NRS 222A Nursing in Acute Care II and End-of-Life

This course builds on Nursing in Acute Care I, focusing on more complex and/or unstable patient care situations, some of which require strong recognitional skills, rapid decision making, and some of which may result in death. The evidence base supporting appropriate focused assessments, and effective efficient nursing interventions is explored. Life span and developmental factors, cultural variables, and legal aspects of care frame the ethical decision-making employed in patient choices for treatment or palliative care within the acute care setting. Case scenarios incorporate prioritizing care needs, delegation and supervision, family and patient teaching for discharge planning or end-of-life care. Exemplars include acute psychiatric disorders, pregnancy-related complications, as well as acute conditions affecting multiple body systems.

Credits

4

Prerequisite

NRS 221A and NRS 221B and admission into the Nursing Program  

Corequisite

NRS 222B 

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.Conduct evidence-based assessment, using age, developmental and culturally appropriate communication skills, specifically:
a. Monitors a variety of data and accurately interprets obvious deviations from expected patterns in increasingly complex acute conditions (e.g. co-morbidities, complications, high-risk pregnancies, life-threatening, diverse health beliefs)
b. Recognize potential problems and rapidly changing physiologic and behavioral situations
c. Recognizes pathophysiological changes and symptoms experienced by the client, which are associated with the dying process
d. Regularly monitors client’s level of comfort and ability to manage symptoms and symptom distress