NRS552 Diagnostic Reasoning 2 (8)

This is the second of two diagnostic reasoning subjects. In this subject, students will synthesise advanced assessment, pharmacology and pathophysiology knowledge from pre-requisite subjects and develop differential diagnoses skills needed for advanced nursing practice (Nurse Practitioner). The subject will focus on the clinical presentation of neurology and musculosketal, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. Students will practise performing comprehensive health assessments and develop appropriate treatment plans under the supervision of a registered prescriber (Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Medical Practitioner if no NP is available). The subject includes a clinical practicum component under the supervision of a prescribing Nurse Practitioner or medical practitioner for 80 hours. Students will attend a two day residential school in this subject.

No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2022.

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, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

The Master of Clinical Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)

Not available to international students.

Prerequisites

BMS511 and BMS536 and NRS532

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • Demonstrate proficiency in performing a focused health assessment that is pertinent to the presenting problems and conditions of a patient.
  • Perform a patient risk assessment which takes into consideration life circumstances and cultural, ethnic and developmental variations.
  • Differentiate normal physiological alterations from pathological findings.
  • Utilise the diagnostic reasoning process in the selection and interpretation of appropriate screening and diagnostic tests.
  • Develop an evidence-based and safe treatment plan and medication prescribing plan.
  • Critically apply a comprehensive knowledge of pharmacology and pharmacokinetics related to the nurse practitioner scope of practice.
  • Safely prescribes indicated non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using a SOAPE format to document clinical assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment and medication plan.
  • Monitors, evaluates and documents practice to identify gaps in the provision of care and/or services.
  • Articulates and promotes the nurse practitioner role in clinical, political and professional contexts.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Module 1: Diagnostic Reasoning for Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Issues. This module will assist students in diagnostic reasoning for acute and chronic neurologic and musculoskeletal issues, including review of pathophysiology, assessment and prescribing of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for common neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. This will include cardiac differential diagnoses, appropriate use of imaging, and related laboratory testing.
  • Module 2: Diagnostic Reasoning for Gastrointestinal Issues. This module will assist students to diagnostic reasoning for acute and chronic gastrointestinal issues, including review of pathophysiology, assessment and prescribing of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for common gastrointestinal conditions. This will include common gastrointestinal differential diagnoses, imaging and gastrointestinal related laboratory testing.
  • Module 3: Diagnostic Reasoning for Genitourinary Issues. This module will assist students to diagnostic reasoning for acute and chronic genitourinary issues, including review of pathophysiology, assessment and prescribing of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions of common genitourinary issues. A review of common genitourinary differential diagnoses, clinical tests, imaging and genitourinary related laboratory testing will be included.
  • Professional Experience. Professional experience will be under the supervision of a prescribing nurse practitioner or medical practitioner for 80 hours. This experience must allow the registered nurse to see patients under supervision, formulate differential diagnoses and formulate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment plans and present patient cases, in real time to their professional experience supervisor for advice, guidance and confirmation. This experience is designed to be outside normal nursing working hours unless the nurse is in a NP transition role. The student will discuss with the academic mentor the logistics of this professional experience. A professional experienced supervisor will be identified by the student and the academic mentor will liaise with them to explain the professional supervision requirements, review the Professional Experience Supervisor Guidelines and the objectives of the professional experience.

Workplace Learning

This subject contains a 10 days Compulsory Workplace Learning component.

Students will be mentored in their clinical practice for 80 hours (10 days) by an experienced Nurse Practitioner and physician where necessary. They will be required to develop a collaborative competency based learning contract. A two day residential school will support their learning process.

The professional experience must allow the nurse to see patients under supervision, formulate differential diagnoses, formulate treatment plans and present patient cases (in real time) to the Professional Experience Supervisor for advice and guidance confirmation. This experience is outside normal nursing working hours unless the nurse is in a Nurse Practitioner transition role.

The student will discuss with the Academic Mentor the logistics of this professional experience. A Professional Experience Supervisor will liaise with the Academic Mentor to explain the professional experience supervision requirements, review the Professional Experience Supervisor Handbook and the objectives of the professional experience.
 

Residential School

This subject contains a 2 day Compulsory Residential School.

The residential school will employ a case-based approach to develop diagnostic reasoning, case presentations and clinical documentation skills. Experience in the Simulation Lab will hone assessment, differential diagnoses skills, and clinical documentation.

Special Resources

Students will be required to attend a two day Residential School.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: June 2022. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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