This course is the first course in a two-course sequence to emphasize the continued development of caring behaviors through the use of the nursing process evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills. The student focuses on providing safe, quality, patient-centered care to the adult patient experiencing pathophysiologic alterations requiring surgical intervention. Learning experiences introduce the student to the pre-, intra- and postoperative role of the nurse, pain and wound management, surgical infections, and the effects of surgery on patients.
This course, using both lecture and clinical/laboratory practice, will further the students’ understanding of developing the skills required to provide patient-centered care in surgical nursing. Students will participate in pre-operative and post-operative patient care, outpatient evaluation of surgical candidates, surgical inpatient management, and documentation specific to surgical patients. Students will be exposed to common surgical procedures and the description, indications, contraindications, and complications of each. Students will also participate in interpreting diagnostic tests utilized in the general surgical environment and in understanding operating room protocol.