Course Title: Advanced Concepts in Critical Care Nursing

Course Duration: 15 weeks

Course Overview:
The Advanced Concepts in Critical Care Nursing course is designed to provide fourth-year
nursing students with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and skills
required to excel in the fast-paced and challenging field of critical care nursing. The course will
cover advanced assessment, interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration necessary to care
for critically ill patients across various healthcare settings.

Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate a profound understanding of critical care nursing principles and their application in
clinical practice.
Perform comprehensive assessments of critically ill patients, considering physiological,
psychological, and environmental factors.
Apply evidence-based interventions and therapies to manage complex critical care situations.
Utilize advanced communication and collaboration skills to work effectively within
interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
Analyze ethical and legal dilemmas commonly encountered in critical care settings.
Develop critical thinking skills to make prompt and accurate clinical decisions under pressure.
Demonstrate safe medication administration and management of critical care equipment.
Provide holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of critically
ill patients and their families.
Develop cultural competence in critical care nursing to provide patient-centered care to diverse
populations.
Course Outline:

Week 1-2: Introduction to Critical Care Nursing

Definition and scope of critical care nursing
Historical evolution of critical care units
Characteristics of critically ill patients
Overview of common critical care settings (ICU, CCU, PACU, etc.)
Introduction to advanced monitoring equipment
Week 3-4: Advanced Assessment in Critical Care

Comprehensive physical assessment techniques

Assessment of vital signs and hemodynamic parameters
Interpretation of diagnostic tests and laboratory values
Neurological assessment in critical care
Week 5-6: Pharmacology in Critical Care

Drug classifications commonly used in critical care

Safe administration of high-alert medications
Calculation of medication dosages for critically ill patients
Management of medication interactions and adverse reactions
Week 7-8: Multisystem Alterations and Interventions

Respiratory system dysfunction and mechanical ventilation

Cardiovascular system disorders and hemodynamic support
Renal and gastrointestinal system alterations
Endocrine and metabolic imbalances in critical care
Week 9-10: Complex Care Scenarios

Sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and septic shock

Trauma and emergency management in critical care
Burn injuries and wound care
Neurological emergencies and intracranial pressure management
Week 11-12: Ethical and Legal Issues in Critical Care

Patient autonomy and informed consent

Advance directives and end-of-life care
Legal implications of critical care nursing practice
Ethical dilemmas related to resource allocation
Week 13-14: Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Communication

Effective communication within the healthcare team

Role clarification and collaboration among healthcare professionals
Family-centered care and communication with patients' families
De-escalation techniques for managing patient and family conflicts
Week 15: Review and Simulation

Comprehensive review of course content

Simulation-based practice of critical care scenarios
Case studies and group discussions
Final assessment and reflection on the course
Assessment Methods:

Quizzes and Examinations: Regular quizzes to assess understanding of concepts, and

comprehensive examinations to evaluate overall knowledge.
Case Studies and Group Presentations: Application of theoretical knowledge to practical
scenarios.
Clinical Skills Evaluation: Demonstrating proficiency in critical care nursing skills through
simulation and practical assessments.
Written Assignments: Ethical dilemmas analysis, research papers on advanced critical care
topics, and reflective journals.
Participation and Engagement: Active participation in class discussions, group activities, and
peer teaching sessions.