PNN 621 - Life Span Health Care

• Develop knowledge and apply clinical judgement of the nursing process as it applies to the health illness continuum across the lifespan.
• Comprehend common disease processes and collaborative care along the health illness continuum for clients across various ages.
• Identify the role of the practical nurse in caring for clients with common disease processes within the healthcare setting.
• Expand upon nursing skills and communication techniques to include clients across the life span within the scope of practical nursing. 

Course Objectives:
Introduction to the Medical Surgical Patient

1. Identify the normal red blood cells values for hematocrit, white blood cells, platelets, sodium, potassium, calcium, hemoglobin and cholesterol.
2. Identify the purpose of fluids and electrolytes in the body
3. List the assessment findings and signs and symptoms of common fluid imbalances and who is at highest risk of dehydration and fluid excess.
4. Categorize common causes, signs and symptoms and treatments for sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium imbalances
5. Discuss various methods and reasons for IV fluid & IV medication.
6. Discuss the practical nursing role with IV Therapy
7. Differentiate characteristics of isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions
8. Identify common complications associated with IV therapy.
9. Calculate flow and drip rates for IV solutions.
10. Demonstrate the specific steps for discontinuing an intravenous solution
11. Identify types and phases of surgeries
12. Identify the role of the PN in preoperative and postoperative surgery
13. Demonstrate postoperative assessment and nursing interventions for surgical patients across the lifespan.
14. Identify signs and symptoms of common postoperative complications
15. List the criteria for ambulatory discharge

Mental Health

1. Define mental health and mental illness.
2. Explore the etiology of mental illnesses.
3. Identify components of a mental health assessment.
4. Discuss legal aspects involved in caring for the mentally ill.
5. Review the role of defense mechanisms.
6. Review effective and non-effective coping skills.
7. Explain the use of milieu therapy, psychotherapy and psychopharmacology in the treatment of mental illness.
8. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the mental health disorders.
9. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the mental health system throughout the lifespan.
10. Discuss essential factors when assessing a suicidal client.
11. Outline interventions that protect the safety of a suicidal client.
12. Describe nursing approaches for a client who is: manic, aggressive, paranoid.
13. Discuss significance/incidence of substance abuse disorders in the general population.
14. Identify common characteristics of the chemically dependent client.

Obstetrics

1. Review the female reproductive system.
2. Identify factors detrimental to the development of the embryo and fetus.
3. Describe the functions of the placenta, the umbilical cord, and the amniotic fluid.
4. Discuss anatomical and physiologic alterations of pregnancy.
5. Distinguish between the presumptive, probable, and positive signs of pregnancy.
6. Identify components of the antepartal assessment.
7. Explain methods used to calculate the duration of pregnancy.
8. Discuss laboratory & other diagnostic procedures used in relation to prenatal care.
9. Explain danger signals the patient should report.
10. Identify medications that can be hazardous to the growing fetus.
11. Identify the common discomforts and concerns of pregnancy and explain their preventative measures and treatments.
12. State dietary requirements of the pregnant woman.
13. Discuss the effects of caffeine, alcohol, cigarette smoking & drugs during pregnancy.
14. Review typical aspects of childbirth preparation/prenatal classes. 
15. List & define complications of pregnancy related to bleeding, hypertension, infection & Rh incompatibility.
16. Distinguish between hyperemesis gravidarum and morning sickness.
17. Define gestational diabetes.
18. Identify the signs of impending labor
19. Distinguish between true and false labor.
20. Review reasons for Cesarean birth and associated nursing care.
21. Identify the physiologic changes that occur in the postpartum period.
22. Describe postpartum assessments of the mother including pertinent observations of the perineal area, lochia flow, fundal height and breast.
23. Review common complications of the puerperium and related nursing assessments & interventions.
24. Discuss educational needs for the postpartum patient.
25. Explain the attachment process.
26. Describe nursing assessments that are essential to the newborn including vital signs, reflexes, weight, length, umbilicus and circumcision.
27. Review safety measures and prevention of infection in caring for the newborn.
28. Explain the prophylactic use of Vitamin K and Erythromycin and Hepatitis B for the neonate.
29. Discuss management of jaundice, hypothermia, hypoglycemia.

