Essentials of Paramedicine: Medical Emergencies

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Abstract

This subject builds on students’ previous knowledge and experience to integrate their understanding of pathophysiology with patient assessment and history findings to identify potential differential diagnoses and formulate a working diagnosis for patients with acute medical emergencies. Students will propose ethical and culturally safe, evidenced-based paramedic treatment plans that are supported by the use of clinical practice guidelines. This subject also focuses on clinical decision-making, interprofessional communication and the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) guidelines to recognise and respond to deteriorating patients, preventing and controlling infections and communicating for safety.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics: Pathophysiology, history taking and physical assessment for a patient who has an acute medical complaint;Differential diagnosis, treatment and management of medical conditions will include those involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and neurological systems;Differential diagnoses relevant to acute medical emergencies, identifying a working … For more content click the Read More button below.

This subject will cover the following topics:

Pathophysiology, history taking and physical assessment for a patient who has an acute medical complaint;
Differential diagnosis, treatment and management of medical conditions will include those involving the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and neurological systems;
Differential diagnoses relevant to acute medical emergencies, identifying a working differential diagnosis and planning evidence-based care and treatments;
Use of clinical practice guidelines as foundational tools for paramedic practice;
Application of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) guidelines
Clinical decision-making and risk assessment; and
Clinical leadership, cultural sensitivity, scene assessment, patient handover and interprofessional communication in the context of paramedic practice.

Assessment items

1. Medical Case Review One

2. Medical Case Review Two

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

apply a knowledge of pathophysiology and aetiology (characteristics and consequences) of acute medical emergencies in the out of hospital environment;

analyse management guidelines of acute medical emergencies and develop evidence based treatments plans for the out of hospital environment;

evaluate complex data from patient and technologically-derived sources (e.g. point of care) to inform decision making about clinical care in acute medical emergencies;

apply ethical and culturally safe care to adult patients experiencing an acute medical emergency in the out of hospital environment; and

apply the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) standards, recognising and responding to acute deterioration, preventing and controlling infections, and communicating for safety standards, to safely and effectively manage patients;

apply the principles of interprofessionalism in the out of hospital environment

Assumed knowledge

Knowledge and skills related to being a registered nurse.

Enrolment restrictions

Only available to students enrolled in Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedicine) or Graduate Diploma of Clinical Practice (Paramedic).