MAABI4100 Being Acute and/or Critically Ill Course description

In this course, the students are expected to acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of the experiences, reactions and coping strategies of patients and next of kin in connection with acute and/or critical illness and examinations, treatment and death. Emphasis is placed on understanding important patient phenomena including pain, anxiety, hope, suffering, quality of life and dignity in an age-related and multicultural perspective. Students are expected to further develop their self-understanding and improve their ability to interact with people who are acutely and/or critically ill. Knowledge gained through this course will form a necessary basis for students being able to provide guidance to patients and caregivers in relation to their experience of and reactions to acute and/or critical illness. This knowledge will also be necessary to enable students to process their own reactions to events and provide guidance to colleagues in relation to their experiences and reactions.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of patients' psychosocial and existential needs in connection with acute and/or critical illness
• has in-depth knowledge of coping strategies in connection with acute and/or critical illness and death
• has in-depth knowledge of the experiences and needs of next of kin
• has in-depth knowledge of family-oriented care
• has in-depth knowledge of multicultural competence in nursing

Skills

The student

• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to theories on patients' psychosocial and existential needs in connection with acute and/or critical illness in an age-related and multicultural perspective
• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to existing theories on coping and coping strategies in connection with acute and/or critical illness and death
• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to existing theories on the experiences and needs of next of kin and the bereaved

Competence

The student

• is capable of analysing relevant ethical issues linked to attending to the psychosocial needs of acutely and/or critically ill or dying patients

Lectures and self-study.

None.

Written home exam in groups of 3-4 students, 3 days. The students are to discuss a method or theory for coping with mental stress and the patient role in connection with acute and/or critical illness. Scope: 3,000 words (+/- 20%). The exam paper must be written in accordance with the section Assessment of written work in the Assessment chapter of the programme description.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

In this course, the students are expected to acquire in-depth knowledge of how organs and organ systems function in relation to each other and how pathophysiological processes and medical conditions start and develop. This knowledge forms a necessary basis for the students' ability to observe, assess and identify symptoms in relevant patient groups.

Knowledge about the effects and side effects of drugs and an understanding of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles will help to enable students to administer advanced pharmacological treatments in a professionally sound manner.

Students need knowledge about advanced medical treatment of failure of vital functions in connection with medical and surgical conditions in order to be able to take part in, perform and monitor advanced medical treatment and prevent complications from occurring during treatment.

The immune system of acutely and/or critically ill patients is weakened, leaving them particularly susceptible to nosocomial infections. To be able to care for acutely and/or critically ill patients, the students must acquire in-depth knowledge of the life of microorganisms, their virulence and how infection is transferred, as well as infection prevention work.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of how organs and organ systems function and how pathophysiological processes and medical conditions start, develop and are observed and treated
• has in-depth knowledge of the life of microorganisms, their virulence and how infection is transferred, as well as infection prevention work in connection with acute and critical illness
• has in-depth knowledge of pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic principles
• has in-depth knowledge of the effects and side effects of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of acutely and critically ill patients
• has in-depth knowledge of the laws and regulations that regulate the use of medical equipment so that they can use such equipment in a safe and satisfactory manner and prevent patient injury

Skills

The student

• is capable of analysing and taking a critical approach to existing theories on pathophysiological processes and medical conditions