I. General Information

1. Course Title:
Medical-Surgical Nursing I

2. Course Prefix & Number:
PNUR 1265

3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:

Credits: 5

Lecture Hours: 5

Lab Hours: 0

4. Course Description:

In this course a framework for nursing practice is explored. This framework, titled the nursing process, provides a systematic problem-solving method for nurses enabling them to identify and meet patient needs. Complex nursing procedures are discussed within this framework, as well as selected diseases of the various body systems. The role of nutrition in prevention of disease and its application in treatment of disease is included.

5. Placement Tests Required:

6. Prerequisite Courses:

9. Co-requisite Courses:

II. Transfer and Articulation

1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:

St. Cloud Technical College, PRSG 2401 Medical Surgical Nursing I, 3 credits
Ridgewater College, NURS 1000 Foundations of Nursing, 3 credits

III. Course Purpose

1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course fulfills a requirement for the following program(s):

Practical Nursing, Diploma

IV. Learning Outcomes

1. College-Wide Outcomes

College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies	Students will be able to:
Demonstrate oral communication skills	Work collaboratively in a small group to present to the class/instructor information on nutrients, vitamins, minerals and water.
Demonstrate written communication skills	Write a plan for teaching a client about a modified diet to complete Nursing Ability Sub-part 5K; will provide for a patient’s need to know by giving, translating, or transmitting information.
Apply abstract ideas to concrete situations	Apply nursing theory to scenarios presented in the classroom.
Apply ethical principles in decision-making	Apply ethical principles in decision making through determining the minnesota practical nurse scope of practice, assessed in a quiz
Work as a team member to achieve shared goals	Actively participate in classroom group activities to identify and enhance learning objectives.

2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of the course:

• Distinguish the roles and responsibilities of the practical nurse related to the health illness continuum
• Recognize the professional, ethical and legal framework in the scope of practice of the practical nurse
• Demonstrate ability to consistently provide a safe and effective care environment to adult patients
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize the nursing process in the collection of data, identification of patient problems, and the development of nursing interventions from classroom scenarios
• Demonstrate critical thinking skills utilizing the nursing process
• Demonstrate communication patterns that serve to enhance interpersonal relationships with patients, peers, instructors and members of the health care team.
• Describe and demonstrate the various elements of documentation (narrative, focus and PIE)
• Describe hot and cold therapies, and discuss appropriate applications based on patients' problems and/or conditions
• Explain the importance of  fluid and electrolyte therapy
• Describe the LPN role in IV therapy and IV therapy complications
• Describe factors influencing changes in the health-care delivery systems and the role of quality improvement and safety in patient care
• Explain pain management and types of analgesics
• Describe the components of preoperative, intraoperative (methods of anesthesia), and post-operative patient care
• Recognize the upper and lower respiratory disorders, treatments and nursing management
• Recognize common skin conditions, treatments and nursing management
• Describe carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals and their functions
• Describe common disorders of the blood and lymphatic systems and their treatments
• Explain oncological diagnostic tests, oncological treatment and nursing management
• Identify drug classification and medication therapies for each body system discussed in this course

V. Topical Outline

Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.

1. Lecture Sessions

1. Nurse Practice Act and Scope of Practice
• PN scope of practice
• Minnesota’s Board of Nursing-Role and Rule regulation
2. Nursing Process
• Components
• Role of the PN
3. Communication and Recording/Documentation
• Types of shift report
• Documentation formats/ do’s and don’ts
4. Fluid & Electrolyte therapy
• Electrolytes and their role in homeostasis
• Fluid imbalances
• Arterial Blood Gasses
5. Hot and Cold Therapy
• Implications and contraindications
• Types of treatment modalities
6. Death Care
• Signs and Symptoms of Impending Death
• Nursing Care of the Dead
• Documentation
7. Therapy
• Reasons for IV Therapy
• Types of Administration Routes
• Monitoring/ Clinical signs of Complications
8. Nutrition
• Healthy Lifestyles
• Carbohydrates, Proteins, Lipids and Digestion, Vitamins and Minerals
9. Perioperative Nursing:
• Roles of the surgical nurse
• Care and management of the surgical patient
• Prevention of surgical complications
• Pain assessment and management
10. Integumentary Disorders
• Treatment and Nursing Management of selected disorders
• Administration of medications for integumentary disorders
11. Respiratory Disorders
• Treatment and Nursing Management
• Administration of medications for selected respiratory disorders
12. Hemopoietic and Lymphatic Disorders,
• Treatment and Nursing Management
• Laboratory testing and management of B & L Disorders
• Administration of medications for prevention and treatment of selected conditions
13. Oncology Disorders
• Treatment and Nursing Management
• Common laboratory diagnostics and radiological procedures
• Administration of medications for treatment and management of complications and selected conditions