Course Overview
Pediatric Anesthesia Care Theory 2 continues to build on the concepts introduced in Pediatric Anesthesia Care Nursing Theory 1. In the previous course, learners worked through considerations for the preoperative patient undergoing sedation and general anesthesia. They considered children’s growth and development and the unique physiology of different pediatric age groups, complex chronic illnesses, and mental health in the context of the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). In this course, learners will develop a deeper understanding of pediatric pathophysiology, assessment, critical thinking, and decision-making related to a variety of experiences faced by the pediatric patient who has undergone sedation and general anesthesia. Students will have the opportunity to complete focused assessments and plan interventions using case studies based on health challenges seen in the PACU including, thermoregulation, nausea and vomiting, haemodynamic monitoring, pain assessment, fluid management, ECG interpretation, shock, cardiac and respiratory arrest and emergence delirium. In addition, students will build on the comprehensive assessment strategies and approaches to optimize oxygen supply and demand balance to care for the child in PACU (e.g., hemodynamic monitoring, arterial blood gas analysis, CPAP/BiPAP). Students will continue to be challenged to make clinical decisions and plan care for selected individuals. The core concepts of family-centred care, relational and inter-professional practice, professionalism, communication, collaboration and partnership are threaded throughout this pediatric anesthesia care course.
Domestic fees
$963.23 - $982.79 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Integrate principles of normal growth and development in the care of pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia.
- Apply the concepts of family-centred care and relational practice within the context of the PACU setting.
- Identify the theoretical concepts of non-invasive ventilation and the relationship to supporting and balancing oxygen supply and demand in the pediatric patient undergoing anesthesia.
- Examine and describe common pharmacologic agents, to inform clinical decision-making for pediatric patients undergoing anesthesia.
- Describe and demonstrate techniques for safe medication administration in pediatric anesthesia care settings.
- Incorporate information gained from systematic blood gas analysis into comprehensive assessment of the pediatric PACU patient.
- Identify the principles of invasive hemodynamic monitoring.
- Integrate hemodynamic assessment data into comprehensive assessment of pediatric PACU patients.
- Determine age-appropriate pain assessment strategies, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological pain management techniques.
- Critically analyze data, form and prioritize conclusions, and plan immediate nursing care to optimize oxygen supply and demand for a pediatric patient experiencing procedural sedation, general anesthesia, acute respiratory failure, and acute cardiac arrest, using knowledge of unique pediatric anatomy and pathophysiology, clinical presentation and comprehensive assessment.
- Explain the implications of surgery on existing health challenges/chronic illness and effects on patients’ recovery from anesthesia and on peri-operative care.
- Plan individualized, evidence-based nursing care for the patient with special behavioural, emotional or mental health needs.
- Systematically analyze, interpret and manage basic cardiac dysrhythmias.
- Interpret multiple sources of information to inform clinical decision-making and comprehensively assess the status of the pediatric patient in the context of the PACU.
- Employ communication and collaboration skills to establish and maintain partnerships with a multidisciplinary team, families and pediatric patients with various health challenges.
Effective as of Fall 2023
Related Programs
Pediatric Anesthesia Care Nursing Theory 2 (NSPE 7380) 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 7380 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 70039
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 26 Loading
- CRN 70039
- $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.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Fall 2026
Below is one offering of NSPE 7380 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 52116
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 27 Loading
- CRN 52116
- $982.79 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
TBD
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
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.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.