(thrombocytes) and plasma.
3. Identify the factors important in erythropoiesis.
4. Define the term thrombus.
5. List the 4 main blood types.
6. Outline the concept of compatibility/incompatibility between donor
and recipient.
7. Outline the importance of the Rhesus factor in grouping
blood, particularly during a transfusion and during
pregnancy.
8. Outline the mechanism of blood clotting, identifying the intrinsic
and extrinsic pathways.
9. Outline the three stages of haemostasis.
10. Identify the role of the following in haemostasis: Calcium; vitamin K,
fibrin and prothrombin activator.
Urinary System
Aim
To introduce the structure and physiology of the urinary system.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify the following structures in the kidney, urinary bladder,
ureter and urethra.
2. Draw a simple diagram of the bladder and label the important
structures.
3. Identify the following regions of the kidney: cortex, medulla,
pelvis, calyces and pyramids.
4 . Identify the following structures of the nephron: Bowman 's
capsule, glomerulus, afferent arteriole, efferent arteriole,
proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted
tubule and collecting tubule (collecting duct).
5. Describe the physiological process of filtration, reabsorption and secretion
with reference to the nephron.
6. List substances that pass in or out of the nephron during filtration,
reabsorption and secretion.
7. Outline the actions of antidiuretic hormone and aldosterone
in the kidney.
8. Identify the importance of the kidney in pH regulation.
9. Explain the role of the kidney in the elimination of nitrogenous waste.
10. Describe the renin-angiotensinogen mechanism and its function in the
body.
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Endocrine System
Aim
To introduce the main endocrine glands and their hormonal products.
To investigate the relationship between the hypothalamus and the pituitary.
To investigate endocrine control of homeostasis in health and disease.
Learning outcomes
1. Outline the position and structure of the following endocrine glands
and tissues: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal gland,
ovary, testes, liver, kidney and heart.
2. List the main hormone products of these glands and their major
functions.
3. Define the terms hormone, endocrine, exocrine and autocrine.
4. Briefly outline the process of endocrine signaling (including the roles
of: endocrine/ductless glands, hormones, target tissues and receptors).
5. Outline the relationship between the hypothalamus and the pituitary
(both anterior and posterior).
6. List the main releasing hormones produced by the hypothalamus.
7. Outline the components of the thyroid axis and state the function
of each.
8. Describe the main physiological effects of hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism sm.
9. Discuss the role of the pancreas in blood glucose homeostasis.
Female Reproductive System
Aim
To introduce the structure and function of the female reproductive system.
To introduce the learner to the hormonal control of the female reproductive system.
Learning outcomes.
1. Identify the following structures of the female reproductive
system: ovaries, uterine tubes, fimbriae, uterus, cervix, vagina,
labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, broad ligament and round ligament.
2. Describe the functions of each of the above.
3. Write short notes on the structure and function of each part
of the breast and the physiology of lactation.
4. List a minimum of 8 constituents of breastmilk and their relevance to the
neonate.
5. With reference to the relevant anatomy describe the physiology of
lactation.
6. Identify the phases of mitosis and meiosis.
7. Review the anatomy of the female reproductive system.
8. Describe the development of secondary sexual characteristics at puberty in
the female.
9. Discuss the onset of menarche in the female.
10. Outline the hormonal basis for the above.
11. Describe the process of oogenesis including appropriate hormonal
influences.
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12. Describe what is happening in the endocrine system, the ovary and the
uterus during the following stages of the menstrual cycle: Proliferative
(follicular), Secretory (luteal), and Menstrual: Consider the effects of
fertilisation.
13. Describe and relate the events in the ovary, uterus and hypothalamopituitary axis during the menstrual cycle.
14. Discuss the effects of LH and FSH
15. Define Naegele’s rule and calculate EDB.
16. Describe the changes in the breast during the following periods: Puberty,
the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Nervous System
Aims
To introduce the main components of the nervous system
To investigate the functions of the brain and associated structures.
To introduce the structure and function of the spinal cord and the functions of the
autonomic nervous system.
Learning outcomes
1. List the major components of the nervous system.
2. Outline the general functions of the nervous system.
3. Outline the functions of the spinal cord.
4. Identify the following structure of the spinal cord: white matter,
gray matter, central canal, ventral root ganglion, dorsal root
ganglion and spinal meninges.
5. Identify the following parts of the brain and outline their
functions: cerebrum, cerebellum, medulla, pons, midbrain,
hypothalamus and thalamus.
6. Name the meninges of the brain and outline their function.
7. Outline the production, circulation and functions of cerebrospinal fluid.
8. Identify the blood supply to the brain.
9. Identify the following areas of the cerebrum and outline their
function: lobes, cortex, corpus callosum, internal capsule, basal
ganglia and limbic system.
10. Locate the following areas of cerebral cortex and outline their function:
primary somatosensory, primary motor, primary visual, primary auditory,
primary olfactory, Broca's, Wernicke's and association areas.
11. With reference to neuronal structure briefly outline the processes of
axonal action potential transmission, synaptic communication and
neuromuscular transmission.
12. Identify the types of receptors which "inform" the nervous system - to
include the concepts of exteroreceptors and interoreceptors,
proprioreceptors and the special senses.
