| Module Title |
General Nursing 2B |
| Module Code |
NUR1027 (ITS: NS221) |
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Faculty |
Science & Health |
School |
Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health |
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NFQ level |
8 |
Credit Rating |
7.5 |
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Description
This module will use a biopsychosocial perspective to explore the treatment and management of patients with disorders of the cardiovascular, lymphatic and respiratory systems. An understanding of the pharmacology associated with the nursing management of these patient groups will also be addressed. The recognition and nursing management of the deteriorating patient in the peri-operative period will also be explored. The delivery of care will be considered from a person centred perspective underpinned by the self-management support approach. The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, clinical skills sessions and group tutorials.
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Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing management of patients with cardiovascular, lymphatic and respiratory conditions, using a person-centred approach to care.
2. Perform the clinical skills deemed necessary for the nursing management of the above patient/client groups.
3. Critically examine and apply the nurse's role in promoting health in relation to the above patient/client group underpinned by the self-management support approach.
4. Analyse and apply pharmacological principles to inform safe, evidence-based nursing management of patients with cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphatic conditions
5. Critically analyse the social and psychological dimensions of cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphatic conditions, and apply this understanding to deliver person-centred, holistic nursing care.
6. Demonstrate the ability to recognise and assess the deteriorating patient, and plan, implement and evaluate evidence-based nursing management in acute and peri-operative care contexts
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| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Lecture | 32 | Face-to-face lectures delivering core theoretical content on the biological, pharmacological and nursing management of cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphatic conditions, including recognition and management of the deteriorating patient. | | Clinical laboratory | 2 | Simulation-based and practical skills sessions focused on the assessment and nursing management of patients with cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphatic conditions, including recognition and response to clinical deterioration | | Independent Study | 120 | Directed and self-directed learning including engagement with module content, reading of evidence-based literature, preparation for assessments, development of clinical reasoning, and consolidation of theoretical and practical knowledge. | | Tutorial | 6 | Facilitated small-group sessions to support application of theory to practice, clinical reasoning, case discussion, and preparation for module assessments |
| Total Workload: 160 |
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| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 11251 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 30% | Examination Weight | 70% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Hazel Ní Chonchubhair | Module Teacher | Ciara White, Sean Duffy |
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| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Group assignment | Development of a comprehensive nursing care plan for a client which the student group have encountered while on clinical placement which demonstrates their ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing management of patients with a cardiovascular, lymphatic or respiratory conditions system disorder using a person centred approach to care. | 30% | Week 12 | | Assignment | AI-Enabled Clinical Reasoning Portfolio and Structured Video Defence.
This individual assessment requires students to engage with a complex adult case scenario, involving cardiovascular/respiratory/lymphatic pathology, interpret clinical deterioration indicators and demonstrate comprehensive nursing management planning.
Students will engage transparently with AI-generated clinical content, critically evaluate its accuracy, safety, and omissions, and refine an evidence-informed, person-centred care plan.
A recorded video component will require students to articulate and defend their clinical reasoning, pharmacological considerations, and escalation strategy (ISBAR), thereby assessing applied judgement and professional communication. The proposed assessment is fully aligned with the module learning outcomes (LO1–LO6) and indicative content areas including biological aspects of disease, management of nursing care, peri-operative care, shock and multisystem failure, and early warning score utilisation. | 70% | Sem 1 End |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
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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
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Biological aspects of disease
Pathophysiology of cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphatic conditions
Haemodynamic regulation and cardiac function
Respiratory physiology, gas exchange and mechanisms of respiratory failure
Inflammatory processes and lymphatic system dysfunction
Disease progression, co-morbidities and implications for nursing care
Nursing Assessment and Management of Care
Comprehensive patient assessment (physical, psychosocial and functional)
Clinical reasoning and decision-making in acute and chronic illness
Person-centred care planning, implementation and evaluation
Risk assessment and patient safety (e.g., infection prevention)
Interdisciplinary collaboration and continuity of care
Shock and multi-system failure.
Pathophysiology and stages of shock (e.g., hypovolaemic, cardiogenic, septic)
Clinical presentation and early identification
Nursing management and monitoring
Multi-organ dysfunction and critical care principles
Early warning score.
Recognition of the deteriorating patient and use of the ISBAR tool.
