Essential Nursing Care: Acute Care

Abstract

This subject will provide students with the knowledge and skills they require to provide safe, evidence-based nursing care to children and adults in the acute care setting. In keeping with the National Health Priority Areas, students will use a case-based approach to explore the pathophysiology, typical and atypical presentations, related pharmacology and collaborative care of asthma, selected cardiovascular disorders and diabetes mellitus. Gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and reproductive disorders will also be explored in the context of the nursing assessment and management of selected conditions during the perioperative period. During weekly clinical simulation laboratory workshops and a 160 hour workplace learning placement, students will have the opportunity to further develop their assessment skills as they perform detailed assessments of the relevant body systems (for distance education students this will involve a 4 day intensive). Students will also develop skills in the administration of intravenous therapy and parenteral medications.

Syllabus

Module 1Learning Outcomes: 3-5 Parenteral Medication Administration and Intravenous (IV) Therapy;Fluid and electrolyte balance;Routes of administration techniques, pharmacology, current best practice;Dosage calculations for parenteral medications;Nursing considerations following medication administration;IV fluid rate calculations;Commencing and ceasing IVT;Care of an intravenous cannula (IVC);Lifespan considerations; andLegal considerations, including documentation. Module 2Learning Outcomes: 1-5 Management … For more content click the Read More button below. Module 3 Learning Outcomes: 1-5 Management of the Person with Acute Coronary Syndrome;Assessment of the cardiovascular system heart, peripheral vascular system and chest pain, performing a 12 lead ECG.;Pathophysiology, risk factors and complications;Collaborative care and nursing interventions, focusing on the management of chest pain, including analgesia; andAdministering cardiac medications and related pharmacology. Module 4Learning Outcomes: 1-5. Assessment and Management of the Person with Diabetes;Assessment of the endocrine system;Pathophysiology;Acute complications hyper and hypoglycaemia;Medications for diabetes mellitus and related pharmacology;Nursing care for the hospitalised diabetic patient; andLifespan considerations. Module 5Learning Outcomes: 1-5 Assessment and Management of the Person Requiring Abdominal Surgery;Assessment of the GIT, renal and reproductive systems;Related pathophysiology and pharmacology of selected conditions;Post-operative pain assessment and management;Insertion and management of nasogastric (NG) tubes;Stoma assessment and management;Insertion and management of indwelling catheters (IDCs); andPost-operative assessment and care, including wound care and drain. Module 6Learning Outcomes: 1-5 Management of the Person Requiring Musculoskeletal Surgery;Assessment of the musculoskeletal system;Musculosketal trauma and joint replacements;Pathophysiology;Post-operative management including mobilisation and traction;Complications compartment syndrome, fat embolus;Health promotion and prevention; andLifespan considerations.

Module 1
Learning Outcomes: 3-5

Parenteral Medication Administration and Intravenous (IV) Therapy;
Fluid and electrolyte balance;
Routes of administration techniques, pharmacology, current best practice;
Dosage calculations for parenteral medications;
Nursing considerations following medication administration;
IV fluid rate calculations;
Commencing and ceasing IVT;
Care of an intravenous cannula (IVC);
Lifespan considerations; and
Legal considerations, including documentation.

Module 2
Learning Outcomes: 1-5

Management of the Person with Asthma;
Assessment of the respiratory system;
Related pathophysiology;
Typical and atypical presentations;
Collaborative care and nursing interventions;
Administering oxygen (nasal prongs & Hudson mask) and other medications related pharmacology; and
Health promotion and prevention.

Module 3
Learning Outcomes: 1-5

Management of the Person with Acute Coronary Syndrome;
Assessment of the cardiovascular system heart, peripheral vascular system and chest pain, performing a 12 lead ECG.;
Pathophysiology, risk factors and complications;
Collaborative care and nursing interventions, focusing on the management of chest pain, including analgesia; and
Administering cardiac medications and related pharmacology.

Module 4
Learning Outcomes: 1-5.

Assessment and Management of the Person with Diabetes;
Assessment of the endocrine system;
Pathophysiology;
Acute complications hyper and hypoglycaemia;
Medications for diabetes mellitus and related pharmacology;
Nursing care for the hospitalised diabetic patient; and
Lifespan considerations.

Module 5
Learning Outcomes: 1-5

Assessment and Management of the Person Requiring Abdominal Surgery;
Assessment of the GIT, renal and reproductive systems;
Related pathophysiology and pharmacology of selected conditions;
Post-operative pain assessment and management;
Insertion and management of nasogastric (NG) tubes;
Stoma assessment and management;
Insertion and management of indwelling catheters (IDCs); and
Post-operative assessment and care, including wound care and drain.

Module 6
Learning Outcomes: 1-5

Management of the Person Requiring Musculoskeletal Surgery;
Assessment of the musculoskeletal system;
Musculosketal trauma and joint replacements;
Pathophysiology;
Post-operative management including mobilisation and traction;
Complications compartment syndrome, fat embolus;
Health promotion and prevention; and
Lifespan considerations.

Enrolment restrictions

Only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Nursing course and Bachelor of Nursing - Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic).

Pre-requisite

Work integrated learning

Placement Duration 160 hours Details Students will be placed in workplaces (20 days) providing acute care to patients and clients to ensure that they have a clear understanding of this area of nursing care.

Learning activities

Intensive School

Learning resources

Additional resources required by students

Students attending compulsory intensive schools on Charles Sturt campuses will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources.

Students attending compulsory work integrated learning will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources.

Handbook