It is the intent of the faculty to facilitate student learning, foster ways of knowing, and promote critical thought through a variety of teaching/learning methods including: lecture, laboratory, demonstration and return demonstration, group discussion, role-playing, case study analysis, computer assisted learning programs, audio visual aids, and group or individual research and presentation.
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
In this course the student will use the Psychiatric Nursing curricular threads (professionalism, health promotion, and caring), concepts (crisis, comfort, hope, loss, power, resiliency, integrity) and variables (psychosocial, physiological, cultural, spiritual, developmental) to integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes related to nursing theory, therapeutic relationships, caring practice and pharmacological interventions when caring for the person experiencing episodic health challenges.
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College evaluation policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course.
This is a graded course.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
A list of required and optional textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of each semester.