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NSC305Health Sciences3 Unitsintermediate

Medical Surgical Nursing I

This course is the first in a series of four Medical Surgical Nursing courses. It aims to enhance your understanding of medical-surgical nursing principles, concepts, and theories. It also explores nursing models and theories used in current care planning. The course covers diverse medical-surgical conditions and includes theoretical, laboratory, and clinical practice components over 15 weeks. It aims to improve the quality of care given to patients with medical or surgical conditions.

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208h
Study Time
13
Weeks
16h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
Medical-Surgical NursingNursing TheoriesPatient CareFluid BalanceInfectious Diseases

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Nursing Theories

2

Nutrition

3

Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

4

Shock

5

Stress

6

Infectious Diseases

7

Surgical Care

8

Trauma

9

Inflammation

10

Immune System

Total Topics10 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (5 methods)

Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Tutor-Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Computer Marked Assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Laboratory Practical Sessions and Reports

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Final Examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Registered Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Medical-Surgical Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Critical Care Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Emergency Room Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Operating Room Nurse

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

HospitalsClinicsLong-Term Care FacilitiesHome Health AgenciesRehabilitation Centers

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing

4h

Unit 1: The Context of Care – Principles, Concepts and Theories of Nursing Care

2 study hours
  • •Read the unit introduction to understand the context of care.
  • •Define nursing and discuss its principles.
  • •Explain the concepts of health, wellness, and illness.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment and self-assessment exercise.

Unit 2: Models of Nursing Care Delivery

2 study hours
  • •Explore different models of nursing care delivery.
  • •Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each model.
  • •Discuss how these models inform current nursing practice.
  • •Relate these models to real-world healthcare settings.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 3: Nursing Process

3 study hours
  • •Understand the steps of the nursing process.
  • •Apply the nursing process to patient scenarios.
  • •Practice formulating nursing diagnoses and planning interventions.
  • •Complete the self-assessment exercise.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 4: Critical Thinking in Nursing Practice

3 study hours
  • •Define critical thinking and its importance in nursing.
  • •Analyze case studies to apply critical thinking skills.
  • •Discuss ethical considerations in nursing practice.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
4

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 1: Nutrition

3 study hours
  • •Review the nutrients in foods and their roles in the body.
  • •Discuss the chemical composition of nutrients.
  • •Explain the energy-yielding nutrients and their sources.
  • •Perform a nutrition assessment of individuals.
Week
5

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

4h

Unit 2: Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

4 study hours
  • •Explain the distribution of body water and the role of electrolytes.
  • •Discuss the regulation of body fluid compartments.
  • •Describe the homeostatic mechanisms involved in fluid balance.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
6

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

4h

Unit 3: Shock

4 study hours
  • •Define shock and its classification.
  • •Explain the pathophysiology of shock and its stages.
  • •Discuss the complications of shock.
  • •Complete the self-assessment exercise.
Week
7

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 4: Stress

3 study hours
  • •Define stress and its relationship to adaptation.
  • •Identify common reactions to stress and maladaptive responses.
  • •Discuss indicators of stress and stress management techniques.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
8

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 5: Temperature Control

3 study hours
  • •Explain the mechanisms of temperature control.
  • •Discuss factors that increase and decrease heat production.
  • •Describe the causes, clinical manifestations, and management of hypothermia and hyperthermia.
  • •Complete the self-assessment exercise.
Week
9

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

4h

Unit 6: Pain

4 study hours
  • •Describe the pathophysiology of pain.
  • •Discuss pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for pain relief.
  • •Apply the nursing process to patients experiencing pain.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
10

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 7: Sleep

3 study hours
  • •Define sleep and describe its stages.
  • •Discuss the theories of sleep and the sleep-wakefulness cycle.
  • •Explain the physiological effects of sleep.
  • •Complete the self-assessment exercise.
Week
11

Module 2: Fundamentals of Medical Surgical Nursing

3h

Unit 8: Skin Care and Wound management

3 study hours
  • •Discuss skin integrity and the types of wounds.
  • •Explain factors influencing wound healing.
  • •Describe how to care for the skin and manage wounds.
  • •Complete the tutor-marked assignment.
Week
12

Module 3: Caring for Patients with Special Needs

4h

Unit 1: Care of the Client Having Surgery

4 study hours
  • •Discuss physical and psychosocial needs of surgical patients.
  • •Explain the phases of surgical patient care.
  • •Provide preoperative physical and psychological care.
  • •Complete the self-assessment exercise.
Week
13

Module 4: The Immune System and Care of Patients with Infectious Diseases

4h

Unit 2: Caring for Patients with Infectious Diseases

4 study hours
  • •Describe the management of Angel, a 6 year old girl, who presented in the unit with severe prostration, hyperpyrexia (Temp. 38.7oC), and one episode of convulsion prior presentation, using the nursing process model.
  • •Describe the chain of infection.
  • •List the signs and symptoms of infection.
  • •Describe the management of a patient who has infection.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking Units 2-3 fluid/electrolyte balance to renal function.

2

Practice care planning for shock scenarios from Units 3-4 weekly.

3

Review medication side effects from Units 5-6 related to immune response.

4

Focus on surgical procedures and post-op care from Units 7-8.

5

Study infection control protocols from Units 9-10 weekly.

6

Use case studies from Units 11-12 to apply palliative care principles.

7

Review all TMAs and CMAs

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