Cardiovascular Nursing

Course Code:

ΝΟΣ0506.3

Semester:

5th Semester

Specialization Category:

Specialized - Elective Mandatory ( ΜΕ )

Course Hours:

Theory 2

ECTS:

2



 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Language of evaluation: Greek

Written Work & public presentation, (20%)

Written Final Exam (80%) which includes:

      • multiple choice questionnaires
      • short-answer questions
      • open- ended questions
      • problem solving

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course prepares students to acquire basic knowledge in cardiology, both in clinical practice and at the theoretical level with the ultimate goal of assuming responsibility for the planning, management and evaluation of the care of patients with heart disease

After the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Recognize signs and symptoms of the disease and its complications
  • Know the care of acute and chronic heart diseases
  • Know the diagnostic methods (patients’ history, physical examination) and be able to prepare patients for diagnostic tests
  • Know the most common heart diseases, drugs and new techniques in invasive cardiology
  • Read the ECG as well as evaluate the results of other imaging tests
  • Evaluate cardiac and cardiothoracic surgery patients, prioritize their needs and plan an individualized care plan
  • Know the action and side effects of the most commonly used drugs in cardiology.
  • Know the operating principles of the technological equipment (respirators, monitors, pumps, cardiac support machines, pacemakers, defibrillators, electrocardiographs, etc.).
  • Understand the importance of preventing heart disease, both in its primary and secondary form
  • Plan and implement a tailored patient education program
  • Educate patients in order to prevent and increase their level of self-care.
  • Follow the basic principles of bioethics (informing the patient, obtaining a consent document when needed)
  • Participate in the therapeutic process by critically reviewing the relevant literature.

 

GENERAL COMPETENCES

  • Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies
  • Adaptation to new situations
  • Decision making
  • Autonomous work
  • Teamwork
  • Working in an international environment
  • Work in an interdisciplinary environment
  • Respect for diversity and multiculturalism
  • Project planning and management
  • Promoting free, creative and inductive thinking

 

Course Outline

 

SYLLABUS

THEORY 

  • Anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.
  • Introduction to Invasive Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery.
  • Heart disease (coronary heart disease, valvular diseases, thoracic aortic disorders, heart failure, arrhythmias).
  • Diagnostic approach to heart disease. The role of the nurse.
  • Rapid ECG interpretation (identification of ECG findings).
  • Hemodynamic monitoring.
  • Coronary artery disease (Chronic coronary artery disease, Coronary syndromes).
  • Invasive Cardiology (Coronary Artery Revascularization).
  • Chronic heart disease.
  • Arrhythmias and conduction disorders – Arrhythmias treatment.
  • Implantable devices (pacemaker, implantable cardioverter – Defibrillator).
  • Heart failure (etiology, pathophysiology, classification, nursing).
  • Valvular diseases – Cardiomyopathies and nursing management.
  • Congenital heart disease and nursing management.
  • Cardiac infections (pericarditis, endocarditis, myocarditis) and nursing management.
  • Aortic and peripheral arterial diseases (aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease, arteritis) and nursing management
  • Cardiogenic shock and nursing treatment.
  • Arterial hypertension and nursing management (prevention-intervention-rehabilitation).
  • Preoperative assessment and preparation of patients to undergo cardiac surgery.
  • Preoperative assessment and preparation of patients to undergo cardiac surgery.
  • Postoperative monitoring and patient care at the recovery unit.
  • Heart transplantation (care for patients from pre-transplantation to post-transplantation period).
  • Sudden Death-arrest-Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
  • The role of the nurse in the medication administration.
  • Psychosocial problems of patients with heart disease.