Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 General Catalog 
    
2023-2024 General Catalog
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ADN 511 - Adult Health Care


Last Date of Approval: Spring 2021

8.5 Credits
Total Lecture Hours: 127.5
Total Lab Hours: 0
Total Clinical Hours: 0
Total Work-Based Experience Hours: 0

Course Description:
This theory course is a requirement with ADN 512 Clinical Practicum 5  for the associate degree nursing program. This course utilizes the nursing process to care for acute and chronically ill adults. It expands on critical thinking and knowledge previously obtained during practical nursing coursework regarding principles of holistic nursing care during the adult life span. Emphasis is placed on comprehensive nursing care interventions needed for complex health problems. This course will prepare the student with theoretical nursing knowledge needed for entry level associate degree nursing practice. This course will also prepare the student for national examination for nursing licensure.  

Corequisites: ADN 512 - Clinical Practicum 5
Prerequisites: PNN 621 - Life Span Health Care  and PNN 622 - Clinical Practicum 2  
Mode(s) of Instruction: traditional/face-to-face

Credit for Prior Learning: There are no Credit for Prior Learning opportunities for this course.

Course Fees: None

Common Course Assessment(s): (Ongoing) Quizzes, homework. (Summative) Unit exams, comprehensive final exam, completion of nonproctored ATI assessment and completion of proctored ATI assessment.

Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives:
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Utilize critical thinking skills in applying the nursing process to the adult
patient with more complex health-illness concerns.
2. Plan the adaption of basic nursing skills to the adult patient with more
complex health-illness concerns.
3. Prioritize basic human needs for the adult patient with more complex
health-illness concerns.
4. Determine the values, attributes, behaviors, ethics, and legal obligations
appropriate to the practice of nursing in the complex adult health setting.
5. Expand the knowledge of nursing skills in planning care for the adult with
common or more complex health concerns.
6. Expand the theory base of health-illness in planning nursing care for
adults with more complex problems along the health-illness continuum.
7. Expand knowledge of communication to select appropriate responses and
teaching strategies in interacting with adults having common or complex health situations.

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of Adult Health Care, the nursing student shall demonstrate the following competencies, in addition to the competencies in Fundamentals of Nursing and Lifespan Health Care:
UNIT ONE: INTRODUCTON
A. 1. Discuss the incorporation of evidence-based practices into medical surgical nursing.
 2. Describe the role of interprofessional collaboration and teamwork in the provision of safe, quality patient care.
B. 1. Review basic concepts related to fluid and electrolyte balance.
 2. Describe the role of endocrine, renal, and respiratory systems in the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance.
 3. Explain the significance of osmolality, osmolarity, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and urine specific gravity related to fluid and electrolyte balance.
4. Discuss changes in fluid and electrolyte balance with aging.
5. Describe the pathophysiology, clinical presentations, and management of
dehydration, hypovolemia, and hypervolemia.
 6. Identify laboratory data and clinical manifestations related to disorders in sodium balance, chloride balance, potassium balance, and calcium balance.
C. 1. Describe the significance of acid-base balance for normal function.
 2. State the steps for arterial blood gas interpretation.
 3. Explain the meaning of compensation.
 4. Compare and contrast major acid-base disorders.
 5. Describe the role of the respiratory and renal systems in acid-base balance.
 6. Explain nursing considerations related to patients with acid-base disorders.
D. 1. Discuss reasons patients require infusion therapy.
 2. Describe the characteristics of common IV solutions.
 3. Compare peripheral and central venous access including indications, access devices, and potential complications.
 4. Describe the equipment used to provide infusion therapy.
 5. Calculate rates of IV infusions accurately.
 6. Discuss the initiation and discontinuance of IV therapy.
UNIT II: IMMUNE
A. 1. Discuss the function of the immune system.
 2. Assess client immune function.
3. Identify relevant diagnostic examinations related to the assessment of immune function.
4. Discuss changes in immune function associated with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of lupus erythematosus.
 2. Describe diagnostic results used to confirm the diagnosis of lupus erythematosus.
 3. Discuss medical management and nursing interventions of lupus erythematosus.
C. 1. Identify the client at risk for multidrug-resistant organisms.
 2. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of: methicillinresistant staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and clostridium difficile.
 3. Describe diagnostic test results used to confirm the diagnosis of infectious
disorders.
 4. Discuss medical management and nursing interventions of infectious disorders. 
D. 1. Review the etiology and pathophysiology of human immunodeficiency virus infection and AIDS.
 2. Determine populations at risk for HIV.
 3. Predict the clinical course of an HIV infection.
 4. Identify specific criteria for clients with AIDS.
 5. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care including pharmacological, dietary, and lifestyle considerations for clients with HIV disease.
UNIT III: CANCER
A. 1. Explain the pathophysiology of cancer cells.
 2. Compare and contrast benign vs. malignant tumors.
 3. Describe vital diagnostic and preventive measures for the oncology client.
 4. Identify treatment options for oncology patients.
 5. Analyze nursing care for the oncology patient.
6. Developing teaching and support strategies for the oncology client and family.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of hematological disorders.
 2. Describe the diagnostics results used to confirm disorders of the hematological system.
 3. Discuss medical management of hematological disorders.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with hematological disorders.
UNIT IV: CARDIAC 1
A. 1. Review anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.
 2. Assess the client with a cardiovascular dysfunction.
 3. Discuss changes in cardiovascular function related to aging.
4. Describe reasons and nursing implications of diagnostic studies for the cardiac system.
5. Identify the waveform of a normal sinus rhythm.
6. Recognize common dysrhythmia waveforms.
7. Analyze the appropriate intervention for each dysrhythmia.
8. Differentiate the use of cardioversion from defibrillation.
9. Design an effective patient teaching plan for a client experiencing atrial
fibrillation.
B. 1. Review the mechanisms involved in the regulation of blood pressure.
 2. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of hypertension.
 3. Discuss medical management of hypertension.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with vascular disorders.
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of vascular disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of vascular disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with vascular disorders.
UNIT V: CARDIAC II
A. 1. Describe the epidemiology of cardiac disorders.
 2. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of cardiac disorders.
 3. Discuss medical management of cardiac disorders.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with cardiac disorders.
B. 1. Describe the indications and nursing implications for hemodynamic monitoring.
 2. Define preload, afterload, and contractility.
 3. Correlate clinical manifestations to the underlying pathophysiology of myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, and cardiogenic shock.

