Critical Care Nursing Theory 3 NSCC 7320

​This course prepares learners to support increasingly complex patient scenarios, applying the Oxygen Supply and Demand Framework (OSDF) to guide advanced reasoning and clinical decision-making. Learners explore respiratory failure in depth, examining its etiology, classification, and pathophysiology, and analyzing targeted interventions—including antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation—to restore physiological balance and prevent deterioration. Mechanical ventilation is introduced at a foundational level, providing learners with the knowledge and skills required for safe entry-level practice, including patient assessment, indications for intubation, ventilator settings, modes of ventilation, alarm troubleshooting, and weaning strategies. Through the study of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and heart failure, learners examine cardiac disease progression, interpret 12-lead ECGs, and explore pharmacologic and nursing strategies to optimize outcomes. The pathophysiology and long-term impact of heart failure are addressed, with attention to risk management, early recognition, and ongoing care of cardiac dysfunction. Shock, in its major forms—hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive—is then explored in depth, with learners examining the stages of shock, compensatory mechanisms, and advanced assessment techniques for evaluating cardiac output and tissue perfusion. Pharmacologic and nursing strategies are introduced, including vasoactive medications, fluid resuscitation, and blood products. The course concludes with an in-depth analysis of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), highlighting the inflammatory processes that drive these complex conditions. Through case-based learning and structured application of the Oxygen Supply and Demand Framework (OSDF), learners strengthen their ability to synthesize information, anticipate complications, and plan timely, evidence-informed interventions in the dynamic critical care environment.

Domestic fees

$493.33 - $1,589.74 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.