4 Year Nursing Degree Programme (BSc Cur) Children's/General Integrated Degree Programme

NU3C04 The Sick Child (Part B) (5 ECTS)

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this module the student should be able to:

• Outline the principles of assessment of the child with altered neurological, locomotor, dermatological or endocrine functioning.
  
• Discuss the nursing care that is required to meet the specific health care needs of the child and family who are experiencing congenital, acquired, acute or chronic illness.
  
• Demonstrate practical skill in relation to caring for the unconscious child, the child who is having seizures, the child who requires traction, the child who requires specific skin care treatment.

Module Learning Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the theoretical principles of care and the practical
application of these principles which underpin caring for the sick child. The focus is to provide the
learner with the necessary knowledge that will enable them to participate in the delivery of care for the
sick child and their family.
The module is presented in four units of study:

• Unit 1: Caring for the child with altered neurological functioning.
  
• Unit 2: Caring for the child with altered locomotor functioning.
  
• Unit 3: Caring for the child with altered dermatological functioning.
  
• Unit 4: Caring for the child with altered endocrine functioning.

Recommended Reading List

• Coyne I., Neill F. & Timmins F. (2010) Clinical Skills for Children’s Nursing. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  
• Hockenberry M. & Wilson D. (2011) Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children, 9th edn. Elsevier Mosby.USA.
  
• Smith J. & Martin C. (2009) Paediatric Neurosurgery for Nurses. Routledge, London.
  

* Additional readings will be given for each unit of learning.