NURS 448
Nursing of the Adult II
a. Catalog Entry
NURS 448. Nursing of the Adult II
Three hours lecture; six hours practicum (5).
Prerequisites: NURS 360, 362, 364, 366
Semester offered: Fall and Spring
This Level 3 Course focuses on nursing care for adult clients with complex health problems
incorporating clinical experiences in a variety of community settings. Previously gained
knowledge as well as new knowledge is emphasized to promote the acutely ill client’s holistic
health. Theoretical knowledge and clinical application facilitate transition from student to
professional nurse.
b. Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topic Outline:
Emphasis is placed on nursing care of the client experiencing critical illness in the following
areas:




Respiration and Ventilation
a. Respiratory Process
b. Arterial Blood Gas Analysis
c. Mechanical Ventilation
d. Nursing Care of the Patient with Altered Respiratory Function
Perfusion
a. Determinants of Cardiac Output
b. Altered Cardiac Dysfunction and Electrocardiographic Monitoring
c. Hemodynamic Monitoring
Shock States
a. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
Neurologic
a. Consciousness
b. Acute Cerebral Dysfunction
c. Spinal Cord Injury



Metabolic
a. Altered Glucose Metabolism
b. Acute Renal Dysfunction
Injury
a. Acute Burn Injury
b. Trauma Assessment and Resuscitation
c. Organ Transplantation
d. Domestic violence
e. Bioterrorism
Gastrointestinal
a. Acute Hepatic Dysfunction
b. Acute Pancreatic Dysfunction
c. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies may be employed:
This web-enhanced course may include lectures and discussion based on case studies and
problem-based learning, data clustering and concept mapping, videotapes, DVDs, overheads ,
guest lectures, written projects, guided clinical practice, clinical conferences, and student
presentations.
d. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:








Apply the nursing process in an independent manner to provide holistic nursing care to
critically ill adult individuals and families.
Employ safe, therapeutic, and caring nursing interventions for individuals and families
representing diverse populations, and make clinical decisions based on theory and
evidence.
Utilize critical thinking, standards of nursing practice, effective communication
skills and research findings in the provision of nursing care and as part of a
multidisciplinary team in an acute care setting.
Adhere to the established standards of professional nursing practice, accepting individual
responsibility for nursing interventions.
Assume responsibility for ongoing learning through the examination and selection of
personal and professional goals and the methodology for attainment.
Demonstrate increasing accountability for words and actions and apply leadership skills
to enhance the delivery of professional nursing care to clients in the critical care setting.
Refine skills for effective written, oral, and nonverbal communications with individuals,
families, and aggregates.
Apply health care information technology skills interdependently in the critical care
setting

Interact with clients from various cultural backgrounds and in collaboration with
members of the health care team to advocate for and to provide culturally sensitive
nursing care.
e. Assessment Measures
May include:






Tests; Exam; Quiz
Written Projects
Project, Individual or Group
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
Clinical Performance
The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets the
stated course objectives. Students must have a minimum of 75% (“C”) in theory, measured
through testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the final grade after
the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.
Final Grades are a combination of at least 75% (“C”) on both theory and clinical/lab
components. Clinical performance must be satisfactory to pass the course.
f. Other Course Information
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a commitment
to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or
exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in
strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook for details.
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the Americans
With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Office (DRO).
The DRO website is www. radford.edu/~dro-web or email dro-web@radford.edu or telephone
540-831-6350. To receive academic accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper
DRO forms and meet with your faculty no later than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For Attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of
Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
g. Review and Approval:
Date Action Reviewed by
May 2001 Undergraduate Curriculum Janet Hardy Boettcher, Revision Director
April 2004 Review/Approval Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
NURS 448
Nursing of the Adult II
a. Catalog Entry
NURS 448. Nursing of the Adult II
Three hours lecture; six hours practicum (5).
Prerequisites: NURS 360, 362, 364, 366
Semester offered: Fall and Spring
This Level 3 Course focuses on nursing care for adult clients with complex health problems
incorporating clinical experiences in a variety of community settings. Previously gained
knowledge as well as new knowledge is emphasized to promote the acutely ill client’s
holistic health. Theoretical knowledge and clinical application facilitate transition from
student to professional nurse.
The objectives and content of this Level 3 Course are derived from the School of Nursing’s
philosophy and conceptual framework and the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for
Professional Nursing Practice (AACN) and facilitate achievement of the School’s program
objectives, These objectives are conceptualized to include the care of older adults. These
represent areas covered on standardized achievement examinations and the NCLEX-RN Test
Plan. Current research and advances in theory and clinical practice also determine content.
b. Detailed Description of Content of the Course
Topic Outline:
Emphasis is placed on nursing care of the client experiencing critical illness in the following
areas:




