NURSING II
COURSE PHILOSOPHY AND INSTRUCTOR REQUIREMENTS
This course is a continuation of Nursing I. This course is a pre-requisite for all
subsequent courses. Prerequisite: LPN 2107 Nursing I, LPN 2402 Nursing of Mother
and Infant and LPN 2301 Mental Health.
Philosophy: This course is a continuation of Nursing I and will include an in-depth
study of the concepts of illness and nursing care for patients throughout the lifespan with
neoplastic, nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and
musculoskeletal disorders with integration of pharmacological, nutritional, critical
thinking and communication theories. The theory components of this course will be the
medical surgical arena and the pharmacological arena. The medical surgical theory
component of this course assists the student to have a basic understanding of the
pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, signs and symptoms, and medical and nursing care
of patients with distinct diseases of the body systems. The pharmacological theory
component assists the student to have an understanding of medications used to treat
medical-surgical disorders and nursing assessments required to evaluate whether an
expected or unexpected effect has occurred. Using critical thinking skills students will
utilize nursing process to learn the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout the life
span.
The practical, clinical component has an emphasis on the medical/surgical patient,
psychiatric patient, the obstetrical patient and the pediatric patient. This component of the
course is designed to assist the student in applying principles from the theory components
and laboratory setting to actual patients in healthcare settings. As the student progresses
through the clinical areas, patient assignments will pertain to the body system being
studied in the theory component area. Nursing care is delivered with focus on specific
standards of care for the diagnosis of the patient. Procedures learned during prior clinical
assignments will continue to be performed with emphasis on adaptations necessary for
the patient. Students will be performing total patient care including medication
administration on their assigned patients. The student is responsible for correlating theory
to clinical practice by integrating critical thinking to give safe, skillful, holistic patient
care to patients throughout the life span. Students will learn to use their knowledge to
make clinical decisions including delegation to unlicensed assistive personnel using
critical thinking skills and nursing process to give safe, skillful, holistic patient care.
Instructor Objectives: The instructor’s teaching techniques should ensure that the
students are able to:
 Build a foundation for:
o a.
Future education in special fields of nursing care
o b.
Prevention of certain disorders or the aggravation of an existing condition
o c.
Research of appropriate resources
 Have a knowledge base concerning disease conditions which affect the human
body throughout the lifespan.
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Identify major medications to treat specific disease process and abnormal body
responses.
Apply knowledge of disease process and medication regimens as it relates to
health and illness in culturally diverse populations.
Utilize mathematical principles related to the care of the medical surgical patient
to include equivalencies and dosage calculation.
Utilize critical thinking skills and the steps of nursing process to identify signs
and symptoms, interpret diagnostic studies and state interdisciplinary
management of particular disease processes of the body systems covered in this
course to provide individualized nursing care in the clinical setting.
Differentiate between nursing responsibilities and other health care discipline
responsibilities, recognizing the limitations of the practical nurse and delegating
appropriately within the scope of practice recognizing the limitations of the
practical nurse in performing certain functions. Describe the licensed practical
nurse’s Professional/legal/Ethical responsibilities as it relates to the clinical
setting.
Demonstrate and utilize a holistic approach to aspects of medical–surgical nursing
as related to disease processes.
Acknowledge and demonstrate the importance of patient safety in relation to
specific disorders, differentiating between an expected and unexpected situation
or outcome.
Integrate previous course knowledge and experiences with medical surgical
information to better enhance critical thinking and the nursing process in patient
care.
Assist the patient to meet special needs which are caused by cancer such as
problems with the skin, diet, and odor. Assist the patient to cope with pain.
Assist with the assessment of patients receiving chemotherapy, radiation therapy
and develop an understanding of emotional aspects of oncological nursing.
Assist the patient that is having a seizure considering the safety needs.
Assist the patient that has had a cerebral vascular accident, considering the
communication, emotional and rehabilitation aspects.
Perform basic neurological assessment.
Assist the patient who has had a myocardial infarction. Describe activities and
their significance used to meet survival needs, limitations in movement, IV
therapy, hourly output, continuous monitoring, enzyme studies, prevention of
complications and treatment.
