Communication

1. Describe the impact of communication on the helping relationship between nurse and patient.
2. Identify examples of therapeutic and nontherapeutic communication in the following situations:
   1. Establishing trust
   2. Demonstrating caring
   3. Encouraging open communication
   4. Enhancing understanding
   5. Reducing stress
   6. Reinforcing patient focus
3. Impact Health Formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses for patients with communication difficulties.
4. Demonstrate strategies for communicating with patients with communication difficulties, including older adults.
5. Role-play therapeutic communication.
6. Recognize aspects of professional communication.
7. Describe qualities, behaviors, and communication techniques that affect professional communication
8. Role-play professional communication.

Infection Prevention and Control

1. Give an example of preventing infection for each element of the infection chain.
2. Identify the body’s normal defenses against infection.
3. Identify patients most at risk for infection.
4. Explain conditions that promote the transmission of healthcare-associated infection.
5. Compare and contrast signs and symptoms of local and systemic infections.
6. Explain the difference between medical and surgical asepsis.
7. Explain the rationale for standard precautions.
8. Explain how infection and control interventions may differ in the home versus the hospital.
9. Explain procedures for each isolation category.
10. Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms of a localized versus systemic infection.
11. Explain the definition of occupational exposure and the post-exposure process.

Vital Signs

1. Explain the physiology of normal regulation of temperature, blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, and respirations.
2. Describe factors that cause variations in body temperature, pulse, oxygen saturation, respirations, and blood pressure.
3. Identify ranges of acceptable vital sign values for an infant, a child, and an adult.
4. Identify when to take vital signs.
5. Explain variations in technique used to assess the vital signs of an infant, a child, and an adult.

Pain Management

1. Outline the physiology of pain.
2. Identify components of the pain experience.
3. Discuss the common misconceptions about pain.
4. Explain how the physiology of pain relates to selecting interventions for pain relief.
5. Identify the elements of a pain assessment.
6. Explain how cultural factors may influence the pain experience.
7. Recall guidelines for selecting and individualizing pain interventions.
8. Describe various pharmacological approaches to treating pain.
9. Discuss nursing implications for administering analgesics.
10. Describe the use of non-pharmacological pain interventions.
11. Summarize therapeutic communication as it relates to the patient in pain.
12. Identify barriers to effective pain management.
13. Predict learning needs of patients in pain.
14. Choose teaching strategies appropriate for the patient in pain.

Reading

• Review course syllabus and WCU RN Student Handbook
• TFundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 8 Communication
  • Ch. 24 Asepsis and Infection Control
  • Ch. 25 Vital Signs
  • Ch. 35 Comfort and Pain Management

Content Outline

• Therapeutic communication
• Professional communication & documentation
• Infection prevention and control

Specific Course Activities

• Role play therapeutic & professional communication (iSBAR).
• Practice using alternate methods of communication (gestures, signals, lip reading, communication board, interpreter board, etc.).
• Practice CDC approved “cough etiquette” or create a CDC “cough etiquette” skit (song, dance, poem, public service announcement, dramatization, etc.).
• View ATI Medical Surgical Review Module Media Index: Pain Management.
• Discuss 5 NCLEX style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning System.

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module
  • Ch. 10 Medical Surgical Asepsis
  • Ch. 11 Infection Control
  • Ch. 27 Vital Signs
  • Ch. 32 Therapeutic Communication
  • Ch. 41 Pain Management
  • Ch. 56 Bacterial, Viral, Fungal and Parasitic Infections

Assignments

• ATI Achieve Modules
  
  • Test Taking Skills
  • Study Skills
  • Classroom Skills

Health Assessment and Physical Exam

1. Identify data to collect from the nursing history before an examination.
2. Describe interview techniques used to enhance communication during history taking.
3. Discuss the purposes of physical assessment.
4. List techniques for preparing a patient physically and psychologically before and during an examination.
5. Describe ways to use physical assessment skills during routine nursing care.
6. Discuss ways to incorporate health promotion and health teaching into the examination.
7. Discuss normal physical findings in a young, middle-aged, and older adult.
8. Identify preventive screenings and the appropriate age(s) for each screening to occur.