Respiration and Ventilation
a. Respiratory Process
b. Arterial Blood Gas Analysis
c. Mechanical Ventilation
d. Nursing Care of the Patient with Altered Respiratory Function
Perfusion
a. Determinants of Cardiac Output
b. Altered Cardiac Dysfunction and Electrocardiographic Monitoring
c. Hemodynamic Monitoring
Shock States
a. Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome
Neurologic
a. Consciousness





b. Acute Cerebral Dysfunction
c. Spinal Cord Injury
Metabolic
a. Altered Glucose Metabolism
b. Acute Renal Dysfunction
Injury
a. Acute Burn Injury
b. Trauma Assessment and Resuscitation
c. Organ Transplantation
Gastrointestinal
a. Acute Hepatic Dysfunction
b. Acute Pancreatic Dysfunction
Domestic violence
Bioterrorism
c. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The following teaching strategies may be employed but are not limited to:
This web-enhanced course may include lectures and discussion based on case studies and
problem-based learning, data clustering and concept mapping, videotapes, DVDs,
overheads , guest lectures, written projects, guided clinical practice, clinical conferences,
and student presentations.
d. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Integrates the knowledge and methods of a variety of disciplines to informed decision making in the
high acuity setting.
2. Implements evidence-based nursing interventions as appropriate for managing the acute and
chronic care of patients and promoting health across the lifespan, including genetic factors, and
advocates for high quality, safe patient care in the high acuity setting.
3. Integrates evidence-based research findings, clinical judgment, inter-professional perspectives,
and patient preferences in planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care.
4. Applies patient-care technologies as appropriate to address the needs of a diverse patient
population.
5. Utilizes an ethical framework, as well as state, national and international regulations, to evaluate
the impact of social policies on healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations
6. Contribute the nursing perspective to inter-professional teams to optimize outcomes of individuals,
families, and aggregates and advocates for high-quality and safe patient care.
7. Utilizes scientific principles of nursing knowledge in increasingly complex situations when providing
multidimensional care to individuals, families, and aggregates.
8. Demonstrates increasing skill in applying frameworks for ethical decision making and advocate for
high quality and safe patient care. Promotes the image of nursing by modeling the values and
articulating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the nursing profession.
9. Conducts comprehensive and focused assessments of health and illness parameters of patients,
using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches.
10. Recognizes and intervenes in any known or suspected incidences of abuse, neglect, or exploitation
or children or elderly and incapacitated adults.
11. Recognizes and responds to situations of bioterrorism and domestic violence.
e. Assessment Measures
May include but not limited to:






Tests; Exam; Quiz
Written Projects
Project, Individual or Group
Oral Presentations
Class Participation
Clinical Performance
The course grade is determined by an evaluation of the extent to which the student meets
the stated course objectives. Students must have a minimum of 75% (“C”) in theory,
measured through testing. Other written or class participation work will be included in the
final grade after the minimum 75% (“C”) has been attained through testing.
Final Grades are a combination of at least 75% (“C”) on both theory and clinical/lab
components. Clinical performance must be satisfactory to pass the course.
f. Other Course Information
Honor Code: By accepting admission to Radford University, each student makes a
commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without
compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class
will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Refer to your Student Handbook
for details.
Students with Disabilities: If you are seeking classroom accommodations under the
Americans With Disabilities Act, you are required to register with the Disability Resource
Office (DRO). The DRO website is www. radford.edu/~dro-web or email droweb@radford.edu or telephone 540-831-6350 540-831-6350. To receive academic
accommodations for this class, please obtain the proper DRO forms and meet with your
faculty no later than the second week of the semester.
Attendance: For Attendance policies and other course-related requirements, see School of
Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook and Course Description.
g. Review and Approval:
Date Action Reviewed by
May 2001 Undergraduate Curriculum Janet Hardy Boettcher, Revision Director
April 2004 Review/Approval Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
February 2011, Kim Carter, Director