NRS546 Clinical Management of Older People (16)

Students will develop advanced clinical knowledge and skills in the care of older people. Comprehensive health assessment and person-centred decision making principles will underpin learning in this subject. Students will learn and practice comprehensive geriatric assessments that will include assessments and tools for evaluation of functional ability, cognition, mental health and physical health. Students undertaking this subject will be working in a clinical setting where they will negotiate mentoring from a suitably qualified health professional to achieve their learning outcomes. A collaborative competency based learning contract will be developed in consultation with the subject coordinator and the clinical mentor. Students will be required to attend a two day Residential School for this subject.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2021.

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

Students enrolled in the Master of Clinical Nursing (Nurse Practitioner). Not available to international students

Assumed Knowledge

Undergraduate health assessment and professional nursing exprience at an advanced level.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to competently perform and document a full comprehensive geriatric assessment
  • be able to compare and contrast screening and assessment tools for physical function, mental health, cognitive function and health and well being
  • be able to identify different aetiology of cognitive impairment types and discuss the differentiating characteristics and pathophysiology of each type
  • be able to identify and appraise assessment and clinical decision making principles in gerontology and geriatrics and a palliative approach to care
  • be able to identify older adult care emergencies and initiate therapeutic interventions
  • be able to identify and analyse the pathophysiology and treatment of common older adult conditions such as depression, delirium and dementia, incontinence, falls, weight loss, fractures, pain and constipation and common diseases such as Parkinson's disease, congestive heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and others
  • be able to identify, analyse and acknowledge cultural and social factors affecting older adult care
  • be able to competently discuss advanced care planning wishes with older people and describe legal and ethical considerations regarding mental capacity, autonomy, duty of care and Enduring Power of Attorney designation

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • comprehensive geriatric assessment: cognition assessment and delirium screening; mental health assessment (emphasising depression assessment); mobility and falls risk assessment; continence assessment; nutrition and hydration assessment; pain assessment; sleep assessment.
  • cognitive assessment: identify types and pathophysiology of dementia; discuss cognitive evaluation tools; competently complete a cognitive evaluation.
  • assessment of common conditions in older people: initiation and interpretation of diagnostic procedures and pharmacology; clinical decision making and person-centred decision making.
  • evidence based practice in older adult care: the involvement and application of research to practice; scholarly involvement to disseminate, present and publish work.
  • development of a collaborative learning contract and professional portfolio
  • older adult care emergencies
  • identification of care stress and supporting families and carers
  • cultural and social factors affecting care
  • palliative approach to care, advanced care planning and end of life decisions

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 5 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Students will be mentored in their clinical practice for 40 hours (5 days) by an experienced advanced practice Registered Nurse. A collaborative competency based learning contract will be developed. A two day residential school will support the learning in this subject.

Residential School

This subject contains a 2 day Compulsory Residential School.

Case based learning and student presentations will occur at the residential school.  Students will be exposed to clinicians currently practicing in older adult care who will participate in teaching at the residential school.
 

Special Resources

Students will be required to attend a two Residential School for this subject.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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