92191 Adult Nursing: Cardiovascular

Subject level: Undergraduate

Handbook description

This subject contributes to the overall course aims by introducing students to nursing as a process and a skilled activity carried out by professional nurses. It focuses on adults experiencing alterations in cardiovascular function. Transition towards recovery and through rehabilitation are explored, and from this understanding, issues of preventative care are developed. Relevant psychomotor skills and skill in the exercise of clinical judgment are introduced through the use of guided clinical experiences. Case studies based on epidemiological trends in cardiovascular health and illness form the basis of the subject. The development of the relationship between the nurse and the patient include transitions through health and illness, respect for cultural identity, ethical considerations and resource availability.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. demonstrate beginning skills in nursing assessment, nursing diagnosis and nursing management for patients with alterations to cardiovascular function (ANMC competencies: 1.2; 5.1; 5.2; 5.3; 6.1; 6.2; 6.3; 7.1; 7.2; 7.3; 8.1; 8.2)
2. begin to understand the functional health patterns and how they relate to alterations in cardiovascular function (ANMC competencies: 5.1)
3. develop data collection techniques which allow for effective surveillance of the patient's health status and the ability to recognise and report significant variations (ANMC competencies: 5.2; 5.3)
4. develop a beginning awareness of the nurse's role in patient education and the promotion of patients' adherence to a specific therapeutic regimen (ANMC competencies: 7.1; 7.7)
5. understand basic infection control principles and the implications for nursing practice (ANMC competencies: 1.2; 2.2; 9.5)
6. explain and demonstrate the essential elements of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (ANMC competencies: 1.2; 2.2; 7.4; 9.4)
7. demonstrate beginning skills in manual handling (ANMC competencies: 1.2; 7.1; 9.5)
8. develop a beginning awareness of environmental health and safety principles (ANMC competencies: 1.1; 1.3; 1.2; 2.2; 7.1).

Content

• Introduction: nursing process and clinical judgment; clinical placement experience
• Data collection: framework to guide assessment, i.e. Gordon's Functional Health Patterns; basic assessment techniques for collection of objective and subjective data, i.e. taking a history; physical examination of cardiovascular function including pulse, temperature, blood pressure, apex beat, cardiac monitoring, peripheral vascular assessment, diagnostic tests; assessment of patient comfort/pain; assessing patient knowledge of treatments; documenting results Dunn (2005) cited in Brown & Edwards (Eds.). pp 33-36
• Data interpretation: cue clustering; identifying trends; identifying problems; making a nursing diagnosis
• Planning/goal setting: aims of medical and nursing care; patient/family aims; resource limitations; activity and exercise plans
• Implementation: medical care and pharmacological therapies for cardiovascular disorders and related nursing care; infection control: handwashing, standard and transmission-based (additional) precautions; escorting an ambulatory patient to shower; toileting/showering assistance for an ambulatory patient; making an unoccupied bed; assisting patient movement using manual handling skills; providing basic patient information and explanation; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); Basic Life Support (BSL); recording and reporting nursing actions
• Evaluating: assessing improvement of cardiovascular function; assessing patient knowledge of medications; nursing documentation and reporting.