Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for NRS 222 Winter 2025


Course Number:
NRS 222
Course Title:
Acute Care II
Credit Hours:
9
Lecture Hours:
50
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
120

Course Description

Focuses on more complex and/or unstable patient care conditions, some of which may result in death. Covers patient care conditions which require quick attention and rapid decision making skills. Uses evidence-based research to support appropriate focused assessments, and effective and efficient nursing interventions. Addresses how life span and developmental factors, cultural variables, and legal aspects of care frame the ethical decision-making process employed in patient choices for treatment or palliative care for disorders with an acute trajectory. Incorporates case scenarios which prioritize care needs, delegation and supervision, and family and patient teaching for either discharge planning or end-of-life care. Exemplars include acute conditions affecting multiple body systems. Prerequisites: NRS 221.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:


1. Conduct an evidence-based assessment, using age, and developmentally and culturally appropriate communication skills by:

  • Comparing (monitoring) a variety of data, accurately interpreting obvious deviations from expected patterns in increasing complex acute conditions; and applying to specific patient situations (e.g. comorbidities, complications, high-risk pregnancies, acute psychosis, life threatening situations, end of life, diverse health beliefs).
  • Identifying potential problems and rapidly changing physiologic and behavioral situations.
  • Distinguishing pathophysiological changes and symptoms experienced by the patient which are associated with life threatening or end-of-life process.
  • Regularly monitoring patient’s level of comfort and ability to manage symptoms and symptom distress.
  • Assessing patient and family’s response during patient's illness and/or end-of-life situation.
  • Formulating impact of individual development, as well as family development and dynamics on physiologic and behavioral status.

2. Develop and use evidence-based, individualized, developmentally appropriate interventions that are dynamic and based on changing needs of patient and family.

3. Collaborate with healthcare team members to provide comfort and symptom management.

4. Develop discharge plans in collaboration with patient, family, healthcare team members, and service providing agencies.

5. Reflect on experiences in caring for patients with acute conditions.

Course Activities and Design

Discussion groups

Required Readings
Clinical evaluation
Project/Papers
Multiple choice exams
Lab performance evaluation

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Clinical performance evaluation

Papers/Project Rubrics
Multiple choice exams
Lab performance evaluation

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes, Concepts & Issues:

Clinical Judgment Model

Care coordination

Communication

Symptom Management

Advocacy

Teaching

Evidence-based best practices

Skills: This is not an exhaustive list but is a minimum skill set to be completed anytime throughout  NRS 221, NRS 222 or NRS 224

Intravenous Therapy and Regulation: Central lines

Central Line Intermittent IV Therapy via Secondary Infusion (piggyback)

PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pump

 Central Venous Access Devices

 Peripheral IV Direct Medications (IV push)

TPN administration and maintenance

Blood Administration

Chest Tube Maintenance

Telemetry: Cardiac Dysrhythmias  

Tracheostomy Care

Tracheostomy Suctioning

Post Mortem Care

Epidural maintenance (classroom theory)

Ventilator/ETT (classroom theory)

Code Roles

Code

Chronic Pain Advanced Interventions

Advanced Wound Care