Critical Care Specialty Elective: Nursing 401A.

This course guide describes an elective speciality course on critical/intensive care nursing. A rationale for the course is followed by general information, including a description of the theoretical and clinical course components, an enumeration of major goals and objectives, a detailed outline of the units of instruction, a calendar of activities, a list of textbooks and audiovisual materials, and information related to student evaluation. The guide then outlines the goals, objectives, and corresponding reading assignments for each of three instructional units. The first of these deals with patient assessment, covering inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. The second unit considers the core body systems (cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, nervous, and gastrointestinal). The normal functions and pathophysiology of these systems are reviewed and treatment modalities and assessment skills are discussed. The third unit relates to the psychosocial needs of the critically ill, covering anxiety, denial, depression, and the problems of the dying patient. The guide concludes with sample test questions, guidelines for a final paper, and an instructor evaluation form to be completed by the student. (JP)