Mobility and Immobility

1. Outline the functions of the musculoskeletal and nervous system in the regulation of movement.
2. Summarize physiological and pathological influences on body alignment and joint mobility.
3. Identify changes in physiological and psychosocial functioning associated with mobility and immobility.
4. List elements of an assessment of body alignment and mobility.
5. Formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses for patients with impaired mobility.
6. Compare and contrast active and passive range of motion exercises.
7. Discuss the importance of no-lift policies for the patient and healthcare provider.
8. Describe equipment needed for safe patient transfer and movement.
9. Identify criteria for the evaluation of nursing care for maintaining body alignment and mobility.

Patient Safety

1. Recognize safety hazards for patients with difficulty with mobility and activity.
2. Discuss the nurse’s role in protecting the safety of patients with difficulty with mobility and activity.
3. Identify nursing strategies to prevent injury to patients with mobility and activity difficulties.
4. Outline key teaching patients for patients at risk for injury related to mobility and activity difficulties.

Hygiene

1. Describe factors that influence personal hygiene practices.
2. Discuss the implications of inadequate hygiene practices.
3. List common hair and scalp problems and their related interventions.
4. Describe how hygiene care for the older adult, younger patient, and impaired patient differ.
5. Discuss different approaches used in maintaining a patient’s comfort and safety during hygiene care.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 27 Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness
  • Ch. 26 Health Assessment
  • Ch. 31 Hygiene

Content Outline

• Physical assessment
• Mobility and immobility
• Patient safety
• Hygiene

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning System RN
• Fundamentals 1 Practice test
• View ATI Skills Module Physical Assessment Adult Step By Step Viewing and Complete Practice Challenge 1
• Students in groups use information in their books to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient with mobility alterations, including safety measures and anticipated teaching needed. Active Learning Templates (30 minutes)
  • Break into groups based on body system
  • Using the Basic Concept template, identify how immobility impacts each body system
  • Present to class
• Review ATI Skills Module Personal Hygiene Practice Challenges
• View ATI Fundamentals Review Module Media Index: Delegation

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
  • Ch. 12 Client Safety
  • Ch. 14 Ergonomic Principles
  • Ch. 26 Health Assessment, Data Collection, & General Survey
  • Ch. 28 Head & Neck
  • Ch. 29 Thorax, Heart, & Abdomen
  • Ch. 30 Integumentary & Peripheral Vascular Systems
  • Ch. 31 Musculoskeletal & Neurosensory Systems
  • Ch. 37 Hygiene
  • Ch. 40 Mobility & Immobility

Assignments

• Assessment 1
  

Activity and Exercise

1. Summarize the role of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in the regulation of movement.
2. Explain physiological and pathological influences on body alignment and joint mobility.
3. Discuss how exercise and activity benefit physiological and psychological functioning.
4. State the effects of exercise on health promotion.
5. Identify factors to consider when planning an exercise program for patients across the life span with specific chronic illnesses.
6. Describe how to assess patients for impaired mobility and activity intolerance.
7. Formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses for a patient with activity or exercise intolerances.
8. Choose interventions to maintain or improve activity tolerance and mobility for a variety of patient situations.

Sensory Alteration

1. Differentiate between the processes of reception, perception, and reaction to sensory stimuli.
2. Explain the relationship of sensory function to an individual’s level of wellness.
3. Identify common causes and effects of sensory alterations.
4. Describe common sensory changes that normally occur with aging.
5. Select factors to assess when determining a patient’s sensory status.
6. Develop nursing diagnoses relevant to patient with sensory alterations.
7. Determine interventions for preventing sensory deprivation and controlling sensory overload.
8. Recognize conditions in the healthcare agency or patient’s home that you can adjust to promote meaningful sensory stimulation.

