MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
MODULE DETAILS
Module title
Module code
Credit value
Level
Mark the box to the right of the
appropriate level with an ‘X’
Cardiac arrhythmias and interventions
NH6133
20
Level 4
Level 5
Level 6
Level 0 (for modules at foundation level)
x
Level 7
Level 8
Entry criteria for registration on this module
Pre-requisites
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Normal course entry criteria apply. Or, if taken as a free standing module
pre-requisites are: health care professionals working in an area of
acute/cardiac care with normally 1 years’ post-registration experience.
Students should work with patients who are undergoing continuous
cardiac monitoring.
Co-requisite modules
Specify in terms of module codes or
equivalent
Module delivery
Mode of delivery
Taught
x
Distance x
Placement
Online
Other
Pattern of delivery
Weekly x
Block
Other
When module is delivered
Semester 1
x
Semester 2
x
Throughout year
Other
Brief description of module Cardiac conditions will frequently result in cardiac arrhythmias and the
content and/ or aims
need for invasive cardiac intervention. The aim of this module is to
Overview (max 80 words)
critically review the aetiology, management and evidence base for the
management of these patients; a variety of treatment modalities will be
explored.
Module team/ author/
Chrissie Spiers, Heather Baid
coordinator(s)
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Site/ campus where
Falmer, Brighton
delivered
Course(s) for which module is appropriate and status on that course
Course
BSc (Hons) Acute Clinical Practice
Graduate Certificate Acute Clinical Practice
BSc (Hons) Professional Practice
Status (mandatory/ compulsory/
optional)
O
O
O
MODULE AIMS, ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT
Aims
Learning outcomes
The aim of this module is to enable students to develop an advanced
understanding of cardiac arrhythmias and of the invasive and noninvasive interventions which are required as part of the treatment
strategy.
On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:
1. Critically review cardiovascular dysfunction in relation to the
cardiac conditions discussed
2. Systematically evaluate cardiac arrhythmias and recognise
their electrophysiological origin, causes and potential
haemodynamic consequences
3. Critically analyse the interventions required for patients with
these arrhythmias, evaluate the efficacy of these interventions
and debate potential outcomes
4. Critically compare the evidence-based pharmacological,
electrical and surgical interventions offered for a variety of
arrhythmias
5. Critically debate the psychosocial impact to patients and their
families and consider the impact of key policy documents on
the care of these patients
Content
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Learning support
Anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology
Principles of electrocardiography
Cause, recognition, haemodynamic consequences and
management of atrial, junctional and ventricular arrhythmias
Sudden arrhythmic (cardiac) death syndromes
Pharmacological management of arrhythmias
Electrical and surgical management of arrhythmias
Psychosocial care of patients and families with reference to
key policy documents and evidence-based research
Textbooks:
Latest edition of the following texts:
Gersch, B.J. and L.H.Opie. 2009 Drugs for the heart 7th ed.
Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier
Redwood, S., N. Curzen and M.R. Thomas. 2010 Oxford textbook of
interventional cardiology Oxford: Oxford University Press
Wagner, G.S. 2008 Marriott’s Practical Electrocardiography 11th ed.
Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins
Wesley, K. 2011. Huszar’s basic dysrhythmias and acute coronary
syndromes: interpretation and management 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby
Woods, S.L. 2010 Cardiac Nursing 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott,
Williams and Wilkins
Websites:
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http://www.nice.org.uk
http://www/escardio.org
www.cardiology.org
http://www.cry.org.uk
Journal titles:
British Journal of Cardiac Nursing
Acute Cardiac Care
British Journal of Cardiology
Heart
Teaching and learning activities
Details of teaching and
learning activities
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Lectures
Quizzes
Seminars
Group work
Workshops
Allocation of study hours (indicative)
Study hours
Where 10 credits = 100 learning hours
SCHEDULED
This is an indication of the number of hours students
can expect to spend in scheduled teaching activities
including lectures, seminars, tutorials, project
supervision, demonstrations, practical classes and
workshops, supervised time in workshops/ studios,
fieldwork, external visits, and work-based learning.
60 hours
taught which
will include
some
distance and
e-learning
GUIDED INDEPENDENT
STUDY
All students are expected to undertake guided
independent study which includes wider reading/
practice, follow-up work, the completion of assessment
tasks, and revisions.
70 hours
independent
study
PLACEMENT
The placement is a specific type of learning away from
the University that is not work-based learning or a year
abroad.
70 hours
clinical
practice
TOTAL STUDY HOURS
200
Assessment tasks
Details of assessment for
this module
The assessment consists of two parts: parts one and two. Both parts
must be passed in order to pass the module.
Part one Theoretical element (50%) of overall mark – Case study –
2500 words
The case study will enable the students to:
 Discuss the cause and electrophysiological manifestation of an
arrhythmia or arrhythmic syndrome (LO 1 and 2)
 Critically review the investigation and management of the
arrhythmia or syndrome (pharmacological, electrical or
surgical) for a chosen patient (LO 3 and 4)
 Debate the current evidence-based management and policy
directives implicit in the management of their chosen patient
and consideration of the psychosocial impact on the patient
and his family (LO 5)
Part two Practical element (50%) of overall mark – Clinical skills
Students will be expected to complete 6 clinical skills determining the
theoretical links and relevance to current practice. The clinical skills will
include be chosen from a selection and will be assessed in practice by
the clinical mentor (LO 1-6 depending on choice of skill)
Types of assessment task1
1
% weighting
Set exercises, which assess the application of knowledge or analytical, problem-solving or evaluative skills, are included
under the type of assessment most appropriate to the particular task.
Indicative list of summative assessment tasks which lead to the award of credit or which are required for
progression.
(or indicate if
component is
pass/fail)
WRITTEN
Case study
50%
Clinical skills assessments
50%
COURSEWORK
PRACTICAL
EXAMINATION INFORMATION
Area examination board
Undergraduate CPE (Acute Clinical Practice) AEB
Refer to Faculty Office for guidance in completing the following sections
External examiners
Name
Position and institution
Date appointed
Dr. Julie MacInnes
Senior Lecturer, Christ
Church Canterbury University
January 2012
Date tenure
ends
January
2016
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Date of first approval
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of last revision
Only complete where this is not the
first version
Date of approval for this
version
Version number
Modules replaced
June 2013
NH 3133 and NH 3134
Specify codes of modules for which
this is a replacement
Available as free-standing module?
Yes
x
No