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Health Alterations integrates foundational nursing concepts from Open RN Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Skills, and Nursing Pharmacology while applying the nursing process to caring for clients across the lifespan with common health conditions. Nursing assessments, evidence-based nursing interventions, and multidisciplinary collaborative care are emphasized. Each chapter features brief “RN Recap” video overviews of common health alterations to enhance students’ clinical understanding. Nursing leadership and management concepts for entry-level nurses are also introduced. Content is applied to patient care with interactive learning activities that include flashcards, quiz questions, virtual simulations, and NCLEX Next Generation-style case studies. This resource was developed by a team of nursing faculty to bridge theory and practice and prepare student nurses to provide safe, effective patient care in diverse healthcare settings.
Course Competency 1: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients undergoing surgery (peri-operative)
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning care for perioperative clients
- Summarize the nurse’s role across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases
- Apply peri-operative standards of care to ensure compliance with legal requirements for nursing practice
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with preoperative and postoperative considerations
- Adapt peri-operative care to meet a surgical client’s gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients in the peri-operative setting
- Utilize pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies in creating individualized peri-operative care plans
Course Competency 2: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations in the musculoskeletal system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for musculoskeletal system disorders
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in managing care for clients with musculoskeletal system disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common musculoskeletal system disorders and its implications for nursing care
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with musculoskeletal system disorders
- Adapt nursing care to meet a client’s gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Utilize pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies in creating individualized plans for clients with musculoskeletal system disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with musculoskeletal system disorders
- Apply common laboratory and diagnostic test results used in the assessment and management of musculoskeletal system disorders
Course Competency 3: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations in the cardiovascular system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for cardiovascular system disorders
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in managing care for clients with cardiovascular system disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common cardiovascular system disorders and its implications for nursing care
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with cardiovascular system disorders
- Adapt nursing care to meet a client’s gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with cardiovascular system disorders
- Utilize pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies in creating individualized plans for clients with cardiovascular system disorders
- Apply common laboratory and diagnostic test results used in the assessment and management of cardiovascular system disorders
Course Competency 4: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations in the respiratory system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for respiratory system disorders
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in managing care for clients with respiratory system disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common respiratory system disorders and its implications for nursing care
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with respiratory system disorders
- Adapt nursing care to meet a client’s gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Utilize pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies in creating individualized plans for clients with respiratory system disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with respiratory system disorders
Course Competency 5: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations with autoimmune and malignancy disorders
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for autoimmune and malignancy disorders
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in managing care for clients with autoimmune and malignancy disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common autoimmune and malignancy disorders and its implications for nursing care
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with autoimmune and malignancy disorders
- Adapt nursing care to meet a client’s gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Utilize pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies in creating individualized plans for clients with autoimmune and malignancy disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with autoimmune and malignancy disorders
Course Competency 6: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations in hematology
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for hematology disorders
- Describe nursing roles and responsibilities in managing care for clients with hematology disorders
- Explain nursing responsibilities for the safe administration and monitoring of blood products
- Apply the pathophysiology of common hematology disorders to inform nursing care
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with hematology disorders
- Adapt nursing care to address clients’ gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies into individualized care plans for clients with hematology disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with hematology disorders
Course Competency 7: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations of the nervous system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for nervous system disorders
- Describe nursing roles and responsibilities in managing care for clients with nervous system disorders
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with nervous system disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common nervous system disorders to inform nursing care
- Adapt nursing care to address clients’ gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies into individualized care plans for clients with nervous system disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with nervous system disorders
Course Competency 8: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations of endocrine system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for endocrine system disorders
- Describe nursing roles and responsibilities in managing care for clients with endocrine disorders
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with endocrine disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common endocrine disorders to inform nursing care
- Adapt nursing care to address clients’ gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies into individualized care plans for clients with endocrine disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with endocrine disorders
Course Competency 9: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations of the gastrointestinal system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for gastrointestinal system disorders
- Describe nursing roles and responsibilities in managing care for clients with gastrointestinal disorders
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with gastrointestinal disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common gastrointestinal disorders to inform nursing care
- Adapt nursing care to address clients’ gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies into individualized care plans for clients with gastrointestinal disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with gastrointestinal disorders
Course Competency 10: Contribute to the plan of nursing care for clients with alterations of the renal and urinary system
Learning Objectives:
- Apply evidence-based practice when participating in the planning of client care for renal and urinary system disorders
- Describe nursing roles and responsibilities in managing care for clients with renal and urinary system disorders
- Discuss lifespan considerations when planning and delivering care for clients with renal and urinary system disorders
- Apply the pathophysiology of common renal and urinary system disorders to inform nursing care
- Adapt nursing care to address clients’ gender, psychosocial, and cultural needs
- Incorporate pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies into individualized care plans for clients with renal and urinary system disorders
- Use effective therapeutic communication techniques to support clients with renal and urinary system disorders
Course Competency 11: Apply leadership principles to facilitate the transition from student to practicing nurse
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the steps required to obtain a nursing credential
- Describe common leadership styles, and the actions associated with each
- Explain methods of conflict resolution within a team
- Discuss the responsibilities of each nursing team member in alignment with the State Nurse Practice Act
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