Diagnosis and Procedures II

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) are educated to manage patients with acute and critical illness. A component of that management includes the performance of invasive and non-invasive diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to help monitor patients, diagnose problems, treat complex diseases and improve outcomes within a interdisciplinary healthcare team approach. Using Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, Kohl’s experiential learning theory, quality improvement principles and a problem-based learning pedagogy, AGACNP students will perform necessary diagnostic tests, procedures and interventions in accordance with best practices and quality evidence as part of the holistic and safe treatment of complex, acutely ill/critically ill patients. Preparation for each procedure will include a review of the attendant risks/benefit profiles as well as anticipation of expected outcomes and possible complications. Ethical and legal principles of providing informed consent to each patient prior to the procedure will be emphasized as a patient safety issue. AGACNP students will conduct appropriate monitoring for potential expected and unexpected complications associated with the particular procedure and will lead the team in the emergency management of any complication. To acquire these advanced procedural skill sets, each student will have multiple opportunities to practice these skills in the Clinical Simulation Learning Center (CSLC). The course will culminate with each student demonstrating his/her entry-level competence of certain selected procedures.