AC6680 - The Acutely Ill Adult

On this module we will be using several learning and teaching strategies that are suitable for a variety of learners. Methods of teaching will include interactive lectures, seminars, and group work. This module will be delivered at Northumbria University by lecturers with specialist experience of nursing acutely ill patients. As qualified nurses you will be expected to actively participate in your learning by developing a learning contract and undertaking directed study. You will be expected to participate in class discussion and group work, share your own expertise and develop debate and make recommendations about important practice issues related to acute illness.

You will be supported by the module teacher who is a specialist critical care lecturer. You will meet the lecturer at the weekly study days and individual tutorials are available to you. Other lecturers may deliver dedicated sessions and they will also be available to support your learning. Contact with the module teacher is available in person, via telephone, email and the eLearning portal. Support for your learning is also offered via a 24 hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and the Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available online.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Undertake an assessment of the patient’s physiological needs and evaluate the significance of the assessment findings in relation to level 1 patients.
• Identify and robustly debate the factors which lead to psychological distress and propose potential strategies to alleviate the problems.
• Examine the factors which contribute to single organ failure in the acutely ill patient and explain the associated pathophysiology.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Critically discuss the importance of collaborative working when managing deterioration.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Examine the care/treatment received by the acutely ill Level 1 patient and critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence

Formative assessment will take the form of in-class tests to assess your level of knowledge and understanding gained from course materials.

The summative assessment strategy is designed to ensure that you have the knowledge to recognise, and provide appropriate care for patients in the early stages of acute illness. This will be achieved by submission of a 3000 word essay discussing the pathophysiology of an acute illness, and an exploration of the evidence base for the care and management of that illness. Feedback will be given electronically and will include development advice for future academic work.

“ To undertake this module you must hold a valid current professional registration” (i.e.: NMC / GMC / HCPC)

N/A

Patients admitted to hospital can deteriorate suddenly at any stage during their illness. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2009 and 2016) make explicit that this is an area of practice that requires improvement. This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and competence to recognise and manage deterioration. Level 1 care is defined as patients in need of additional monitoring/clinical interventions, clinical input or advice and possible critical care outreach involvement. The ICS (2009) make explicit that the location of the patient does not determine the level of care required. Therefore this module is designed for nurses working in all acute settings who care for acutely unwell patients. The module will provide you with an increased ability to recognise, assess and manage patients with acute illness. Subjects covered include relevant anatomy and physiology which will be facilitated by directed learning and the eLearning portal. A body systems approach will be used to explore some of the common presentations associated with acute illness and psychosocial care and the nursing role in patient safety will be considered. It is expected that this module will give you the knowledge to assess and manage the early phases of acute illness. Academic assessment is via submission of a 3000 word essay which will enable you to demonstrate the broad range of knowledge required when dealing with acute illness. This module can also be undertaken at Level 7.