13. Describe a simple reflex arc.
14. Compare the functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of
the autonomic nervous system.
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Respiratory System
Aim
To introduce the structure of the respiratory system.
To introduce the function of the respiratory system.
Learning outcomes
1. Describe the position and structure of upper and lower respiratory
tracts.
2. Identify the roles played by each of the following: nose,
nasopharynx, mouth, oropharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi and
alveoli.
3. Describe the structure and position of the lungs.
4. Describe the mechanics of ventilation.
5. Identify the following respiratory volumes and lung capacities:
tidal volume, vital capacity, residual volume, Peak Expiratory Flow
Rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1).
6. Briefly describe what surfactant is and describe its role.
7. Outline the processes of internal and external respiration.
8.
Describe what is meant by the partial pressure of gases and discuss the
normal ranges in terms of kPa (kilopascals).
9.
Describe the chemical and neural aspects of breathing.
10. Indicate how gases are transported around the body.
11. Explain the terms respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis.
12. Discuss the effect of directed and non-directed pushing in labour on
gaseous exchange.
Digestive System
Aims
To introduce the structure of the digestive system and terminology associated
with abnormal function.
To introduce the structure and function of the liver and gall bladder. To introduce
function of the digestive system.
To investigate the neural and hormonal control of digestion. To discuss liver
dysfunction.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify the following tissues and organs of the digestive tract;
oropharynx, epiglottis, oesophagus, stomach (greater and lesser
curvature, fundus, body, antrum, pyloric sphincter, cardiac sphincter)
duodenum, pancreas, common bile duct, jejunum, ileum, ileo-caecal
valve, appendix, caecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure, transverse
colon, splenic flexure, descending colon, sigmoid colon, rectum and anal
canal.
2. Differentiate between deciduous and permanent dentition.
3. Name the three pairs of salivary glands and describe their locations and
functions.
4. Identify the regional distribution of taste buds on the tongue.
5. Identify the locations of the nine abdominal regions.
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6. Identify the following structures of the liver and biliary tree: right and
left lobes of the liver, right and left hepatic duct, gall bladder, cystic
duct, common bile duct, sphincter of Oddi and ampulla of Vater.
7. Outline the structure of a lobule to include bile canaliculi, intralobular,
interlobular veins, liver cords and liver sinusoids.
8. List the main functions of the liver.
9. Describe the functions of a liver cell with special reference to bile
secretion, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.
10. Identify the contents and function of bile.
11. Outline the structure and function of the gall bladder.
12. List the main functions of the digestive system.
13. Outline the functions of the following: oesophagus, stomach,
duodenum, pancreas, jejunum and ileum, large colon and rectum.
14. Outline the sites of digestion of disaccharides, polysaccharides, fats
and proteins in relation to named enzymes.
15. Outline the three phases of gastric secretion.
16. Recognise the roles of the hormones secretin and cholecystokinin in
digestion.
17. Recognise the role of bile in digestion.
18. Outline lipid metabolism.
19. Identify the role of lipoproteins (HDL, LDL and VLDL) in lipid
transport and their importance in health and disease.
20. Outline the physiology of defaecation.
21. Recognise the following problems in patients with obstructive jaundice,
jaundice, the presence of bilirubin in the urine, clay coloured stools,
pruritus, unable to tolerate fats, biliary colic.
Genetics
Aim
To introduce how DNA acts as a blueprint for the cell.
To investigate the nature of inheritance and relate this to named genetic
conditions.
Learning outcomes
1. Outline the relationships between DNA, genes and chromosomes.
2. Outline the structure and function of DNA and RNA.
3. Explain the terms: allele, locus, genotype, phenotype, homozygosity,
heterozygosity,
dominance,
co-dominance,
recessive,
homologous
chromosomes, mutation autosomes and sex chromosomes.
4. Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.
5. Describe the significance of cross over in genetic inheritance.
6. Draw a Punnett square indicating the genotypic and phenotypic traits.
7. Outline with examples the inheritance of autosomal dominant (e.g.
polycystic kidney disease), autosomal recessive (e.g. PKU, Sickle cell
anaemia, and thalassaemia) and sex linked traits (e.g. Haemophilia and
colour blindness).
8. Explain co-dominance in relation to the ABO blood group.
9. Differentiate between chromosome, single gene, polygenic and
multifactorial disorders.
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Immune System
Aim
To introduce the many ways in which the body prevents and fights infection.
To investigate the nature of the immune response in health and disease.
Learning outcomes
1. Identify the organs, tissues and cells which help the body fight infection.
2. Outline the role of the following cells in the immune response:
lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, mast cells,
eosinophils and natural killer cells.
3. Describe the importance of non-specific immunity to include natural
barriers and inflammation. State the clinical signs of inflammation.
4. Outline the importance of specific immunity.
5. Explain the terms antigen and antibody.
6. Briefly describe humoral immunity to include the role of B and T
lymphocytes.
7. Briefly describe cell-mediated immunity to include the role of T
lymphocytes.
8. Name the different types of antibodies and indicate their major
functions.
9. Outline the physiological process of immunity in the context of active and
passive immunity.
10. Outline the role of the lymphatic system in immunity.
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