PARA8001 Advanced Bioscience for Intensive Care Paramedic Practice

2017

4.5

1 x 5-day intensive workshop per semester
1 x 7-hour independent study weekly
1 x 50-minute on-line exercises weekly
1 x 50-minute on-line tutorial weekly

PARA8002 - Acute Assessment and Management of Altered Perfusion

Students should have a sound underpinning knowledge of paramedic practice.

On-line weekly discussions/activities/participation; Practical work; Intensive attendance and participation; Assignments.

Critical to the appropriate assessment and management of the critically ill patient is the ability of the Intensive Care Paramedic to be able to relate a patient's clinical presentation to the homeostatic state and predict the potential alterations to this as a result of the implementation of a treatment strategy. This foundation subject will overview the relevant basic sciences, normal biology, anatomy and physiology to provide the necessary underpinning knowledge for the various pathophysiological conditions encountered during the course. Subject material, based on contemporary clinical understanding and best practice, will include Pharmacology, Clinical Anatomy and Physiology, Clinical Microbiology and Inflammation and will prepare the student with the necessary knowledge to enable appropriate clinical decision making when dealing with often complex and interacting pathologies.

This topic aims to develop an advanced level of understanding in the core biosciences related to Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) practice which forms the foundation on which sound clinical judgement and practice are to be based

On completion of this topic, students will be expected to be able to:

• Discuss basic organic and inorganic chemistry as relevant to ICP practice.

• Describe and apply to ICP practice the concepts of clinical pharmacology, including pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics

• Identify, describe and apply to ICP practice a knowledge of normal human anatomy and physiology in relation to the following:

  • Cell structure and basic biochemistry

  • The Cardiovascular System

  • Coagulation

  • The Respiratory System including the Airway

  • The Central & Peripheral Nervous Systems

  • The Renal System

  • Fluid & Electrolyte Balance

  • The Endocrine System

  • The Musculo-skeletal System

  • The Skin

  • The Immune System

• Explain the immunological processes involved in inflammation as relevant to ICP practice.

• Discuss basic microbiology as relevant to ICP practice

• Identify and describe the variations in biological characteristics that occur across the life span, including during pregnancy, as relevant to ICP practice

• Demonstrate the ability to form and revise clinical judgements and practice plans when presented with new evidence or information as relevant to ICP practice.