Revised Fall 2008-2009
SYLLABUS
EMP 193
3 Semester Credit Hours
Patient Assessment and Management
4 Contact Hours
Course Description
This course provides the knowledge and skills needed to perform a comprehensive
patient assessment, make initial management decisions, and to communicate assessment
findings and patient care verbally and in writing. Content areas include: airway
management, history taking, and techniques of the physical examination, patient
assessment, clinical decision making, communications, documentation, and assessment
based management. Upon course completion, students will have demonstrated
competency in those respective components of the National Standard Curriculum for the
EMT-Paramedic and requirements set forth by the Alabama Department of Public Health.
CORE
Prerequisite: Admission to the EMT-Paramedic Program
Corequisite:
Approved Anatomy and Physiology Course(s)
Course Textbook, Manuals, or Other Required Materials
Bledsoe, Bryan E., Robert S. Porter, and Richard A. Cherry. Essentials of Paramedic
Care. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2007.
Bledsoe, Bryan E., Robert S. Porter, and Richard A. Cherry. Essentials of Paramedic
Care. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2007. Workbook.
Optional (recommended) Textbook- Medical Dictionary
Course Learning Outcome
A.
B.
The student will possess acceptable knowledge of prehospital patient assessment.
The student will be able to provide acceptable care to the patient with airway
and/or respiratory compromise.
Outline of Course Topics
A.
Airway Management and Ventilation
1.
Introduction
2.
Anatomy of the Respiratory System
3.
Physiology of the Respiratory System
4.
Respiratory Problems
5.
Respiratory System Assessment
B.
C.
D.
E.
F
G.
6.
Basic Airway Management
7.
Advanced Airway Management
8.
Managing Patients with Stoma Sites
9.
Suctioning
10.
Gastric Distention and Decompression
11.
Oxygenation
12.
Ventilation
The History
1.
Introduction
2.
Establishing Patient Rapport
3.
The Comprehensive Patient History
4.
Special Challenges
Physical Exam Techniques
1.
Physical Examination Approach and Overview
2.
Overview of a Comprehensive Examination
3.
Anatomical Regions
4.
Physical Examination of Infants and Children
5.
Recording Examination Findings
Patient Assessment in the Field
1.
Introduction
2.
Scene Size-Up
3.
The Initial Assessment
4.
The Focused History and Physical Exam
5.
The Detailed Physical Exam
6.
Ongoing Assessment
Clinical Decision Making
1.
Introduction to Critical Thinking
2.
Paramedic Practice
3.
Critical Thinking Skills
4.
Thinking Under Pressure
5.
The Critical Decision Process
Communications
1.
Introduction to Communication
2.
Basic Communication Model
3.
Verbal Communication
4.
Written Communication
5.
The EMS Response
6.
Communication Technology
7.
Reporting Procedures
8.
Regulation
Documentation
1.
Introduction
2.
Uses for Documentation
3.
General Considerations
4.
Elements of Good Documentation
5.
Narrative Writing
6.
Special Considerations
7.
Consequences of Inappropriate Documentation
H.
8.
Closing
Assessment-Based Management
1.
Introduction
2.
Effective Assessment
3.
The Right Equipment
4.
General Approach to the Patient
5.
Presenting the Patient
6.
Review of Common Complaints
Methods of Instruction
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Lectures
Demonstration
Supervised Practice
Role Play
Audio/Visual Presentations
Evaluation and Assessment
A.
B.
C.
Course Grade Assessment
Students who successfully complete this course must accumulate a minimum of
750 of 1000 possible points during the semester. The student must also pass both
practical skills and behavioral competencies on a pass/fail basis.
Departmental Assessment of Learning Outcomes
1.
On a selected written exam the student will demonstrate acceptable
knowledge of comprehensive pre-hospital management of a patient illness
or injury by scoring a minimum of 75%.
2.
In a designated lab exercise, the student will demonstrate correct
placement of an endotracheal tube using a standard checklist.
Use of Assessment Findings
During the Fall In-service of the year following a scheduled review of this course,
a committee will review all course assessment materials submitted by the
instructors and division chair. The committee will send a report of any
recommended curriculum changes to the division chair, who will then submit
them to the Curriculum Committee. Upon approval by the Curriculum
Committee, a copy will be filed with the Office of Institutional Planning and
Assessment.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. Students who are
unable to attend class regularly, regardless of the reason or circumstance, should
withdraw from that class before poor attendance interferes with the student’s ability to
achieve the objectives required in the course. Withdrawal from class can affect eligibility
for federal financial aid.
Statement on Discrimination/Harassment
The College and the Alabama State Board of Education are committed to providing both
employment and educational environments free of harassment or discrimination related to
an individual’s race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Such
harassment is a violation of State Board of Education policy. Any practice or behavior
that constitutes harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.
Statement of Adherence to ADA Guidelines
Instructors will adhere to the Americans With Disabilities Act and/or Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act (1973) and will publish the following statement on course outlines
given to students at the beginning if each semester: “Any individual who qualifies for
reasonable accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act or Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act (1973) should notify the instructor immediately.”