Acute & Critical Care Theory 1

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's courses. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Course Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject provides the opportunity for students to enhance their specialty practice by gaining beginning theoretical knowledge relating to caring for patients across the lifespan who are acutely or critically ill.

Students will learn about scientific principles and research evidence relating to conducting an admission assessment, understanding admission findings, and identifying patients at risk of life threatening complications. Students will become familiar with immediate interventions required to establish and maintain patient stability, including, but not limited to life support techniques. The underpinning biological basis and evidence based principles behind treatment and symptom management (including pharmacology) of diseases/illnesses commonly treated in each critical care practice setting will be described.

Students will be expected to be able to demonstrate their beginning specialty nursing practice through:

• the ability to understand, apply and evaluate assessment data to identify patients at risk of life threatening complications;
• the ability to understand and evaluate specialised interventions as described in the subject content to provide a foundation for understanding the delivery of care at the beginning level;
• the capacity to use skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, rational inquiry and self-directed learning to apply theoretical knowledge to beginning level practice.
• an understanding of the changing knowledge base in the specialist area;
• the ability to apply scientific knowledge to understand skills and techniques applicable to the specialist area.

1. Written assignment of 2000 words due week 5 (40%)
2. Closed book 3 hour written examination at the end of semester (60%)

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of the subject students should have developed the following generic skills of the Melbourne graduate and postgraduate coursework student:

• a capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written modes of communication;
• a capacity to manage competing demands on time, including self-directed project work.

This subject has a multi-media tutorial component delivered via the University's on-line Learning Management System (LMS). Students must have access to appropriate computer facilities and the Internet.