92902 Care of the Acutely Ill Child

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject advances students' theoretical knowledge to that required for specialist paediatric nursing practice when children with complex health breakdown states require nursing care. Nursing knowledge is applied to the management of infants, children and adolescents in complex health breakdown states. Children's pain and its management are examined and the place of technology in paediatric nursing practice is explored. The development of policy and standards of practice for acutely ill children are considered and nursing approaches to death and dying, loss and grief issues are evaluated.

Subject objectives/outcomes

This subject aims to expand the knowledge base for paediatric nursing practice through study of the scientific explanations for complex health breakdown states in children with acute illness. Further, the subject aims to expand the knowledge base for paediatric nursing practice through study of specialist nursing care of children with acute illness.

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

1. analyse the complex health breakdown of health in infants, children and adolescents
2. demonstrate an understanding of the relevant pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis and therapies in complex health breakdown states
3. incorporate principles of growth and development when caring for children with complex health breakdown states
4. analyse the principles of nursing care for infants, children and adolescents with complex health breakdown states
5. evaluate the application of technology in the therapeutic management of infants, children and adolescents
6. examine the development and implementation of policy and standards in paediatric health and nursing services, and identify the impact of evidence-based practice on the development and improvement of standards for paediatric nursing practice
7. evaluate paediatric nursing practice in relation to the loss and grief experience of children, families and colleagues
8. consider the needs of families when their child is acutely ill, hospitalised, or has an acute mental health problem
9. evaluate the development of paediatric nursing as a specialty and the current models of paediatric nursing practice, and consider the complexities of paediatric nurse recruitment and retention
10. develop a proactive stance towards child safety issues.

Content

This subject covers a range of topics and issues relevant for paediatric nurses to meet the developmental, physiological and behavioural needs of acutely ill infants / children / adolescents and their families in the health care system. This includes breakdown of health across body systems, mental health issues, aetiology and management of acute illness and the effects of health breakdown on parents and families.