Pediatrics

1. Discuss the evolution of and changes occurring in the healthcare of children in the United States
2. Review the terms and principles of growth and development.
3. Review stages of growth and development from the prenatal period through adolescence.
4. Incorporate Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development.
5. Identify factors that influence growth and development
6. Identify developmental milestones and appropriate teaching for different age groups
7. Explain how to obtain common physical measurements: height/length, weight, head, chest, and vital signs in children
8. Identify how to perform a physical assessment in a sequence appropriate to the child’s age.
9. Recognize expected normal physical findings for children at various ages.
10. Outline nursing interventions to prevent or minimize the stress of separation anxiety, loss of control and bodily injury and pain in different age groups.
11. Identify communications strategies for communicating with children of different age groups.
12. Describe the ways that play can be incorporated into therapeutic procedures.
13. Describe feeding techniques that will encourage fluid and food intake.
14. Describe interventions and guidelines for preparing children for procedures. 
15. Describe correct procedures for the administration of oral, parenteral, rectal, optic, otic, and nasal medications to different aged children.
16. Examine the recommended schedule for immunizations of normal infants and children and relate common side effects.
17. Identify the leading cause of death and permanent injury in children.
18. List factors that contribute to child abuse and proper interventions that can be used to prevent child abuse.
19. Identify symptoms of child abuse and proper interventions when child abuse is suspected.
20. Describe symptoms, treatment, and nursing interventions for the common poisonings that occur in children.
21. State anticipatory guidance needed to prevent poisonings.

Immunity

1. Identify the infectious process
2. Discuss major concepts of drugs used to treat infections.
3. Identify appropriate nursing interventions related to the administration of medications to treat infections.
4. List some of the common adverse reactions to antibiotics including drug resistant bacteria.
5. Describe the difference between passive and active immunity.
6. Describe the difference between vaccines and toxoids.
7. Describe nursing interventions for patients with a hypersensitivity disorder.
8. Outline immediate treatment for anaphylaxis.
9. Discuss assessment and nursing treatment of an immunocompromised patient.
10. List seven warning signs of cancer.
11. Differentiate between benign and malignant neoplasms.
12. Discuss the process of diagnosis of cancer.
13. Describe the nursing interventions for the patient undergoing each: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Endocrine

1. Review the endocrine system.
2. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the thyroid.
3. Explain Myxedema.
4. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the adrenal gland.
5. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications and patient teaching for the patient receiving corticosteroids.
6. Differentiate among the various types of diabetes.
7. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to diabetes.
8. List the symptoms, implications and treatment for hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
9. Recall the proper way to prepare and administer insulin.
10. Compare insulin as to onset, peak, duration and purpose.
11. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to diabetes.
12. Describe monitoring of blood glucose and diabetic education.
13. Describe the physical problems and prevention encountered by the diabetic patient: vascular disturbances, visual problems, neuropathy, nephropathy, and infection.

Respiratory

1. Review the respiratory system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to respiratory disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify respiratory conditions.
4. List the normal parameters of arterial blood gases and identify readings that indicate an abnormal acid/base condition.
5. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the respiratory disorders.
6. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the respiratory system throughout the lifespan.

Cardiac

1. Review the cardiac system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to cardiac disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify cardiac conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the cardiac disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the cardiac system throughout the lifespan.
6. Define common dysrhythmias.
7. Review the hematological system.
8. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify hematalogical conditions
9. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the cardiac system throughout the lifespan.

Gastrointestinal

1. Review the gastrointestinal system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to gastrointestinal disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify gastrointestinal conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the gastrointestinal disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the gastrointestinal system throughout the lifespan.

Sensory

1. Review the sensory system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to sensory disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify sensory conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the sensory disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the sensory system throughout the lifespan.

Neurology

1. Review the neurological system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to neurological disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify neurological conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the neurological disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the neurological system throughout the lifespan.

Reproductive

1. Review the Female Reproductive system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to female reproductive disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify female reproductive conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the female reproductive disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the female reproductive system throughout the lifespan.
6. Review the Male Reproductive system.
7. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to male reproductive disorders.
8. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify male reproductive conditions.
9. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the male reproductive disorders.
10. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the male reproductive system throughout the lifespan.
11. Explain maintaining a three way catheter.

Renal

1. Review the urinary system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to urinary disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify urinary conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the urinary disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the urinary system throughout the lifespan.

Musculoskeletal

1. Review the musculoskeletal system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to musculoskeletal disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify musculoskeletal conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the musculoskeletal disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the musculoskeletal system throughout the lifespan.

Integumentary

1. Review the integumentary system.
2. List nursing assessments and intervention activities appropriate for the care of patients experiencing symptoms related to integumentary disorders.
3. List and explain common diagnostic tests and nursing considerations used to identify integumentary conditions.
4. State the action, uses, major side effects, and nursing implications for the patient receiving medications pertinent to the integumentary disorders.
5. Identify etiology, clinical manifestations, assessment, diagnostic test, medical management, nursing interventions, and patient teaching pertinent to specific disorders of the integumentary system throughout the lifespan.