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Demonstrate knowledge of the management of patients with acute
neurological symptoms in an ambulance context
Level
5
Credits
5
Purpose
This unit standard is intended for people who are working in an ambulance
context, and who are responsible for developing management plans for
patients, making appropriate decisions and who need to be able to do this
independently.
People credited with this unit standard are able to:
– demonstrate knowledge of the structures and functions of the neurological
system, for an ambulance context;
– demonstrate knowledge of common acute neurological conditions, their
signs, symptoms, and differential diagnoses, for an ambulance context;
and
– develop a management plan for a patient with acute neurological
symptoms in an ambulance context.
Subfield
Emergency Services
Domain
Ambulance
Status
Registered
Status date
22 August 2008
Date version published
22 August 2008
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Entry information
Prerequisite: Unit 24849, Conduct a patient assessment
in an ambulance context, or demonstrate equivalent
knowledge and skills.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry
and teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
Standard setting body (SSB)
ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0003
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
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Special notes
1
Definitions
Ambulance context – situations where emergency care is delivered in a variety of
pre-hospital environments. Pre-hospital environments refer to any situation in which
people require medical assistance outside of a controlled medical environment, such
as a medical centre. These pre-hospital environments include situations both in and
away from an ambulance vehicle.
Best practice – for the purposes of this standard is a clinical technique or
methodology that has proven to be most effective at delivering a desired outcome
and is actively promoted across the ambulance and/or emergency care sector.
Clinical procedures – the written procedures particular to each ambulance service
and endorsed by Ambulance New Zealand.
Standing orders – written instructions issued by a medical practitioner that authorise
individuals engaged in the delivery of health services to supply and administer certain
medicines without a prescription in circumstances specified in the instruction.
2
References
Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services
Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996;
and all subsequent amendments and replacements.
3
Range
Performance in relation to the elements in this unit standard is to comply with current
clinical procedures and/or standing orders and/or current best practice and be
appropriate to the patient’s condition.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the structures and functions of the neurological system, for an
ambulance context.
Performance criteria
1.1
The location and structure of parts of the neurological system are described
according to their functions.
Range
1.2
The structure of a neuron is described according to the function of each major
part.
Range
1.3
includes but is not limited to – brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain
stem), spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, neurons.
cell body, dendrite, axon, myelin sheath.
Functions of the neurological system are described according to physiological
processes.
Range
may include but is not limited to – sensory, motor, visual, auditory.
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1.4
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are described according to
transmitter substances, receptor types and physiological effects of stimulation.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of common acute neurological conditions, their signs, symptoms,
and differential diagnoses, for an ambulance context.
Performance criteria
2.1
Common neurological conditions are described according to their
pathophysiology.
Range
includes but is not limited to – stroke, seizures, syncope.
2.2
Signs and symptoms of common neurological problems are described.
2.3
Signs and symptoms of common substance use are described.
Range
2.4
includes but is not limited to – stimulants, depressants,
hallucinogenics.
Differential diagnoses for common neurological symptoms are described.
Element 3
Develop a management plan for a patient with acute neurological symptoms in an
ambulance context.
Performance criteria
3.1
The general management steps for patients with acute neurological conditions
are described.
3.2
Specific therapies used in the management of patients with acute neurological
conditions are described.
Range
3.3
includes but is not limited to – oxygen.
A management plan for a patient with acute neurological symptoms is
developed, explained, and justified.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
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Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation
reviewcomments@etito.co.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit
standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016