Patient Safety

1. Recognize safety hazards for patients with sensory alterations.
2. Discuss the nurse’s role in protecting patient safety.
3. Identify nursing strategies to prevent injury to patients with sensory alterations.
4. Outline key teaching elements for patients at risk for injury related to sensory alterations.

Sleep

1. Explain the effect that the 24-hour sleep-wake cycle has on biological function.
2. Describe mechanisms that regulate sleep, the stages of sleep, and the normal sleep cycle.
3. Explain the functions of sleep.
4. Compare and contrast the sleep requirements of different age groups.
5. Identify factors that normally promote and disrupt sleep.
6. Discuss characteristics of common sleep disorders.
7. Conduct a sleep history for a patient.
8. Identify nursing diagnoses appropriate for patients with sleep alterations.
9. Identify nursing interventions designed to promote normal sleep cycles for patients of all ages.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 33 Activity
  • Ch. 34 Rest and Sleep
  • Ch. 44 Sensory Functioning

Content Outline

• Activity and exercise
• Sensory alteration
• Patient safety
• Sleep

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning
• System RN Fundamentals 1 Practice test.
• Students in groups use information in their books to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient with activity deficits or sensory alterations, including safety measures andanticipated teaching needed.
• Sensory alteration simulation
  (Cotton balls, glasses, gloves: Try to carry out a task such as being fed, having VS taken, learning a new skill, playing a game of checkers, etc.)

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
  • Ch. 26 Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness
  • Ch. 38 Rest & Sleep
  • Ch. 45 Sensory Perception

Assignments

• ATI Learning System RN Quiz
  
  • Communication Practice Quiz
• ATI Simulator Case 1
  • The Communicator- Client Discharge
• Assessment 2

Wound Care

1. Summarize the normal process of wound healing.
2. Compare and contrast wounds healing by primary and secondary intention.
3. Describe factors that impede and promote wound healing and their impact on health.
4. Explain potential complications of wound healing.
5. Differentiate between pressure ulcer and excoriation.
6. Identify different pressure ulcers using the staging system.
7. Recognize risk factors for pressure ulcers and associated preventative measures.
8. Develop nursing diagnoses for patients with impaired tissue integrity.
9. Describe nursing interventions for acute and chronic wounds.
10. Design a teaching plan for a patient with actual or potential impaired tissue integrity.
11. Develop evaluation criteria for patients with impaired skin integrity.

Bowel Elimination

1. Summarize the role of gastrointestinal organs in digestion and elimination.
2. State three main functions of the large intestine.
3. Outline the physiological aspects of normal defecation.
4. Describe characteristics of normal and abnormal feces.
5. Identify psychological and physiological factors that influence the elimination process.
6. Describe common physiological alterations in elimination.
7. List criteria for the assessment of bowel elimination.
8. Formulate nursing diagnoses related to alterations in elimination.
9. Explain common diagnostic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract and the nurse’s role related to them.
10. List nursing interventions that promote normal elimination; include bowel training.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 32 Skin Integrity and Wound Care
  • Ch. 38 Bowel Elimination

• Wound care
• Bowel elimination
• Drug therapy for constipation
  • Fiber supplements: psyllium (Metamucil)
  • Stool softeners: docusate sodium (Colace), docusate sodium and senna (Peri-Colace)
  • Stimulant laxatives: bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
  • Drug therapy for diarrhea
  • Opioids: diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil), loperamide (Imodium)

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning System RN
• Fundamentals 1 Practice test
• Students in groups use information in their books to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient with a wound, including anticipated teaching needed.
• Review ATI Real Life RN Medical Surgical (30–60 minutes)
  • C- Diff

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
• Ch. 55 Pressure Ulcers, Wounds, & Wound Management
• Ch. 43 Bowel Elimination

