Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 12/11/01
NUR161PN 20022-20055	LEC	5 Credit(s)	5 Period(s)
Nursing Process and Critical Thinking I
Overview of nursing concepts and theories focusing on meeting basic human needs across the life span based on the wellness/illness continuum within the practical nurse scope of practice. Includes concepts of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology of selected disease processes, microbiology, and nutrition as foundations of nursing care. Theoretical concepts focus on care of the well client, elder client, and clients with selected alterations in health and psychological/ mental health disorders. Emphasis on the role of the practical nurse in the nursing care plan utilizing established nursing diagnoses. Focus on the development of the critical thinking process related to nursing care of clients in acute care and community settings. Prerequisites: Admission into the Fast Track Practical Nursing Program.

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
NUR161PN   20022-20055	Nursing Process and Critical Thinking I

1.	Describe the phases of the nursing process. (I)
2.	Demonstrate methods and techniques in which caring is communicated in the nurse- client relationship. (II)
3.	Identify critical thinking skills and attitudes necessary to make reasonable decisions within the practice of nursing. (III)
4.	Explain concepts of holism as it applies to client care. (IV)
5.	Describe standards of care that safeguard the client's health and well being. (V)
6.	Describe basic concepts of life span development. (VI)
7.	Describe the special considerations of care for elder clients. (VII)
8.	Apply the nursing process to the care of elder clients. (VII)
9.	Describe the anatomy and physiology of selected body systems. (VIII)
10.	Describe scientific principles that provide the foundation to safe nursing care. (IX)
11.	Describe the pathophysiology of selected disease processes. (X)
12.	Utilize principles of nutrition and clinical nutrition in the plan of care for clients across the lifespan. (XI)
13.	Describe community based nursing care. (XII)
14.	Apply the nursing process to the care of clients with selected psychological/mental health disorders. (XIII)
15.	Apply the nursing process to the care of clients across the life span with health alterations in acute and community settings. (XIV)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
NUR161PN   20022-20055	Nursing Process and Critical Thinking I

I. Nursing Process: Developing a Plan of Care A. Assessment B. Nursing diagnosis C. Planning D. Implementation E. Evaluation II. Caring A. Principles of therapeutic communication B. Nurse-client relationships C. Guidelines for conducting a clinical interview D. Relationship issues III. Critical Thinking A. Elements of critical thinking B. Factors affecting critical thinking ability C. Communication strategies to enhance critical thinking D. Application to the nursing process IV. Holism A. Bio-psycho-social health perspective B. Wellness/illness continuum C. Integration of holism D. Holistic health care V. Safe Nursing Practice A. American Nursing Association (ANA) standards of care B. Documentation guidelines VI. Life Span Development A. Basic human needs B. Developmental theory C. Family life cycle D. Altered growth and development E. Health care across the life span VII. Nursing Care for Elderly Clients A. Theories of aging B. Gerontological variation and adaptation C. Response to illness D. Nursing process application VIII. Anatomy and Physiology A. Immune System B. Respiratory System C. Musculoskeletal System D. Integumentary System E. Renal System IX. Scientific Principles A. Asepsis B. Fluid Balance C. Acid-base balance X. Pathophysiological Concepts A. Infectious Disorders B. Pain Management C. Sleep And Rest D. Acute Injury/Inflammation E. Altered Immune Response F. Fluid And Electrolyte Imbalance G. Acid-Base Imbalance H. Urinary Elimination I. Oxygenation And Ventilation J. Movement And Coordination K. Altered Skin Integrity And Wound Healing XI. Nutrition A. Nutrition in health B. Nutrition in illness XII. Community Based Nursing Care A. Definition of community based nursing B. Role of the nurse C. Community based settings and resources XIII. Nursing Care for Clients with Psychological/Mental Health Disorders A. Adaptation: stress, anxiety, and coping B. Grief, mourning, and loss C. Depression D. Cognitive disorders E. Anger and aggression F. Dynamics of abuse G. Substance abuse disorder H. Nurse's reaction to substance abuse XIV. Nursing Care for Clients Across the Life Span with Alterations in Health A. Principles of Nursing Care 1. Asepsis 2. Pain management 3. Sleep and rest 4. Perioperative B. Clients with identified alterations in health 1. Infectious disorders 2. Acute injury/inflammation 3. Altered immune response 4. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances 5. Acid-base imbalance 6. Oxygenation and ventilation 7. Movement and coordination 8. Altered skin integrity and wound healing 9. Cancer

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