92041 Anaesthetic and PACU Nursing
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject is designed to enhance the students’ knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the anaesthetic and post anaesthetic care nurse. Through the development of specialised knowledge students advance their expertise in clinical and technical skills and professional practice within this high acuity area. Content of this subject builds on prerequisite perioperative principles addressed in 92044 Core Concepts in Perioperative Nursing.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| A. | Examine the advanced role and responsibilities of the anaesthetic and post anaesthetic nurse and implications for patient care. |
|---|---|
| B. | Develop specialised knowledge on a range of nursing assessments, advanced skills and interventions to enable high level person centred care across clinical scenarios with varying levels of complexity. |
| C. | Demonstrate critical thinking and reflection through exploring and discussing the needs of the pre, intra, and post operative patients including those with complex care requirements. |
| D. | Utilising relevant evidence critically examine the pharmacology related to anaesthesia and pain management, including adverse effects. |
Teaching and learning strategies
In this subject, you will participate in a range of teaching and learning strategies that are designed to encourage development of your specialist knowledge to advance your clinical expertise and professional practice within the anaesthetic and PACU environment.
Orientation activities
Preparation for the Session - students are expected to undertake activities prior to the first week. These activities include online readings, videos, interaction with peers, and are important in helping students prepare for the subject's Assessment Tasks. This also provides students with an opportunity to meet and interact with peers. Students will learn through independent learning activities, group work, peer review, and participation in the Zoom meetings.
Independent learning activities
Relevant readings, videos and activities will be made available online relevant to the topic of the week. Students are expected to come to Zoom meetings prepared. This will enhance the students’ ability to progress successfully throughout the subject and complete assessment items effectively. The online material aims to enhance students’ understanding of the topic or delve deeper into a more specific area, compare experiences and ideas with others, and gain feedback. Information and links to all these learning activities can be accessed via Canvas as well as the subject outline.
Zoom meetings/workshops
Zoom meetings will provide opportunities for group activities and discussion, self-assessment, peer review and formative feedback from the subject coordinator. Zoom meetings will be conducted at a time that enables the majority of students to contribute. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the first Zoom meeting in Week 1 as these prepare students for the subject’s Assessment Tasks.
Feedback
Feedback will be frequent and takes several forms including self-assessment, peer review, automatic feedback from interactive activities e.g. quizzes, and from the subject coordinator. Formative feedback throughout the subject aims to increase student performance at summative assessments.
Content (topics)
This subject covers a range of topics and issues relevant to the professional development of perioperative nurses.
- Analysis of the advanced role and responsibilities of thethe anaesthetic and post anaesthetic nurse and implications for patient care.
- Develop specialised knowledge on a range of nursing assessments, advanced skills and interventions to enable high level person centred care across clinical scenarios with varying levels of complexity.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and reflection through exploring and discussing the needs of the pre, intra, and post operative patients including those with complex care requirements.
- Utilising relevant evidence critically examine the pharmacology related to anaesthesia and pain management, including adverse effects.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Professional Practice Knowledge and Skill Gap Analysis
| Intent: | To highlight the importance of nurses being able to identify knowledge and skill gaps within their clinical practice by undertaking a gap analysis to identify what development needs to be undertaken to attain optimal clinical practice and increased patient safety. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0 and .0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 500 words +/- 10% |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Assessment task 2: Pharmacology Online Quiz
| Intent: | This assessment task is designed to allow students to demonstrate their in-depth knowledge in perianaesthesia pharmacology and application of knowledge and critical thinking to clinical practice. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | 2 x online multiple-choice question quizzes of 25 randomly selected questions each. |
| Criteria: | Quiz questions will be based on the drugs that are covered in the modules prior to each quiz. |
Assessment task 3: Educational Resource Manual
| Intent: | The purpose of this assessment is to further develop the student’s specialist skills and knowledge in the delivery of a departmental educational manual. Demonstrating educational and clinical leadership using evidenced informed practice to enhance the quality and safety of person centred care in the anaesthetic and/or post anaesthetic care environment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B and C This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 25% |
| Length: | max 5 pages including images/tables/figures utilising font size 10 |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Assessment task 4: In depth Analysis of a Complex Patient Case Study
| Intent: | Through an in-depth analysis of a complex patient case study students will be able to demonstrate their advanced anaesthetic and post anaesthetic nursing practices by developing their skills as reflective, critical thinkers, and increasing their knowledge and understanding of the pre, intra and post-operative complex surgical patient’s journey to ensure a safe perioperative environment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): A, B, C and D This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s): .0, .0, .0 and .0 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 2500 words +/- 10% |
| Criteria: | Please refer to the marking rubric for this assessment. |
Required texts
All required readings will be available on Canvas or UTS Library
Recommended texts
Butterworth,J.F., Mackey,D.C., & Wasnick,J.D.(2018).Morgan & mikhails clinical anesthesiology(6th ed.).McGraw-Hill Education.
Elisha, S.,Nagelhout,J.,Plaus,K.(2018).Nurse anesthesia(6th ed.).Elsevier
J.Thompson, I. Moppett & M. Wiles (Eds.), Smith and Aitkinheads Textbook of Anaesthesia (7th ed.). Elsevier.
Other resources
UTS Student Centre
Building 10
Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)
Details for student centres: https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/uts-student-centre
For other resources/information refer to the Faculty of Health website (https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and
UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/
UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.
Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.
HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.
Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.