 4. Explain rationales for medical interventions in the treatment of critically ill clients with cardiovascular dysfunction.
 5. Analyze nursing management of patients who are critically ill with cardiovascular dysfunction.
 6. Develop a teaching plan for critically ill clients who have had a myocardial
infarction, cardiogenic shock, or who have cardiomyopathy.
C. 1. Discuss the pathophysiology of shock.
 2. Identify hypovolemic, cardiogenic, obstructive, and distributive shock.
 3. Describe the stages of shock.
 4. Describe assessment and monitoring techniques for shock.
 5. Compare and contrast clinical manifestations of the different types of shock.
 6. Describe medical management of selected shock stages.
7. Analyze nursing management of selected shock stages.
8. Discuss the complications associated with shock including disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
UNIT VI: ENDOCRINE
A. 1. Discuss the actions of hormones excreted by endocrine glands.
 2. Assess the adult client for endocrine problems.
 3. Correlate diagnostic examinations to endocrine function and explain nursing considerations for each.
 4. Discuss changes in endocrine function associated with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of pituitary disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of pituitary disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of care for clients with pituitary disorders.
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of adrenal disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of adrenal disorders.
 3. Explain the presentation and management of adrenal crisis.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of care for clients with adrenal disorders.
D. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of thyroid and parathyroid disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of thyroid and parathyroid disorders
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of care for clients with thyroid and parathyroid disorders.
E. 1. Discuss the epidemiology of diabetes mellitus.
 2. Describe the pathophysiology of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
 3. Correlate clinical manifestations of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus to the pathophysiology of each disorder
 4. Describe the diagnostic studies used to diagnose and monitor diabetes mellitus.
 5. Compare indications, administration, actions, and nursing considerations for insulin and oral hypoglycemia agents.
 6. Explain complications associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
 7. Design a comprehensive plan of care for clients with diabetes mellitus.
UNIT VII: RESPIRATORY
A. 1. Review the function of the respiratory tract.
 2. Assess the adult client for respiratory problems.
3. Identify relevant diagnostic examinations for respiratory function and explain nursing considerations for each.
4. Determine blood gas parameters affected by
 changes in the respiratory system.
5. Discuss changes in respiratory function associated with aging.
B. 1. Review concepts of oxygenation.
 2. Discuss indications for oxygen therapy.
 3. Select appropriate methods of oxygen delivery.
 4. Identify complications of oxygen administration.
 5. Plan teaching for the patient on oxygen therapy.
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of infectious respiratory disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of infectious respiratory disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with infectious
respiratory disorders.
D. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of upper airway disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of upper airway disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with upper airway disorders.
E. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of lower airway disorders.
2. Discuss medical management of lower airway disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with lower airway disorders.
F. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to
 pathophysiological processes of critically ill clients with respiratory dysfunction.
2. Discuss medical management of critically ill clients with respiratory dysfunction.
3. Describe indications, management, and complications associated with mechanical ventilation of critically ill clients. 
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for critically ill clients with
respiratory dysfunction.
UNIT VIII: NEUROLOGICAL
A. 1. Assess the adult client for neurologic problems.
 2. Correlate relevant diagnostic examinations to neurological function and explain nursing considerations for each diagnostic examination.
 3. Predict the diagnostic tests used to assess a specific
 neurologic disorder.
 4. Discuss changes in neurological function associated with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of brain disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of brain disorders.
 3. Compare and contrast meningitis and encephalitis
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with brain disorders.
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of spinal cord disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of spinal cord disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with spinal cord disorders.
D. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological process of peripheral
nervous system disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of selected disorders of the peripheral nervous system.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with peripheral nervous system.
E. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathological processes of neurologic dysfunction in critically ill clients.
 2. Describe indications and nursing implications for ICP monitoring in the critically ill client.
 3. Discuss the nursing management of clients with increased ICP, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurogenic shock.
 4. Develop a comprehensive nursing plan of care for critically ill clients with
neurological dysfunction.
UNIT IX: URINARY
A. 1. Discuss the function of the renal and urinary systems.
 2. Assess the adult client with renal or urinary problems.
