Nursing Practice 6: Management of Deteriorating Patient

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2026/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Health and Wellbeing

Unit Title:

Nursing Practice 6: Management of Deteriorating Patient

Unit ID:

NURBN3030

Credit Points:

30.00

Prerequisite(s):

(NURBN2015 or NURBN2026) (NURBN2011 or NURBN2022) (At least 210 credit points from program HL5 or HN5)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

Nil

ASCED:

060301

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

This unit continues to develop the ability of the student to conduct a comprehensive and systematic person-centred assessment with a particular focus on recognising and responding to clinical deterioration in line with the current Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards. Recognising that patient deterioration occurs in a variety of clinical environments students will develop skills and confidence in working collaboratively with their peers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team to develop plans of care as well as mechanisms of comprehensive assessment, prioritisation, coordination, evaluation and monitoring of patient progress towards the expected goals and outcomes for various contexts. Using a systematic and therapeutic approach to advanced patient assessment students will apply their skills and knowledge in an extended period of clinical placement with a focus on increased clinical acuity with an emphasis on managing acute conditions, acute exacerbations in chronic conditions, deteriorating patients and life-limiting illnesses, and palliation This unit contains 160 hours of clinical placement

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Yes - 20 days

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a range of complex health problems experienced by patients throughout the lifespan in stages of clinical deterioration.

K2.	Explore and evaluate the clinical application of nursing research and theoretical literature to the care of patients with complex health issues

K3.	Critically analyse the nursing application of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative techniques associated with caring for a patient with complex health needs.

Skills:

S1.	Undertake a systematic approach to person-centered assessment and plan effective strategies in prioritising and managing patients’ needs from the interpretation of the data

S2.	Demonstrate comprehensive, safe, clinical evidence-based practice with consideration of current theoretical knowledge and be able to recognise report and provide timely care to patients whose condition is deteriorating

S3.	Demonstrate collaborative and therapeutic practice as part of the multidisciplinary team in the provision of quality patient care and employ clinical and critical decision making skills to identify, analyse and resolve problems in various environments

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Develop and implement holistic person-centred health-care plans for patient deteriorating states and critical health situations that developed in partnership with peers and members of multi-disciplinary team

A2.	Utilise therapeutic communication and interaction principles in the assessment and care of acutely ill patients and their carers

A3.	Practice in accordance with the current NMBA Registered Nurse Practice Standards, NMBA code of ethics, and NMBA code of conduct for Registered Nurses

Unit Content:

The current NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice, NMBA Code of Conduct for Nurses, Code of Ethics for Nurses, National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, Aged Care Quality Standards, National Health Priority Areas and where applicable the NMBA National Competency Standards for the Midwives, NMBA Code of Conduct for Midwives, ICM/NMBA Code of Ethics for Midwives have informed the content development of this unit. Recognising and Responding to Patient Deterioration Systematic assessment techniques including primary, focused and secondary survey approaches to assist in the early detection of subtle indicators in deteriorating patients Recognising deterioration of mental wellness Escalation and reporting lines for patients in deteriorating states Person-centred care of people experiencing an acute health conditions and delirium such as; cardiac and renal failure, cardiac and respiratory emergencies, neurological and burn injuries and shock states Monitoring, management and evaluation of person-centred care for deteriorating patient states End of life care in the acute and sub-acute setting Introduction to advanced life support The role of the Registered Nurse as a leader in the healthcare team for the provision of safe and, quality practice to achieve positive person-centred outcomes for patients in deteriorating and complex health states Undertake clinical placement in order to consolidate the current NMBA Registered Nurse Practice Standards and in so doing develop confidence and competence in providing a comprehensive assessment that is able to identify and respond to episodes of patient deterioration Understanding the nursing role within this context and the roles of other health professionals to care for patient effectively

Graduate Attributes:

Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.

FED TASK and descriptor		Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit
FED TASK and descriptor		Level
FEDTASK 1 Interpersonal	Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams.	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
FEDTASK 2 Leadership	Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
FEDTASK 3 Critical Thinking and Creativity	Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving.	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context
FEDTASK 4 Digital Literacy	Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities.	Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines
FEDTASK 5 Sustainable and Ethical Mindset	Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life.	Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting	Professional Standards
1.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	Attendance at Active Learning Sessions	80% Attendance at Active Learning Sessions	S/U Hurdle
2.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	Attendance at clinical laboratories	100% attendance at clinical laboratories	S/U Hurdle
3.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	ANSAT	Clinical Placement	S/U Hurdle
4.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1	Clinical reasonsing of a clinically deteriorating patient scenario.	Written and Oral case study	20-40%
5.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, A1	Explore a critical health situation in regards to pathophysiology and nursing care in the form of a mind map.	Mind map	20-40%
6.	K1, K2, K3, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2, A3	ANSAT	Clinical Placement	30-50%

Adopted Reference Style:

APA ()

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency