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Title / Demonstrate knowledge of diseases and disorders in the human body
Level / 4 / Credits / 9
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of terminology and conditions associated with disease of cells and tissues, and the common diseases and disorders associated with the major systems of the human body.
Classification / Health, Disability, and Aged Support > Core Health
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1As the content of this unit standard is largely informational, evidence requirements assume that knowledge will be acquired from relevant textsin conjunction with models and other information-bearing media.
2This unit standard is intended for those people requiring an introductory level of knowledge in the study of pathology.
3The application of these evidence requirements is likely to occur in a wide variety of settings and may involve higher level complex skills and responsibilities associated with the activity or occupational environment where the application occurs.
4Definitions
Pathology, in the context of this unit standard, refers to the study of disease and disorders of the human body, and includes signs and symptoms, causes (if known) and risk factors in the development of the disease.
Disease refers to the effect of injury and the reactions of the body, mind and/or spirit to the injury. Injury may be due to adverse physical, psycho-social or spiritual environment, or genetic abnormality.
Disorder refers to abnormality in human structure and function; that is where these differ in some way from a normal or healthy state.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Demonstrate knowledge of terminology and conditions associated with disease of cells and tissues.
Evidence requirements
1.1The common terms associated with cells and tissues aredefined.
Rangecytology, biopsy, histology, benign, malignant, metastatic.
1.2The common medical conditions associated with cells and tissues are identified and defined according to the constructs of pathology.
Rangebruise, haematoma, sprain, strain, neoplasm, ischaemia, cyanosis, oedema, tissue repair.
Outcome 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the common diseases and disorders associated with the major systems of the human body.
Evidence requirements
2.1The common diseases and disorders of the skeletal system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis, ankylosing spondylitis, herniated disc, spina bifida, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget’s disease, osteomyelitis, rickets, neoplasm;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.2The common diseases and disorders of the muscular system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – tenosynovitis, hypotonia, hypertonia, muscular atrophy, repetitive stress injury or strain, shin splint syndrome, torticollis, fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, tout, neoplasm;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.3The common diseases and disorders of the cardiovascular system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – thrombus, embolus, coronary artery disease, haemorrhage, thrombosis, anaemia, septicaemia, leukemia, pericarditis, endocarditis, angina, myocardial infarction, rheumatic fever, congestive heart failure, valve disease, artheriosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmia, syncope (faint), hypertension, hypotension, aneurysm, hypothermia, varicose veins, haemorrhoids, phlebitis, Raynaud’s disease, chilblains, vasospasm, polycythaemia;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.4The common diseases and disorders of the respiratory system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – dyspnoea, hypoxaemia, tachypnoea, asthma, hay fever, bronchitis, croup, emphysema, laryngitis, pleurisy, pneumothorax, tuberculosis, pulmonary embolism, cystic fibrosis, asphyxia, chronic obstructive respiratory disease, neoplasm;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.5The common diseases and disorders of the digestive system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – dental caries, periodontal disease, parotitis, gastroenteritis, jaundice, peritonitis, hiatus, hernia, peptic ulcer, oesophageal varices, appendicitis, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, irritable bowel syndrome, haemorrhoids, anorexia, neoplasm;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.6The common diseases and disorders of the urinary system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – urinary tract infection, polycystic disease, diabetes insipidis, incontinence, renal calculi, glomerulonephritis, acute renal failure, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, prostatitis, neoplasm, benign prostatic hypertrophy;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.7The common diseases and disorders of the lymphatic and immune systems are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – metastases, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), infectious mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypersensitivity (allergy), Hodgkin’s disease, anaphylactic shock, lymphoma, lymphoedema, cadidiasis;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.8The common diseases and disorders of the endocrine system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – acromegaly, dwarfism, gigantism, cretinism, myxoedema, Grave’s disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goitre, Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, adrenogenital syndrome, aldosteronism, diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, neoplasm;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.9The common diseases and disorders of the nervous system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – concussion, open and closed head injury, cerebro vascular accident (CVA), extra-dural and sub-dural haemorrhage, Alzheimer’s disease, brain tumour, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, Bell’s palsy, neuralgia, sciatica, headache, dyslexia, epilepsy, shingles, poliomyelitis, meningitis, encephalitis, tetany, spina bifida, hydrocephalus, spinal shock;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.10The common diseases and disorders of the sensory nervous system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – glaucoma, cataract, retinopathy, strabismus, ptosis, myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, otitis media, impacted cerumen, Meniere’s syndrome, tinnitus, vertigo, loss of skin sensation, pain, referred pain, agnosia, sinusitis, epistaxis;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.11The common diseases and disorders of the integumentary system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, hives, erythema nodosum, skin cancer, acne, fungal infection, bacterial infection, pruritus, rosacea, keratosis, lentigines, verrucae, abscess, ulcer, scabies, impetigo, rashes of childhood, infectious diseases;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
2.12The common diseases and disorders of the sexual and reproductive system are defined and described according to the terms and constructs of pathology.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – ectopic pregnancy, fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, vaginitis, emenorrhoea, menorrhagia, dysmenorrhoea, pre-menstrual syndrome, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, prostatitis, epididymitis, benign prostatic hyperplasis, cryptorchidism, azoospermia, oligospermia, non-ejaculation, impotence, cancer of reproductive system, breast infection, mastitis, breast abscess, non-malignant breast lump, sexually transmitted diseases;
evidence is required for a minimum of three.
Planned review date / 31 December 2017Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 19 October 2000 / 31 December 2012
Revision / 2 / 19 May 2004 / 31 December 2012
Review / 3 / 20 March 2008 / 31 December 2012
Review / 4 / 20 September 2012 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0024
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
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Community Support Services ITO LimitedSSB Code 101814 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018