Living with Episodic Health Challenges I

The content of this course will be evidence based.  Exemplars may vary.

I.             VARIABLES

Physiological Variable

                Metabolism

                ·               alterations in endocrine function

                Oxygenation

                ·               alteration in respiratory functioning

                Exemplar:

                                pre/post-op atelectasis

                Circulation

                ·               alteration in circulatory functioning

                Exemplar:

                                DVT

                Cellular Dynamics

                ·               alterations in fluid/electrolytes, acid/base balances

                ·               alterations in responses

                ·               wound healing

                ·               immune response

                ·               cellular proliferations

                Exemplars:

                                breast cancer

                                bowel cancer

                Elimination

                ·               alteration in urological/bowel functioning

                Exemplars:

                                paralytic ileus

                                urinary output (post-op)

                Mobility

                ·               alteration in mobility

                ·               alteration in responses

                Exemplars:

                                fractures

                                osteoarthritis/osteoporosis

                                spinal column injury

                Reproduction

                ·               alteration in reproductive functioning

                Neuro-sensory

                ·               alteration in neuro-sensory functioning

                ·               CNS and peripheral

                Exemplar:

                                acute pain

                Protection

                ·               bone and tissue repair (healing of fractures, wounds)

Psychosocial Variable

                Integration

                Relatedness

                ·               health challenge

                ·               integration as organizer for the assessment of self-concept (self-esteem, self-ideal, body-
                                image, identity, sexuality), emotions (affect, mood, patterns), & cognition (thought processes,
                                insight, memory, judgment)

                ·               problem-solving in psychiatric nursing

                ·               patterns of communication

                ·               crisis theory and intervention

                Exemplars:

                                anxiety

                                addiction and abuse (substance abuse)

                                self-destructive behaviours

                                DSM-IVR (as a tool for assessment)

Cultural Variable

                ·               integration

                ·               cultural diversity into concept

                ·               continued awareness

                Exemplars:

                                continued development of cultural sensitivity

                                culture of the profession

                                community liaison links, appropriate community supports & discharge planning with
                                culturally competent teaching/learning

Spiritual Variable

                Purpose & meaning

                Interconnectedness

                Faith

                Forgiveness

                Religion

                Creativity

                Transcendence

Developmental Variable

                Growth

                Lifespan

                Transitions

II.            CURRICULAR THREADS

Health Promotion

                ·               preventive health practices related to various episodic health challenges

                ·               promoting health practices to enable the person to increase control over and improve one’s
                                own health

                ·               health promotion to allow the person to make informed choices

                Exemplar:

                                immunization

Professionalism/Caring

                ·               DCPN & College policies

                ·               professional nurse-client relationships

                ·               ethical and legal issues, advocacy & client rights

                ·               change theory

                ·               caring attributes (6 ‘C’s)

III.          RELATED PHARMACOLOGY

                ·               narcotic & non-narcotic analgesics

                ·               sedatives

                ·               hypnotics

                ·               antianxiety agents

                ·               anti-infective

                ·               antifungal

                ·               antiemetics

                ·               antihistamines

                ·               muscle relaxants

                ·               antineoplastics (intro)

                ·               anaesthetics

IV.          THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS

                ·               links with philosophy/conceptual framework and related concepts

                ·               Egan Model of communication links with nurse-client relationship as necessary

                ·               assertiveness

                ·               confrontation

                ·               introduction to problem-solving (interpersonal and situational)

                ·               introduction to advanced empathy

V.            CARING PRACTICE

                ·               calculating intravenous flow rates

                ·               regulating, monitoring and maintaining intravenous therapy

                ·               changing an intravenous bag and tubing

                ·               discontinuing an intravenous infusion device

                ·               preparation and administration of intramuscular and Z-track injections

                ·               preparation and administration of medication via the subcutaneous “butterfly” route

                ·               pre and post-operative care including ECT, surgical and diagnostic treatments

                ·               surgical asepsis

                ·               donning sterile gloves

                ·               sterile dressing change (simple)

                ·               neurovascular assessment

                ·               removing sutures/staples

                ·               maintaining and removing closed wound drainage devices

                ·               collection of urine specimen via a urinary catheter

                ·               bladder irrigation (continuous and intermittent)

                ·               application of slings and tensor bandages