92919 Complex Critical Care

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

This subject develops the knowledge and understanding of critical care nursing practice in relation to the management of critically ill patients with complex, interdependent disorders requiring emergency and critical care interventions. The issues of loss and grief for patients, their families and critical care staff are explored.

Subject objectives/outcomes

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

1. demonstrate high levels of clinical competence in the critical care setting, using a sound theoretical base and appropriate clinical judgment
2. effectively plan and deliver care for patients with complex critical illness associated with interdependent life-threatening problems
3. use effective and culturally sensitive interpersonal skills to interact positively with patients, families/significant others and colleagues
4. understand the processes of loss and grief and how nursing practice can be responsive to these processes in the critical care environment
5. determine, prioritise and justify clinical decisions using the best available evidence
6. evaluate the metabolic and nutritional demands of critically ill patients, and develop and implement a plan of care to meet those needs
7. demonstrate effective holistic patient care and collaborative practice as a member of the multidisciplinary team
8. function as an integral member of the critical care team and demonstrate professional development, tolerance and integrity.

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject assists students to progress to a more advanced understanding of the care of patients with severe and complex critical illnesses and to apply this understanding to their nursing practice. The subject builds on Fundamentals of Critical Care, students' clinical nursing experience and their knowledge of the pathophysiology of critical illness.

Content

Subject content focuses on patient case scenarios and is taught using the following framework to support a holistic model of care:

• aetiology
• presenting symptomatology
• linking pathophysiology
• nursing assessment, diagnosis and management
• role of the critical care nursing and interdisciplinary team
• loss and grief
• psychosocial aspects.

Scenarios include acute cardiovascular emergencies, cardiovascular surgery, emergency nursing, acute burn injury, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multi-organ dysfunction syndrome, psychiatric and diabetic emergencies and complex neurological disorders.