Critical Care Nursing Theory 3 NSCC 7320

​This course advances learners' clinical reasoning and critical care expertise by focusing on the assessment and management of life-threatening conditions commonly encountered in the ICU setting. Emphasizing the integration of assessment findings within the Oxygen Supply and Demand Framework (OSDF), this course builds upon prior knowledge and skills to support increasingly complex decision-making. Beginning with respiratory failure, learners examine its etiology, classification, and pathophysiology. Through the lens of the OSDF, learners analyze how targeted interventions—including antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation—can restore physiological balance and prevent further deterioration. Mechanical ventilation is then explored as a foundational skill for entry-level practice in critical care. Learners are introduced to key concepts including indications for intubation, ventilator settings, modes of ventilation, alarm troubleshooting, and weaning strategies. Cardiovascular care is addressed through an in-depth examination of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and heart failure. Learners analyze the progression from coronary artery disease to myocardial infarction, the interpretation of 12-lead ECG findings, and the pharmacologic interventions critical to improving outcomes. The course also explores the pathophysiology and long-term consequences of heart failure, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and ongoing management of impaired cardiac function. Finally, the course provides a comprehensive exploration of shock, including hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive types. Learners investigate the stages of shock, mechanisms of compensation and decompensation, and advanced assessment techniques for evaluating cardiac output and tissue perfusion. Medical and nursing management strategies, including the use of vasoactive medications, blood products, and fluid resuscitation, are examined in detail. The course concludes with an in-depth analysis of sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), emphasizing the inflammatory processes that drive these complex conditions. Through case-based learning and structured application of the OSDF, this course strengthens learners' ability to synthesize information, anticipate complications, and provide 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.