Pharmacological Management
Principles of pharmacology relevant to cardiovascular, respiratory and lymphatic conditions
Medication management, administration and monitoring
Common drug classes (e.g., antihypertensives, anticoagulants, bronchodilators, diuretics)
Side effects, contraindications and patient education
Safe medication practices and clinical judgement in pharmacological care
Health Promotion and Self-Management Support
Role of the nurse in health promotion and disease prevention
Self-management support strategies in chronic illness
Behaviour change approaches (e.g., motivational interviewing, MECC principles)
Patient education and empowerment
Lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking cessation, physical activity, diet)
Psychosocial Aspects of Care
Psychological and emotional impact of acute and chronic illness
Social determinants of health and health inequalities
Communication skills and therapeutic relationships
Supporting patients and families in coping, adaptation and decision-making
Delivering holistic, person-centred care
Recognition and Management of the Deteriorating Patient
Early recognition of clinical deterioration
Use of Early Warning Scores (e.g., NEWS2)
Systematic patient assessment (e.g., ABCDE approach)
Escalation of care and communication using ISBAR
Nursing management of acute deterioration and clinical emergencies
Peri-operative Nursing Care
Pre-operative assessment and preparation
Post-operative monitoring and complications
Pain management and recovery optimisation
Prevention of complications (e.g., infection, thrombosis, respiratory issues)
Patient education and discharge planning
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Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Brooker, C and Nicol, M: 2011, Alexander's Nursing Practice, 4 ed., Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh,
- Brunner, L.S. and Smeltzer,S: 2022, Brunner and Suddarth's textbook of medical-surgical nursing, 15th ed, Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, Pa; London,
- Cooper, S. Rankin, J. Jevon, P. Endacott R: 2009, Clinical Nursing Skills: core and advanced, Oxford University Press, New York,
- Niven N: 2006, The Psychology of Nursing Care, Palgrave MacMilllan Basingstoke,
- Dougherty,L Lister, S. E: 2011, The Royal Marsden Hospital manual of clinical nursing procedures, 8 ed, Wiley-Blackwell, Chicester,
- Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L.: 2016, Medical-surgical nursing : patient-centered collaborative care, 8th ed, Elsevier,
- Alexander, Margaret F.; Fawcett, Josephine N.; Runciman, Phyllis J.: 2006, Nursing practice : hospital and home : the adult, 3rd ed, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh,
- Nettina, Sandra M.: 2019, Lippincott manual of nursing practice, 11th ed, Wolters Kluwer, Philadelphia,
- Williams & Wilkins, Keelin C. Cromar, and Casey Moebius: 2023, Medical-Surgical Nursing Made Incredibly Easy, 5th, Wolters Kluwers, Philadelphia,
- Humphreys, Melanie: 2011, Nursing the cardiac patient., 1st ed, Wiley, Hoboken,
- Elaine Nicpon Marieb,Suzanne M. Keller: 2021, Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Global Edition, Pearson, 0, 1-292-40194-X
- Janice L. Hinkle,Kerry H. Cheever,Kristen Overbaugh: 2021, Brunner and Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, LWW, 2352, 978-1-9751-6103-3
- Rainier P. Soriano: 2025, Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, LWW, 0, 1975218396
Articles:
None |
Other Resources
- 1: Report, National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), 2023, ADVANCING A PREVENTION AGENDA FOR CARDIOVASCULAR CARE IN IRELAND,
- 421461: 1, Report, Irish Heart Foundation, 2023, Summary of Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease,
- https://irishheart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IHF_CVD_PP_Summary_SCREEN.pdf: 421462, 1, Report, National Office of Clinical Audit, 2023, IRISH HEART ATTACK AUDIT NATIONAL REPORT 2021
- https://d7g406zpx7bgk.cloudfront.net/77f2d0667a/noca_ihaa_report_2021.pdf: 421463, 1, Report, Irish Thoracic Society, 2018, Respiratory Health of the Nation 2018
- https://irishthoracicsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Respiratory-Health-of-the-Nation-2018-1.pdf: 421464, 1, Journal Aticle, Woods et al., 2024, The Irish national chronic obstructive pulmonary disease quality improvement collaborative: an adaptive learning collaborative
- BMJ Open Qual: https://bmjopenquality.bmj.com/content/13/1/e002356, 421465, 1, Website Article, Hayes & Moloney, 2023
- Hospital Professional News: https://hospitalprofessionalnews.ie/2023/02/10/the-top-5-respiratory-conditions-placing-the-biggest-burden-on-irish-health-care, 421466, 1, Position Paper, National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC), 2023
- https://www.healthpolicypartnership.com/app/uploads/Advancing-a-prevention-agenda-for-cardiovascular-care-in-Ireland.pdf: 421467, 1, Briefing, 2012, Coronary Heart Disease Briefing
- The Institute of Public Health in Ireland: https://www.publichealth.ie/sites/default/files/resources/Coronary%20Heart%20Disease%20Briefing.pdf, 421468, 1, Government Publication, Department of Health, 2025
- https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/national-review-of-adult-specialist-cardiac-services-in-ireland/:
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