Nursing of Respiratory, Thoracic and Vascular Diseases

General

• Code: 278-190407
• Semester: 4th
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Course type: Specialization
• Teaching and exams language: Greek
• Teaching Methods (Hours/Week): Theory (2)
• ECTS Units: 2
• Course homepage: https://moodle.teithe.gr/course/index.php?categoryid=196
• Instructors: Tsaloglidou Areti

Course Contents

• Elements of anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system.
• Normal respiratory function and disorders of respiratory function.
• The clinical examination of the respiratory system. Main clinical symptoms and signs of bronchopulmonary diseases.
• Common problems of respiratory patient care (effective airway clearance, ineffective breathing patterns, risk of infection, changes in nutrition and hydration, fatigue).
• Respiratory failure (types of respiratory failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, etc.).
• Care of patients with pulmonary vascular disorders/pulmonary circulation diseases (pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism, pathophysiological reaction to pulmonary embolism – cardiovascular and respiratory system manifestations, etc.)
• Care of patients with disorders of the upper respiratory system (common cold, rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc.).
• Care of patients with lower respiratory tract disorders (acute bronchitis, bronchiolitis, bronchopneumonia, pulmonary abscess, infectious lung diseases (lobar pneumonia, viral and bacterial pneumonia, nosocomial disease, pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients, aspiration pneumonia), etc.).
• Care of patients with pleural diseases (pleurisy, pleural effusion, empyema, chylothorax, pneumothorax, etc.).
• Care of patients with lung tumors.
• Care of patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases (chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, bronchiectasis, obstructive bronchiolitis, cystic fibrosis, etc.).
• Care of patients with granulomatous lung diseases (pulmonary tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, etc.).
• Care of patients with occupational lung diseases (pneumoconiosis, inhalation of chemicals, etc.).
• Care of patients with congenital anomalies and diseases of the lungs and thoracic skeleton. Chest injuries.

Educational Goals

The aim of the module is for the student to understand the structure and function of the respiratory system and the fundamental principles of recognition, evaluation and treatment of respiratory diseases. The student will also become familiar with the nursing responsibilities involved in carrying out diagnostic tests, invasive or non-invasive therapeutic approaches in the pre-operative and post-operative period in patients undergoing surgery and the necessity of solving problems arising in clinical practice with the help of modern research and scientific studies.

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to recognize the etiological factors associated with respiratory disorders, apply the appropriate techniques for the evaluation of the respiratory system and recognize the main signs and symptoms of respiratory diseases. They will also be able to apply the basic principles of nursing care for each condition, make an informed decision about the most appropriate rehabilitation therapy, implement comprehensive post-operative treatment programs for patients who have undergone thoracic surgery, and provide information on long-term measures to prevent respiratory problems working both individually and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

General Skills

• Applying knowledge in practice.
• Adapting to new situations.
• Production of free, creative and inductive thinking.
• Decision-making.
• Working independently.
• Team work.
• Working in an international environment.
• Production of new research ideas.

Teaching Methods

• Face to face.

Use of ICT means

• Use of ICT in teaching and communication with students.
• Support of the learning process through the electronic platform moodle and/or e-class.
• Use of e-mails for communication with students.
• Use of computer and projector for viewing PPT and other audiovisual material (e.g. videos).

Teaching Organization

Students Evaluation

• Written exams (and optional written projects).