NRS277 Clinical Reasoning in Nursing 3 (8)

This subject continues to build on the concepts and skills introduced in Clinical Reasoning 1 and 2 (NRS 163 and NRS174) to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to promote safety, healing, caring in practice, and the use of clinical reasoning to aid clinical decision making.  There is a focus on the comprehensive assessment of the neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems, along with the planning, prioritisation and implementation of nursing interventions to manage health challenges related to these body systems across the lifespan.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2020.

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Nursing, Midwifery and Indigenous Health

Enrolment Restrictions

Bachelor of Nursing
 

Prerequisites

( NRS173 and NRS174 ) or ( NRS122 and NRS123 )

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to apply selected techniques and frameworks to assess the neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine systems in a simulated environment;
  • be able to identify and demonstrate selected evidence-based nursing interventions to ensure safety, in the administration of peripheral intravenous medications and fluids in a simulated environment;
  • be able to identify and demonstrate selected evidence-based nursing interventions to promote safety, healing and caring in practice in the management of neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrine health challenges in a simulated environment;
  • be able to apply the Clinical Reasoning Cycle to aid clinical decision-making and problem-solving in clinical and simulated scenarios and;
  • be able to document assessment findings and appropriate nursing care in accordance with legal and professional requirements.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • MODULE 1: PERIPHERAL IV MEDICATIONS & FLUIDS (WEEK 1)
  • This module introduces students to the principles and practice of intravenous (IV) medications and intravenous (IV) fluids, including:
  • Assessment and management of peripheral IV access;
  • Calculations of fluid administration rates and medication dosage;
  • Techniques for the safe administration of IV fluids; and
  • Techniques for the safe administration of IV medications.
  • MODULE 2: NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND CARE (WEEK 2)
  • This module introduces students to the principles and practice of neurological assessment and care, including:
  • Glasgow Coma Scale (CGS);
  • Cranial nerve assessment;
  • Spinal precautions; and
  • Log rolling.
  • MODULE 3: CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT AND CARE (WEEKS 3 AND 4)
  • This module introduces students to the principles and practice of cardiovascular assessment and care, including:
  • Review of vital signs;
  • Assessment of fluid status;
  • Chest pain assessment;
  • 12 lead ECG;
  • Neurovascular assessment;
  • Introduction to heart sounds and;
  • Interventions for the management of chest pain.
  • MODULE 4: RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT AND CARE (WEEKS 5 AND 6)
  • This module introduces students to the principles and practice of respiratory assessment and care, including:
  • Focused Respiratory assessment including work of breathing and basic lung sound;
  • Interventions for the management of shortness of breath including oxygen and positioning and;
  • Safe administration of inhalational medications.
  • MODULE 5: ENDOCRINE ASSESSMENT AND CARE OF THE PERSON WITH DIABETES MELLITUS (WEEK 7)
  • This module introduces students to the principles and practice of diabetes mellitus assessment and card, including:
  • Focused endocrine assessment including review of Blood Glucose Level (BGL) assessment;
  • Assessment and management of hypoglycaemia;
  • Safe administration of oral hypoglycaemics and;
  • Safe administration of insulin therapy - including insulin infusions.
  • MAJOR SIMULATIONS:
  • Major Simulation 1 - Assessment and Initial Management of Chest Pain (Week 4) and;
  • Major Simulation 2 - Assessment and Initial Management of Shortness of Breath (Week 6).

Residential School

This subject contains a 3 day Compulsory Residential School.

At the compulsory residential school, students will undertake simulation learning experiences in the simulation spaces, which may be permanent nursing labs on each campus and/or other simulation learning spaces that replicate where nurses may work.


Each of the clinical case studies or health-related scenarios used to support the simulation learning experiences will focus on the role as a nurse. While there are times that there is consideration of the multidisciplinary team in the scenarios, the focus will be on nursing and the nursing interventions implemented to care for or support the patient.
There are many different simulation approaches used in the SNMIH, including peer-to-peer, task trainers, role playing, human patient simulators, actors and computer-based simulation.
Students may find the clinical case study or health-related scenario, used as part of the simulation learning experience, includes a hybrid approach that includes the lecturer / facilitator employs more than one type of simulation. To complete the whole scenario, students may move from one learning station to the next to finish the scenario

Special Resources

Students attending compulsory residential schools on Charles Sturt University campuses will incur costs associated with travel, accommodation and required resources (minimum: lab coat, safety glasses and covered footwear for lab-based practicals).

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: October 2020. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

Back