Assist with the needs of the patient in congestive heart failure. Describe the
oxygen needs, the problem of edema and the medical and nursing management of
each.
Assist with the needs of the patient that has pneumonia or COPD. Consider the
need for hydration, expectoration through coughing and respiratory therapy,
management of fever, and the use of antibiotics.
Assist with the needs of the patient that has a gastrointestinal disorder considering
the diet and medication regimen.
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Assist with the needs of the patient that has had gastrointestinal surgery.
Considering the needs for relief of distention, prevention and management of
complications. Assist the patient during vomiting, observation of vital signs,
keeping airway open and turning, moving and ambulating and special elimination
needs for patients with a colostomy or ileostomy.
Assist with the needs of the patient with an orthopedic disorder. Considering the
special needs related to immobilization.
Develop an awareness of the practical nurse’s role in caring for patients with
medical surgical conditions and delegation of tasks to unlicensed assistive
personnel.
Define and correctly use terminology relating to medical surgical nursing.
Discusses the symptomatology, treatment and nursing care of commonly
occurring medical surgical conditions.
Use continual assessment to detect any signs of medical distress, and reports
appropriately.
Document correctly nursing assessments and care
Communicate effectively with patients, family and healthcare team members.
Assist with the care of the woman presenting to the facility in labor and
continuing the care through the delivery process.
Care for the postpartum woman focusing on meeting overt physical and emotional
needs, and performing postpartum teaching.
Assist with the care of a woman experiencing complex pregnancy needs.
Assist with the care of a normal newborn in the newborn nursery.
Assist with the care of a newborn with a disorder in the newborn nursery.
Care for a pediatric patient performing basic nursing procedures and safety
practices appropriate to pediatric nursing considering the patient's age, growth and
development stage.
Care for a pediatric patient with common pediatric disorders outlining symptoms,
treatment and nursing care for the patient considering the patient's age, growth
and development stage.
Assist in the care of a geriatric psychiatric patient comparing textbook
signs/symptoms, treatment and nursing care
Care for a patient undergoing rehabilitation.
Develop individualized plans of nursing care with consideration of theoretical
knowledge as it relates to health and illness in culturally diverse populations.
Correctly state or demonstrate the following regarding medication administration:
o a. generic/trade names
o b. purpose of medication
o c. side effects
o d. nursing assessment(s) prior to and after administration
o e. safety protocols related to medication administration (to include the 6
rights).
Course Teaching Requirements: The following should be followed by all instructors
teaching this course (online and in the traditional setting).
 It is not necessary to cover all chapters in the book. However, the following
chapters must be covered by all instructors: chapters 34, 41, 36, 38, 40
 The instructor may use any appropriate teaching method. This includes but is not
limited to: lecture, computer assisted programs, role-playing, simulations, etc.
 The medical surgical content will be calculated using 2/3 of grade from daily
course work and exams and 1/3 of grade from the final exam. The final exam for
the theory components must have a comprehensive component, must count for at
least 1/3 of the theory component grade and must be proctored.
 The pharmacology content will be calculated using 2/3 of grade from daily course
work and exams and 1/3 of grade from the final exam. The final exam for the
theory components must have a comprehensive component, must count for at least
1/3 of the theory component grade and must be proctored.
 The clinical component will have a comprehensive exam and must count for 1/3 of
the final clinical component grade.
 For the final course grade: 1/3 of the grade will come from pharmacology content
grade; 1/3 from medical surgical content grade and 1/3 from clinical component
grade.
 Students must pass each component of the course to advance in the program.
 The instructor will be with the students at the assigned clinical facility.
 The instructor will follow all of the policies for the clinical instructor.
Assessment Responsibilities: Instructors teaching this course will be expected to
participate in assessment activities as dictated by the division. You will be given further
information/instructions by the lead instructor. .
Advanced Technology and Allied Health Division Contact Information:
Division Director: Keith McClanahan, 501-882-8811, mkmcclanahan@asub.edu
Program Director: Gail Burton, 501-207-6235, gburton@searcy.asub.edu
Lead Instructor: Gail Burton, 501-207-6235, gburton@searcy.asub.edu