 3. Correlate relevant diagnostic examinations to renal and urinary system function and explain nursing considerations for each.
 4. Discuss changes in renal and urinary system function associated with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiologic processes of urinary tract infections, urolithiasis, incontinence, and prostate enlargement.
 2. Discuss medical management of urinary disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with urinary disorders. 
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of renal disorders.
 2. Discuss the medical management of renal disorders.
 3. Compare and contrast acute and chronic renal failure.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with renal disorders.
 5. Describe indications, management, and complications associated with renal replacement therapies.
 6. Describe the indications, management, and complications associated with renal transplantation.
UNIT X: SENSORY
A. 1. Explain the pathophysiological processes of visual disorders.
 2. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of visual
disorders.
 3. Discuss medical management of selected eye disorders.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with eye disorders.
B. 1. Identify ototoxic medications.
 2. Discuss changes in hearing associated with aging.
 3. Describe methods to prevent ear trauma.
C. 1. Explain the pathophysiological process of hearing disorders.
 2. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of hearing disorders.
 3. Discuss medical management of selected disorders of the ear.
 4. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with ear disorders.
UNIT XI: MUSCULOSKELETAL
A. 1. Review function of the musculoskeletal system.
 2. Assess the adult client with musculoskeletal problems.
 3. Correlate relevant diagnostic examinations to musculoskeletal function and explain nursing considerations for each.
 4. Identify changes in musculoskeletal function associated with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of
musculoskeletal disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of musculoskeletal disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with musculoskeletal disorders.
C. 1. Identify clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of musculoskeletal trauma.
 2. Explain the effective medical management of musculoskeletal trauma.
1. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with musculoskeletal trauma.
D. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of connective tissue disorders.
 2. Describe diagnostic results used to confirm the diagnosis of connective tissue disorders. 
 3. Discuss the medical management of connective tissue disorders.
1. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with connective tissue disorders.
UNIT XII: GASTROINTESTINAL 1
A. 1. Assess the adult client with gastrointestinal problems.
 2. Correlate relevant diagnostic examinations to gastrointestinal function and explain nursing considerations for each.
 3. Discuss changes in gastrointestinal function associated with aging.
B. 1. Differentiate between enteral and peripheral total parenteral nutrition
administration including the indications for use and complications.
 2. Compare the nursing management between enteral and peripheral total parenteral nutrition.
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of oral and esophageal disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of oral and esophageal disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with oral and esophageal disorders.
D. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of peptic ulcer disease.
 2. Discuss medical management of peptic ulcer disease.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with peptic ulcer
disease.
E. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of intestinal disorders.
 2. Differentiate between the various mechanisms involved with intestinal obstruction.
 3. Design care for the patient with intestinal obstruction.
 4. Compare and contrast decompression tubes.
 5. Discuss medical management of intestinal disorders.
 6. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with intestinal disorders.
UNIT XIII: GASTROINTESTINAL II
A. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of hepatic disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of hepatic disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with hepatic disorders.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of biliary and pancreatic disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of biliary and pancreatic disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with biliary and
pancreatic disorders. 
UNIT XIV: INTEGUMENTARY
A. 1. Assess the adult client with integumentary problems.
 2. Correlate relevant diagnostic examinations to integumentary function and explain nursing considerations for each.
 3. Discuss changes in integumentary appearance and function with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of skin disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of skin disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with skin disorders.
C. 1. Explain the pathophysiological processes associated with burn injuries.
 2. Describe classifications of burn injuries.
 3. Correlate the pathophysiological changes to clinical manifestations seen in clients with burns.
 4. Explain the medical and surgical management of clients with burn injuries.
 5. Develop a comprehensive plan of care for clients with burn injuries.
UNIT XV: REPRODUCTIVE
A. 1. Correlate relevant diagnostic examinations to reproductive function
 2. Discuss changes in reproductive function associated with aging.
B. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of female reproductive disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of female reproductive disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with reproductive disorders.
C. 1. Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of male reproductive disorders.
 2. Discuss medical management of male reproductive disorders.
 3. Develop a comprehensive plan of nursing care for clients with reproductive disorders. 



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