Course Overview
This course introduces the unique and highly specialized area of pediatric anesthesia care nursing, focusing specifically on the preoperative phase. Building on the concepts presented in Pediatric Nursing Theory 1 and 2, learners will work through foundational concepts of perianesthetic care, while considering children’s growth and development stages and the unique physiology of the different pediatric age groups. Learners will develop a deeper understanding of pediatric pathophysiology, assessment, and decision-making related to a variety of contexts experienced by the child or adolescent who is undergoing sedation and anesthesia. In addition, learners will further explore chronic illness; renal sufficiency; respiratory, neurological and cardiac assessments; chronic illness; mental health; and pain management in the context of the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). Finally, learners will be challenged to make clinical decisions and plan care for selected individuals who will be undergoing sedation and general anesthetic procedures. Family-centred care, relational and inter-professional practice, professionalism, communication, collaboration and partnership are core concepts threaded throughout this and all subsequent pediatric anesthesia care courses.
Credits
3.0
Registration requirements
Departmental approval is required to register for this course. Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Domestic fees
$963.23
International fees are typically 3.25 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
As a healthcare practitioner, you are expected to follow professional standards of practice throughout all SN programs and courses. In this course, you will have opportunities to use the processes of critical thinking, systematic inquiry, communication, collaboration, leadership, professionalism, and clinical decision-making. Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the context of pediatric anesthesia care nursing practice and recognize the unique experience of the pediatric patient (and their family) undergoing surgery and procedural anesthesia .
- Apply the concepts of family-centred care and relational practice within the context of pediatric anesthesia care settings.
- Describe the role of inter-professional collaborative practice within pediatric anesthesia care contexts.
- Identify how the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of various pediatric body systems are impacted within the context of pediatric anesthesia care settings.
- Identify the unique considerations required when caring for the PACU pediatric patient with special behavioural, emotional or mental health needs.
- Integrate principles of diversity, equity and inclusion and trauma informed care in the care of the children and their families in the context of pediatric anesthesia care setting.
- Reflect on Indigenous-specific racism, the legacies of colonialism in health care, and analyzing their relevance to and influence upon the practice of perianesthesia nursing.
- Demonstrate an understanding of implications of surgery on existing health challenges/chronic illness and effects on patient's recovery from anesthesia and on peri-operative care.
- Integrate principles of normal growth and development in the care of the PACU pediatric patient within the context of pediatric anesthesia care settings.
- Critically analyze data, form and prioritize conclusions, and plan nursing care to optimize oxygen supply and demand for a pediatric PACU patient who is experiencing nausea, vomiting and issues with thermoregulation using knowledge of unique pediatric anatomy and pathophysiology, clinical presentation and comprehensive assessment.
- Explain the concepts of oxygen supply and demand during the care of the PACU pediatric patient.
- Interpret multiple sources of information to comprehensively assess the status and inform clinical decision-making for a pediatric patient who is undergoing sedation and anesthesia.
- Determine age-appropriate pain assessment strategies, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management techniques.
- Describe and justify techniques for safe medication administration in pediatric anesthesia care settings.
Effective as of Fall 2024
Related Programs
Pediatric Anesthesia Care Nursing Theory 1 (NSPE 7360) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
School of Health Sciences
- Pediatric Nursing Specialty (Anesthesia Care Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Pediatric Nursing Specialty (Standard Option)
Advanced Certificate Part-time
- Specialty Nursing (Pediatric - Standard Option)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Part-time
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below is one offering of NSPE 7360 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 70038
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 26 Loading
- CRN 70038
- $963.23 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 26 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Tara Hodgson
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- Please contact the program assistant to request approval to register.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
No approval yet? Request approval Departmental approval is required for this course. You will not be able to register without it.
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
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