To explore by observation, questioning and practice aspects of the high dependency environment.

Objectives

By the completion of the semester students will be able to:

• Apply previous knowledge and skills to the high dependency environment
• Acquire an understanding of the high dependency environment, the team and the specific responsibilities of the nurse
• Acquire an understanding of the monitoring of the high dependency patient
• Acquire an understanding of the issues surrounding the patient's family and significant others
• Understand appropriate terminology used in the high dependency area
• Develop an understanding of specific diagnostic investigations
• Consolidate clinical skills
• Improve time management skills
• Consolidate documentation

Unit Structure

Each week students in this elective will attend the following:

• 1 X 1 hour tutorial
• 1 X 2 hour workshop or equivalent (see explanation below) = total 14 hours
• 1 X 2 hour nursing laboratory

Workshop Activities

Each student will have the opportunity to experience the high dependency environment at St Vincent's, North Shore Public, and North Shore Private for a period of 3-4 hours on one occasion over the semester. This experience will happen on Monday and Tuesday mornings commencing at 8-9am until 12MD. Students will undertake this experience in groups of two-seven and will be allocated for these visits during week 1 tutorial.  For the remaining workshop allocation of hours students will be required to complete independent work in the form of a workbook and assignment. Students will be required to access and complete the nursing laboratory activities from the Virtual Health Environment and practice in their independent practice time.

Assessment Component for High Dependency Elective

1. Workbook, due Friday 28th September.  Weighting: 10%
2. Assignment, due Friday 28th September.  Weighting: 25%

1. Workbook

This workbook has been designed to assist and guide you throughout your clinical experience in the high dependency area. There will also be a series of questions for you to answer to assist you in highlighting key components at each stage of your experience. You should try to answer these questions but you may also like to ask the staff to help you. You are required to bring your workbook to the tutorial following your clinical experience.  To access and print the workbook click on the following link: Workbook

2. Assignment: Word limit-1500 words

Choose one of the following medical conditions that require high dependency management:
1. Acute congestive cardiac failure
2. Acute myocardial infarction
3. Acute respiratory failure
4. Head injury/Intracerebral haematoma/brain tumour
5. Major Burn
6. Other topics by negotiation

• You will need to investigate this medical condition and discuss treatment options found in the literature (overview).
• You will be required to outline the normal anatomy and the associated pathology resulting in the medical condition you are researching
• Any special tests the patient requires for diagnosis and the nursing responsibilities associated with these tests
• Discuss the invasive monitoring that is necessary for this patient and the associated nursing responsibilities
• Outline the surgical procedure and/or course of management
• You should also discuss possible complications
• Discuss 2 drugs that may be used for treatment and possible side effects.
• Discuss the impact that technology in the high dependency area may have on the patient /significant others
• Write a plan of care prioritising 5 patient problems or potential problems (you must include nursing diagnosis, goals, interventions and rationales in care plan format)
• Discuss any educational needs for discharge of this patient
• You must use at minimum 4 references for this assignment using APA referencing or you will receive 0 marks for this assignment.

Left click on the following link to access the Assessment Marking Criteria