Assignments

• ATI Learning System RN Quiz
  • Fundamentals 2 Practice Quiz
• Midterm Exam

Medical Administration

1. Outline the physiological mechanisms of medication action: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of medications.
2. Explain developmental factors that influence pharmacokinetics and their impact on medication administration.
3. Compare and contrast the roles of prescriber, pharmacist, and nurse in medication administration.
4. Describe how medication actions and side effects impact patient assessments prior to medication administration.
5. Formulate nursing diagnoses pertinent to the patient receiving prescribed medication.
6. Discuss factors that influence medication actions and nursing actions to address these.
7. Identify factors influencing routes of medication administration.
8. Describe nursing actions to prevent medication errors, including the six rights of medication administration
9. Calculate prescribed medication doses accurately.
10. Create a patient teaching plan about prescribed medications.
11. Select evaluation criteria to assess a patient’s response to medications.

Alternative Therapies

• Differentiate between complementary and alternative therapies.
• Describe the clinical applications of alternative therapies.
• Describe the methods of and the psychophysiological responses to therapeutic touch.
• Describe safe and unsafe herbal therapies.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 28 Complementary and Integrative Health
  • Ch. 29 Medication

Content Outline

• Medication administration
• Alternative therapies

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning
• System RN Fundamentals 1 Practice test.
• Students in groups use information in their drug guides to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient given a specific medication including anticipated teaching needed.

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
  • Ch. 42 Complementary & Alternative Therapies
  • Ch. 46 Pharmacokinetics & Routes of Administration
• Pharmacokinetics & Routes of Administration
  • Ch. 47 Safe Medication Administration & Error Reduction
  • Ch. 48 Dosage Calculation
  • Ch. 50 Adverse Effects, Interactions, & Contraindications
  • Ch. 51 Individual Considerations of Medication Administration

Assignments

• Assessment 3
  

Nutrition

1. Explain the role of the nurse related to patient nutrition.
2. Identify basic elements of a nutritional assessment.
3. Calculate intake by calories, percentage eaten, and liquid volume correctly.
4. Define the terms food allergy, food intolerance, and food preference.
5. Discuss the components and proportions of a balanced diet.
6. Describe common types of patient diets and their indications.
7. Differentiate between thick liquid, full liquid, and clear liquid diets.
8. Develop nursing diagnoses related to nutrition.
9. Recognize factors that lead to inadequate nutritional intake.
10. Describe nursing interventions to address patient nutritional problems.

Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

1. Summarize the distribution, composition, movement, and regulation of body fluids, and major electrolytes;
2. Outline the processes involved in acid-base balance.
3. Identify factors that affect normal fluid and electrolyte balance.
4. Describe common disturbances in fluid and electrolyte balances.
5. List critical elements of a clinical assessment for determining fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
6. Recall laboratory studies performed to identify fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
7. Construct nursing diagnoses for the patient with fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
8. Discuss nursing interventions for patients with fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
9. Explain the purpose and procedure for initiating and maintaining intravenous fluid therapy.
10. Calculate fluid intake correctly.
11. Determine evaluation criteria for a patient receiving care for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.

Urinary Elimination

1. Summarize the process of urination.
2. Identify factors that commonly influence urinary elimination.
3. List criteria for the assessment of urinary elimination.
4. Explain the nursing implications of common diagnostic tests of the urinary system.
5. State the characteristics of normal and abnormal urine.
6. Recognize common alterations in urinary elimination.
7. Develop nursing diagnoses appropriate for patients with alterations in urinary elimination.
8. Describe nursing measures to promote normal micturition and reduce episodes of incontinence.
9. Describe nursing measures to prevent urinary tract infection.
10. Compare and contrast two modalities of renal replacement therapy.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 40 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
  • Ch. 36 Nutrition
  • Ch. 37 Urinary Elimination

