STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Identify common health problems and trends in health care.

 II.     Discuss roles and functions of the health professionals and supportive personnel.

 III.    Apply patient care principles to nursing action and procedures.

 IV.     Develop care plans for patient care.

 V.      Demonstrate knowledge in assessing, planning, administering, and evaluating individualized.

 VI.     Identify the characteristics of drug information resources.

 VII.    Discuss laws regulating drugs and record keeping.

 VIII.   Translate medication orders accurately.

 IX.     List the `five rights` of medication administration.

 X       Compute drug dosages safely.

 XI.     Explain drug interactions as well as physical and chemical incompatibilities of drugs in patient care.

 XII.    Explore needs of the IV patient:  placement, monitoring, and management of IV medication.

 XIII.   Describe physiological mechanisms responsible for managing alterations in fluid/electrolyte acid-base imbalances.

 XIV.    Describe mechanisms of acid-base balance in the body.

 XV.     Describe distribution of body fluids and electrolytes in the body.

 XVI.    Describe major causes of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances and their clinical manifestations.

 XVII.   Describe assessment and nursing management of patients with actual or potential electrolyte imbalance.

 XVIII.  Differentiate among simple, compensated or acute, and chronic respiratory or metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.

 XIX.    Compare cause, treatment and nursing management of acidosis and alkalosis.

 XX      Identify ten steps in performing venipuncture.

 XXI.    Describe intravenous complications and nursing management.

 XXII.   List three safety factors associated with CVP monitoring.

 XXIII.  List four types of blood administration reactions and six signs and symptoms of each.

 XXIV.   Illustrate the nurses` action for blood administration reactions.

 XXV.    Illustrate benefits/risks of central lines and their care.

 XXVI.   Describe the main structure and function of each system.

 XXVII.  Identify factors that alter the function of each system.

 XXVIII. Identify essential components of each system.

 XXIX.   Discuss nursing interventions used to protect patients.

 XXX     Discuss use of pharmacological agents in the management of the patient with any disorder.

 XXXI.   Describe procedures and tests used in diagnosis and detection of disorders of each system.

 XXXII.  Discuss screening procedures for early detection of problems within each system.

 XXXIII. Describe the complementary medicine providers available.

 XXXIV.  Identify resources available.

 XXXV.   Discuss nursing management for patients practicing alternatives in traditional medicine use.

 XXXVI.  Discuss how complimentary and traditional medicine can work together.

 XXXVII. Discuss main line uses of complementary medicine techniques.

 XXXVIII.Recognize cardiac arrest and utilize cardiopulmonary resuscitation measures.

 XXXIX.  List and define four types of loss and grief.

 XL      Describe effects of impending death on the patient, family, and the nurse or caregiver.

 XLI.    Discuss nursing process in relation to care of a dying patient.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      UNIT I Changes in Health and Nursing Practices

 II.     UNIT II Patient Care, Principles and Practice

         A.      Presents patient care principles and practices.  Application of principles is demonstrated in measures to care for patients with common health problems.  New and current techniques and equipment are introduced.

         B.      Units I and II include community, maternal-child health care, and mental health concepts.

 III.    UNIT III The Licensed Practical Nurse

         A.      Presents the role and responsibilities of the LPN and opportunities for positions in nursing.