RNSG 1443 Complex Concepts of Adult Health
Course Description
This course focuses on the integration of previous knowledge and skills related to common adult health
needs into the continued development of the professional nurse as a provider of care, patient safety
advocate, member of health care team, and member of the profession in the care of adult
patients/families in structured health care settings with complex medical-surgical health care needs
associated with body systems. Emphasis is on complex knowledge, judgments, skills, and professional
values within a legal/ethical framework.
Prerequisites: RNSG 1341, RNSG 1161, PSYC 2301.
Corequisite: RNSG 1360.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Utilize clinical reasoning and the nursing process guided by evidence based practice as a
framework for nursing decisions in meeting the health care needs of adult patients /families
with complex health care needs.
2. Integrate the etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, signs and symptoms, complications,
therapeutic interventions for patients /families with complex health needs.
3. Interpret the four roles of the professional nurse when providing patient-centered care for adult
patients and families with complex health needs.
4. Develop teaching plans that assist adult patients and their families to meet their needs for
health maintenance, promotion, and /or restoration.
5. Integrate legal principles from governing and accrediting agencies and ethical guidelines when
planning patient- centered nursing care.
6. Formulate goals and outcomes that promote quality and a risk free, safe environment for all
individuals.
7. Demonstrate competence and safety in the performance of selected nursing skills.
8. Analyze the role of a health care advocate when collaborating with members of the
interdisciplinary health team determining resources that facilitate continuity of care; health
promotion, maintenance, and restoration.
9. Analyze the principles of therapeutic communication that facilitate interactions with patients
and health care members.
10. Analyze use of technology when communicating and managing information to support decision
making to improve care for individuals and their families.
11. Analyze the guidelines and responsibilities associated with delegation of nursing care.
12. Analyze measures that promote the development and practice of professional nursing.
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Course Content
Module – Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances

Fluid Volume Deficit/Fluid Volume Excess

Hypo/Hypercalcemia

Hypo/Hyperkalemia

Hypo/Hypermagnesemia

Hypo/Hypernatremia

Hypo/Hyperphosphatemia
Module — Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with Acid Base Imbalances

Metabolic acidosis/alkalosis

Respiratory acidosis/alkalosis

ABGs

Mixed problems
Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with Cancer
1. Epidemiology: prevalence, incidence, survival, and mortality rates
2. “Pathophysiology of cancer”
a. Defect in cellular proliferation; Defect in cellular differentiation
b. 3 phases of cancer development
c. Role of the immune system
3. Classification of cancer
a. Staging and grading
4. Role of the nurse in prevention and detection
5. Treatment and Nursing Care: control, cure, palliative care
a. Surgery
b. Radiation therapy
c. Chemotherapy
d. Targeted and biologic therapies; Gene therapy
Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual during the Intraoperative period
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
OR environment and attire
Functions of surgical team members
Needs of patient in OR
Role of perioperative nurse
Principles of aseptic technique and safety for operating room
Types of anesthesia: local, regional, general
Induction and maintenance of anesthesia
Adjuncts to general anesthesia
Conscious sedation
Post surgical complications
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Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with a Respiratory Disorder
Head and neck cancer
 Laryngectomy
 Radical Neck Surgery
Lung Cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
 Chronic Bronchitis
 Emphysema
 Asthma
Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with a Neurological Disorder
Chronic Problems:
 Multiple sclerosis
 Parkinson’s disease
 Myasthenia gravis
Peripheral Nerve Problems: (Define only)
 Trigeminal neuralgia
 ALS
 Bell’s palsy
 Cranial never disorders
 Huntington’s Disease
Module Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with an Endocrine Disorder
Acute Complications
 DKA
 HHS
 Hypoglycemia
 Metabolic Syndrome
Chronic Complications
1. Chronic Complications
a. Angiopathy
b. Diabetic retinopathy
c. Nephropathy
d. Neuropathy
e. Complications of foot and lower extremity
f. Integumentary complications
g. Infection
Module – Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with Male reproductive or Urinary
Disorder
Problems with Prostate:
 BPH
 Prostate cancer
 Prostatitis
Other cancers: Testicular Cancer, Bladder, Kidney – urinary diversions
Erectile disjunction
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Module – Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with a Musculoskeletal Disorder
Soft Tissue Injuries:
 Sprains / Strains
 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
 Rotator cuff Injury
 Miniscus Injury
Fractures / Hip Fracture
 Cast care; Traction
 Internal / External fixation
 Compartment syndrome
Amputation
Joint Surgical procedures
Module 10 - Incorporating Cultural Sensitivity into the Nursing Care of the Individual
1. Culture
2. Cultural competence
3. Components of cultural assessment
a. Values
b. Socioeconomic
c. Communication
d. Nutrition
e. Religion and religious practices
f. Health beliefs and practices
4. Cultural diversity in the health care workplace
5. Cultural factors affecting health and health care
Module – Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with a Cardiovascular Disorder
Coronary artery disease
Angina
Myocardial Infarction
Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with an Arterial Venous Disorder
Peripheral Artery Disease
 Disease of lower extremities
 Reynaud’s
 Thromnboangiitis obliterans
Venous Disorders
 DVT
 Thrombophlebitis
Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with a Hematologic Disorder
Anemia’s
Lymphoma
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
Hodgkin’s /Non-Hodkin’s
Module - Providing Patient Centered Care for the Individual with a Gastrointestinal Disorder
Upper GI
Oral cancer
Esophageal cancer
Lower GI
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
 Crohn’s disease
 Ulcerative colitis
Polyps & Colorectal cancer
Colostomy
Skills Labs
1. IV fluids, changing bags, piggybacks
2. Medication administration through central lines and PICC lines
3. Venipuncture/ IV starts, setting up IV fluids
4. Central lines: all types, including PICC (excluding CVL dressing changes)
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