Content Outline

• Nutrition and hydration
• Drug therapy for nausea
  • Serotonin antagonists: ondansetron (Zofran)
  • Dopamine antagonists: prochlorperazine (Compazine)
  • Antihistamines: dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
  • Prokinetic: metoclopramide (Reglan)
  • Fluid and Electrolyte Balance
  • Bladder Elimination
  • Drug therapy for urinary incontinence/overactive bladder
    • Anticholinergics: oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)
  • Drug therapy for urinary retention
    • Cholinergics: bethanechol (Urecholine)

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning System RN
• Fundamentals 1 Practice test.
• Practice calculating intake by calories, percentage eaten, and liquid volume.
• Practice measuring and calculating output from the GI and urinary tracts.
  Students in groups use information in their books to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient with nutrition, hydration, or elimination alterations, including anticipated teaching needed.
• Review ATI The Communicator Technique Identifiers 1 & 2 (40 minutes)

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
  • Ch. 39 Nutrition & Oral Hydration
  • Ch. 44 Urinary Elimination
  • Ch. 54 Nasogastric Intubation & Enteral Feedings
  • Ch. 57 Fluid & Electrolyte Imbalances

Assignments

• Assessment 4
  

1. Outline the structure and function of the cardiopulmonary system.
2. Explain the physiological processes of ventilation, respiration, and perfusion.
3. Identify the clinical outcomes occurring as a result of hyperventilation, hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and altered cardiac output.
4. Discuss the effect of a patient’s level of health, age, lifestyle, and environment on oxygenation and perfusion.
5. Select nursing diagnoses for a patient with impaired oxygenation or perfusion.
6. Describe the nursing care interventions to promote oxygenation in the primary care, acute care, and restorative and continuing care settings.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 39 Oxygenation and Perfusion

Content Outline

• Oxygenation

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning System RN
• Fundamentals 1 Practice test
• Students in groups use information in their books to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient with oxygenation issues, including anticipated teaching needed

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
  • Ch. 53 Airway Management
• Review: Create a Focused Review based on the first attempt, and complete hours and assignments. Focused Review will be due in week 8.

Assignments

• Assessment 5
• ATI Practice Assessment
  • RN Fundamentals Online Practice A

Psychosocial Basis

1. Use a cultural assessment to identify significant values, beliefs, and practices of patients who are experiencing death, grief, and loss.
2. Explain the concept of family as patient and how it affects nursing practice.
3. Discuss the influence of spiritual practices on the health status of patients and nursing interventions designed to promote spiritual health.
4. Outline individual coping strategies to deal with the stress response.
5. Explain the nurse’s role in assisting patients to cope with stress.
6. Identify characteristics of a person experiencing grief.
7. Explain the nurse’s role when caring for patients who are experiencing loss, grief, or death.
8. Describe interventions for symptom management in patients at the end of life.
9. Identify ways to collaborate with family members and the interdisciplinary team to provide palliative care.
10. Differentiate between palliative care and hospice care.
11. Describe care of the body after death.
12. Discuss the nurse’s own grief experience when caring for dying patients and nurse self-care in grief and loss.

Reading

• Fundamentals of Nursing
  • Ch. 4 Health of the Individual, Family, and Community
  • Ch. 5 Cultural Diversity
  • Ch. 41 Self Concept
  • Ch. 42 Stress and Adaptation
  • Ch. 43 Loss, Grief, and Dying
  • Ch. 46 Spirituality

Content Outline

• Psychosocial
• Culture
• Family
• Spiritual health
• Loss, death, and grief
• Stress and coping

Specific Course Activities

• Discuss 5 NCLEX-style test questions related to class content from ATI Learning System RN
• Fundamentals 1 Practice test.
• Students in groups use information in their books to present the application of the nursing process for a case study patient with psychosocial issues.

ATI

• ATI Fundamentals RN Review Module (Chapters in ATI Book) Electonic version located on the Learn Tab
  • Ch. 33 Coping
  • Ch. 35 Cultural & Spiritual Nursing Care
  • Ch. 36 Grief, Loss, & Palliative Care

Assignments

• Assessment 6
• Focused Review Hours
  • After ATI Practice Assessment