Professor: Department
Semester: Fall, Spring
Credits: 6
Prerequisites: NUR 213, 234; previous or concurrent enrollment in BPS 333.

Catalog Description: Focuses on strategies and interventions to restore health to individuals across the life span who have acute health problems. Emphasis on the nursing process and theoretical foundation.

This course is designed to meet the changing learning needs of today's nursing student in acute care settings. It focuses on therapeutic nursing strategies and interventions used to restore health to individuals who are experiencing acute and/or complex health problems across the life continuum. Previous health and physical assessment knowledge as well as therapeutic communication principles are utilized to analyze deviations from health with attention to implications for the individual and family.

By the end of this course you will:

1. Analyze the roles of the nurse in caring for the patient in acute care (hospital) setting.
2. Develop a comprehensive theoretical knowledge base that integrates the scientific rationale for nursing strategies and interventions used to manage patients with acute care illnesses.
3. Describe levels of prevention used in planning care for patients with a variety of health care problems.
4. Analyze assessment data in combination with evidence based literature to provide care for patients with comprehensive needs.
5. Integrate nursing diagnoses with medical diagnoses to help plan care for patients.
6. Discuss the psychosocial needs of patients who are acutely ill.
7. Identify principles of excellent communication skills that are necessary to develop trusting relationships with patients.
8. Utilize current professional literature while learning about patients with acute and chronic illnesses.
9. Differentiate developmental needs of young, middle aged and older adults who are admitted to the hospital.
10. Identify the legal and ethical issues that impact on nursing care of patients.

This course consists of a bi-weekly, three hour session, which includes lecture, class discussion, and the use of Turning Point technology. There are face to face examinations in addition to online assignments/quizzes via Sakai course management. This course is usually taken concurrently with NUR 324, which is the practicum component of Junior Medical-Surgical Nursing.

The topics covered in the course include:

• Content topics for this course include Nursing Management of clients with the following:
  • Disturbances in Oxygenation
  • Cardiovascular Problems
  • Neurological Deficits
  • Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances
  • Perioperative Management
  • Acute/ Chronic Pain
  • Musculoskeletal Problems
  • Endocrine Disorders
  • Gastrointestinal Illnesses
  • Renal Insufficiencies
  • Wound/ Impaired Skin Integrity
  • Cancer Management
  • Men's Health Problems
  • End of Life/ Spiritual Needs of the patient and family
  • Management of the older adult in a hospital setting

This course is taught by multiple instructors, please refer to the URI Course Schedule.

This is a required nursing course that is taken after the completion of NUR 233/234 Fundamentals and Gerontology. It is a course which is necessary for development of the nursing management skills required in care of the hospitalized patient and their family.

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