RN, CNS, NP

Course Description

This 2-day course is designed to provide the critical-care nurse with a review of AACN’s core curriculum. Provided in a lecture format, the instructor will review anatomy and physiology, physical assessment (including utilization of non and invasive assessment tools), and pathophysiology in a systems approach. Topics that are discussed include cardiac, respiratory, neurological, renal, endocrine, hematological, gastrointestinal, psychological and legal aspects of care. This review is not an introduction to the environment of the critical-care area but a comprehensive update for the professional already in practice at the critical-care bedside and preparing for the CCRN Certification Exam.

Key Learning Outcome

• After completing the program, 80% of participants will report an increase in knowledge and confidence necessary to pass the certification exam.

Program Objectives

This program prepares the learner to:

• Discuss and practice test-taking skills.
• Review critical anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of each adult system.
• List and discuss appropriate diagnostic tools for the identification of critical-care complications.
• Analyze patient conditions and devise current evidence-based treatment protocols.

Agenda

Sign-in begins at 7:30 am. Each day includes a one-hour lunch (on your own), as well as a morning and afternoon break of 15 minutes each. The order of lectures presented and break times may vary according to speaker preference.

Day 1, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

• Introduction, Test-Taking Strategies, Ethics & Professional Caring | Review of Exam Blueprint
• Hematology
  Bleeding, Platelet Function and Laboratory Findings in DIC | Blood Replacement | Clotting and Coagulation
• Cardiac
  Physiology | Anatomy | Coronary Artery Disease | Modalities of Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure | Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection | Preload, Afterload and Contractility | Heart Rate and Rhythm
• Endocrine
  DI | SIADH | DKA | HHS | Adrenal Insuffenciency | Thyroid Functioning
• Gastrointestinal
  Bleeding | Types and Treatment Modalities | Hepatic Function and Liver Failure | Intestinal Ischemia and Infarction | Bowel Function and Nutrition in Critically-Ill Adult

Day 2, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

• Neurology
  Brain's Use of Oxygen and Glucose | Cerebral Profusion Pressure and Nursing Interventions | Complications of Flow and Hypoxemia in the Brain | Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
• Renal
  Function and Acute Renal Injury | Mortality Rates | Electrolyte Dysfunction | Treatment Protocols
• Respiratory
  Chronic Bronchitis | Emphysema | Severe Asthma | Pneumonia | Pulmonary Fibrosis | Pulmonary Hypertension | Trauma | Acid-Base Scale | ABG Differences | Ventilator Changes | Pathophysiology of ARDS vs. Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema | Ventricular Parameters
• Multisystem and Muscular
  Critical Nursing Assessment | System Failure | Sepsis and Complications of Each Failing System