Course Overview
Adult Health Nursing II covers complex and critically ill patients requiring advanced nursing interventions. This course emphasizes ICU nursing, mechanical ventilation, hemodynamic monitoring, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), management of shock, multi-organ failure, and end-of-life care. Students develop competency in interpreting complex laboratory values, managing vasoactive medications, monitoring invasive lines, and recognizing early signs of deterioration. The course addresses the psychosocial needs of critically ill patients and their families, ethics at end-of-life, and quality palliative care. Evidence-based critical care nursing prepares students for complex patient management.
Learning Objectives
- Provide evidence-based care for critically ill patients with organ dysfunction
- Manage mechanical ventilation and interpret respiratory parameters
- Interpret hemodynamic monitoring and administer vasoactive agents appropriately
- Perform ACLS and manage cardiac emergencies
- Recognize shock states and implement corrective interventions
- Provide compassionate end-of-life and palliative care with family support
Lecture Topics
- Week 1: ICU Environment and Critical Care Nursing Roles
- Week 1: Mechanical Ventilation - Modes, Settings, and Troubleshooting
- Week 2: Hemodynamic Monitoring - Arterial Lines and Swan-Ganz Catheters
- Week 2: Vasoactive Medications and Inotropic Support
- Week 3: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Ventilator Management
- Week 3: Sepsis, Septic Shock, and SIRS Management
- Week 4: Cardiogenic Shock and Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Week 5: Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Protocols
- Week 5: Renal Failure and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
- Week 6: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and Coagulopathies
- Week 7: Palliative Care and End-of-Life Communication
- Week 8: Family Support and Ethical Issues in Critical Care
Course Quiz
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Flashcards
Resources
Critical Care Nursing (Urden, Stacy, Lough)
Comprehensive critical care textbook covering complex pathophysiology and advanced nursing interventions.
RequiredACLS Certification Course and Provider Manual
Official American Heart Association training and certification for Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols.
RequiredHemodynamic Monitoring Interpretation Tutorials
Interactive modules for learning PAC interpretation, cardiac output, SVR, and PVR calculations.
FreeNational Consensus Project for Palliative Care Guidelines
Evidence-based palliative care standards including quality of life, communication, and symptom management.
Free