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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Promotion of Physical Health & Well Being
Module Code NS209 (ITS) / NUR1000 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinatorDenise Proudfoot
Module TeachersGillian Paul
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Repeat examination
Array
Description

Mental health students undertaking this module should be able to identify physical health conditions affecting people with mental health problems i.e the development of metabolic syndrome and health comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, type two diabetics, some cancers and the clients health behaviors - poor diet and lack of exercise and sexual health issues. Mental health students should also be able to critique other related issues including diagnostic overshadowing and uncoordinated care between primary and secondary services. Students should at the end of this module have developed the knowledge, assessment skills and management interventions that will promote the physical health and well-being of people in their care.

Learning Outcomes

1. Outline the causes of metabolic syndrome and discuss the prevalence of this condition among people with mental health problems.
2. Understand the causes of cardiovascular disease among people with mental health problems and explore interventions aimed at enhancing cardiac function for people with mental illness.
3. Understand the causes of respiratory disease among people with mental health problems and explore ways in which respiratory function for people with mental problems can be enhanced.
4. Gain an understanding of the relationship between mental health problems and cancer and be able to discuss various cancer screening programmes and how people with mental health problems can be made aware of these.
5. Consider the impact of lifestyle factors on the physical health and wellbeing for those with mental illness and explore the barriers and facilitators to promoting healthy lifestyles.
6. Develop psychomotor and technical skills in the care of Persons with Physical Ill Health Vital Signs using the ABCDE format Conduction Urinalysis Metabolic monitoring taking - Waist circumstance, Blood Pressure measurements, and BMIs Undertaking Blood Glucose Monitoring Respiratory Therapy (Peak Flow, Pulse Oximetry, Suctioning, and Nebuliser Therapy) Neurological Observations - Glasgow coma scale



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24face to face contact
Clinical laboratory8Demonstration of skill and practice
Fieldwork3OSCE and Written examinations
Tutorial5Exploration of material related to module delivery
Fieldwork50Incorporating preparation for module assessment which includes demonstration of clinical skills proficiency by way of OSCE assessment in a simulated learning environment. Students will negotiate learning opportunities to enhance attainment of module learning outcomes through self- motivated engagement with learning opportunities and activities that are available to them during the course of the module.
Independent Study35Following a period of personal reflection the individual student may determine this time is afforded to the pursuit of activities motivated towards attaining module learning outcomes including engagement with online module resources, recommended reading and other opportunistic learning activities.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

lectures
The relationship between physical illness and mental health, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the need for nurses to screen and intervene. Physical health challenges commonly experienced by people in the care of mental health services in relation to the cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, digestive, endocrine and genito-urinary systems will be explored. Related pharmacological and / or behavioural approaches indicated will be examined in the context of the mental health setting to augment physical care priorities. The impact of lifestyle factors on physical health

Clinical skills
Case study and OSCE - to demonstrate the ability to undertake the following assessments: • BMI • Waist circumstances • Blood pressure Pathology tests – • Glucose levels • Cholesterol levels. Blood glucose testing.

Clinical skills
Case study and OSCE to demonstrate the ability to undertake Pulse and Blood pressure monitoring.

Clinical skills
Case study and OSCE to demonstrate the ability to assess respiratory function: • Respiratory pattern • Breathlessness • Sputum • Cyanosis Respiratory rate Pulse rate Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

Clinical skills
Demonstrate the ability to undertake a number of clinical skills related to physical health care

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment50% Examination Weight50%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)n/a50%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Nash M: 2014, Physical health and well-being in mental health nursing: clinical skills for practice., 2nd Edition, Open University Press, Maidenhead. UK.,
  • Brady, A., McCabe, C., McCann, M.: 2014, Fundamentals of Medical- Surgical Nursing: A Systems Approach, Wiley Blackwell, W. Sussex, 978-0-4706-5823-9
  • Brooker C, Nicol M & Alexander M F.: 2011, Alexander’s Nursing Practice., 4th, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 978-0702054655
  • Brooker, C and Waugh, A. (Eds): 2013, Foundations of Nursing Practice: Fundamentals of Holistic, 2nd, Mosby Elsevier, Edinburgh,
  • Lynda Juall Carpenito-Moyet: 2009, Nursing care plans & documentation, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, 9780781770644
  • Clark L and Griffiths P: 2008, Learning Disability and Other Intellectual Impairments: Meeting Needs Throughout Health Services, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.,
  • Dougherty L & Lister S (Eds.): 2011, The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures, 8th Edition, Wiley Blackwell, West Sussex., 9781444335101
Other Resources

None
Summary information for Transcript of Training: This module provides students of mental health nursing with an introduction to the physical needs that may be encountered when caring for an individual who has a mental health condition.

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