VET20040 Introduction to fluids: blood plasma, urine and milk with an emphasis on basic pharmacokinetics

Academic Year 2022/2023

This is a 2nd year core module for the MVB degree. This is the first time students will be exposed to pharmacological concepts in detail, specifically pharmacokinetics. The module integrates and develops understanding of the distribution of water, solutes, and drugs in animals of veterinary significance. Plasma is composed of water, ions, organic molecules and dissolved gasses.Fluid and electrolyte homeostasis requires integration among multiple systems. How kidney function contributes to water balance and regulation of urine concentration is examined. Regulation of (whole body) acid/base balance is described. How body fluids including blood, urine and milk (histology of mammary gland) are used diagnostic purposes is introduced in practical classes. Factors influencing the uptake, distribution and elimination of drugs between compartments (pharmacokinetics) are introduced as part of a discussion of dosing concepts in species. An introduction to diuretics and their mechanism of action is presented based on student knowledge of kidney structure (histology) and function. Due to Covid restrictions, all lecture material will be online. There will be limited numbers and access hours for Practicals in lab sessions. New PBL and calculation sessions will also be online with use of Forums for interaction.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- Understand basic pharmacokinetics of drugs in body compartments
- Explain the significance of fluid composition in intra- and extra-cellular body compartments.
- Recognize the significance of cellular and non-cellular components of blood, urine and milk.
- Relate milk production to mammary gland structure
- Recognize how renal transport processes are integrated to effect water and salt balance
- Work out diuretic mechanisms of action in the nephron
- Illustrate the concept of the kidney as an endocrine organ.
- Distinguish renal and ventilatory systems contribution to acid-base balance.
- Understand kidney and mammary gland anatomy

Indicative Module Content:

See learning outcomes related to topics above

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

22
Practical

6
Autonomous Student Learning

50
Online Learning

28
Total

106
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
-Lab-based biochemical assays
-Q & A in lectures and tutorials
-Use of veterinary histology slides to teach mammary gland and kidney anatomy related to function
-Calculation examples for pharmacokinetic termsm Hendesson-Hasslebalch equation, and acid-base balance
-Private reading of flagged pages in texts and pdfs on Brightspace 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Core modules of 1st year MVB.

Learning Recommendations:

Core modules of the 1st year MVB. For non-veterinarian attendees, basic cell physiology is needed in order to understand concepts.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
VET10150 - Basic structure & function

Incompatibles:
VNUR20330 - Vet Applied Pharmacology


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: MCQ questions: 40 questions in 50 minutes. Week 12 n/a Other No

20
Multiple Choice Questionnaire: MCQ of 40 questions in 50 min. Week 6 n/a Other No

20
Examination: Written 2 hour exam of long questions - examined at the end of semester 1. Students will be advised of any changes from previous years. 4 questions to be answered from a choice of 6. 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Other No

60

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback to be given on mid-term MCQ. Feedback to individual students following grade publication following exam board

Rang, Dale, Henderson, Flower, 9th Edition, Pharmacology

Other texts to be added.
Name Role
Dr Alison Reynolds Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Deirdre Campion Tutor
Dr Gina Duggan Tutor
Ms Margot Labberté Tutor
Dr Fiona McCartney Tutor