Pa ge |1
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCE, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
VERITAS UNIVERSITY, ABUJA.
2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION, SECOND SEMESTER.
COURSE TITLE: MEDICAL – SURGICAL NURSING II.
Course Title: Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Course Code: NSC 312
Course Credits: 4 Credits
Prepared by Dr. Charles Ogidinta
Prerequisites:
• Medical-Surgical Nursing I
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Pharmacology for Nursing
Course Description:
Human beings are faced with multifactorial health challenges and diseases globally. Medical-
Surgical Nursing II focuses on the advanced nursing care of patients with complex medical-
surgical conditions across various lifespans. It deals with nursing care of patients with various
complex medical-surgical conditions and the development of advanced clinical skills.
The course will build upon foundational knowledge gained in earlier nursing courses and help
students develop critical thinking, clinical judgment, and evidence-based practices. However
special emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice,
and interprofessional collaboration in the management of patients with multisystem involvement,
high-acuity illnesses, and surgical interventions.
Course Objectives:
, Pa ge |2
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Assess and manage patients with complex medical-surgical conditions, applying clinical
knowledge and skills.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in nursing interventions for patients with multi-system diseases.
3. Implement evidence-based practices in patient care, with a focus on improving outcomes.
4. Collaborate with the healthcare team to provide safe, effective, and holistic care to
patients.
5. Develop a comprehensive care plan for patients undergoing surgical procedures,
including preoperative and postoperative care.
6. Understand and manage the pharmacological aspects of treatment for patients with
complex conditions.
Course Topics and Weekly Breakdown:
Week 1: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing II
• Overview of the course and expectations
• Review of assessment, diagnosis, and care planning
• The role of nurses in multidisciplinary care teams
• Introduction to advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking in medical-surgical
nursing
Week 2: Cardiovascular System - Part I
• Pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure)
• Nursing interventions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and post-surgical heart
patients
• Pharmacological treatments in cardiovascular care
• Monitoring complications (e.g., arrhythmia, thromboembolic events)
• Evidence-based practices in cardiovascular nursing care
Week 3: Cardiovascular System - Part II
• Hypertension: Management and nursing interventions
• Nursing care for patients with cardiac arrest and resuscitation protocols
• Post-cardiac surgery care (e.g., coronary artery bypass grafting)
• Advanced nursing skills: EKG interpretation and assessment
, Pa ge |3
Week 4: Respiratory System
• Pathophysiology of respiratory disorders (e.g., COPD, asthma, pneumonia)
• Acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation
• Nursing care for patients with respiratory distress, including use of oxygen therapy and
nebulization
• Management of tracheostomy care, endotracheal intubation, and weaning
• Pharmacologic agents in respiratory care
Week 5: Gastrointestinal System
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, liver
cirrhosis)
• Nursing assessment and interventions for GI bleeding and GI surgery
• Nutritional support and management of patients with enteral and parenteral nutrition
• Post-operative care for abdominal surgery
Week 6: Renal and Urinary System
• Pathophysiology of renal failure (acute vs. chronic), nephrolithiasis, and urinary tract
infections
• Dialysis procedures: Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
• Nursing management of patients with renal failure, including fluid and electrolyte
imbalances
• Pharmacological management of renal disorders
Week 7: Endocrine System
• Management of endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal
insufficiency)
• Nursing assessment and management of diabetic emergencies (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Blood glucose monitoring and insulin therapy
• Postoperative care for patients with endocrine surgeries (e.g., thyroidectomy,
adrenalectomy)
Week 8: Musculoskeletal System
• Disorders of the musculoskeletal system (e.g., fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis)
, Pa ge |4
• Nursing interventions for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery (e.g., hip replacement,
spinal surgery)
• Pain management and rehabilitation in musculoskeletal injuries
• Post-surgical care and prevention of complications (e.g., deep vein thrombosis,
infections)
Week 9: Hematologic System
• Pathophysiology of hematologic disorders (e.g., anemia, leukemia, hemophilia)
• Nursing interventions for blood transfusion and management of blood products
• Nursing care for patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Evidence-based practices for managing hematologic emergencies
Week 10: Neurological System
• Neurological assessment and management of stroke, seizures, and head trauma
• Nursing care for patients with neurological impairments (e.g., brain injury, Parkinson’s
disease, multiple sclerosis)
• Post-surgical care for neurological procedures (e.g., craniotomy, spinal surgery)
• Pharmacological interventions for neurological disorders
Week 11: Infectious Diseases and Sepsis
• Pathophysiology of common infections (e.g., sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections)
• Nursing management of patients with systemic infections and sepsis
• Infection control and prevention measures in the hospital setting
• Nursing care for immune-compromised patients (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer)
Week 12: Perioperative Nursing
• Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative nursing care
• Nursing interventions for preventing surgical site infections and complications
• Management of postoperative pain, mobility, and complications
• Psychological aspects of the surgical patient
Week 13: Multi-system Failure
• Critical care management of patients with multi-system organ failure
• Nursing care for patients with sepsis, shock, and organ failure
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING SCIENCE, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES,
VERITAS UNIVERSITY, ABUJA.
2024/2025 ACADEMIC SESSION, SECOND SEMESTER.
COURSE TITLE: MEDICAL – SURGICAL NURSING II.
Course Title: Medical-Surgical Nursing II
Course Code: NSC 312
Course Credits: 4 Credits
Prepared by Dr. Charles Ogidinta
Prerequisites:
• Medical-Surgical Nursing I
• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Pharmacology for Nursing
Course Description:
Human beings are faced with multifactorial health challenges and diseases globally. Medical-
Surgical Nursing II focuses on the advanced nursing care of patients with complex medical-
surgical conditions across various lifespans. It deals with nursing care of patients with various
complex medical-surgical conditions and the development of advanced clinical skills.
The course will build upon foundational knowledge gained in earlier nursing courses and help
students develop critical thinking, clinical judgment, and evidence-based practices. However
special emphasis is placed on critical thinking, clinical decision-making, evidence-based practice,
and interprofessional collaboration in the management of patients with multisystem involvement,
high-acuity illnesses, and surgical interventions.
Course Objectives:
, Pa ge |2
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Assess and manage patients with complex medical-surgical conditions, applying clinical
knowledge and skills.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in nursing interventions for patients with multi-system diseases.
3. Implement evidence-based practices in patient care, with a focus on improving outcomes.
4. Collaborate with the healthcare team to provide safe, effective, and holistic care to
patients.
5. Develop a comprehensive care plan for patients undergoing surgical procedures,
including preoperative and postoperative care.
6. Understand and manage the pharmacological aspects of treatment for patients with
complex conditions.
Course Topics and Weekly Breakdown:
Week 1: Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing II
• Overview of the course and expectations
• Review of assessment, diagnosis, and care planning
• The role of nurses in multidisciplinary care teams
• Introduction to advanced clinical reasoning and critical thinking in medical-surgical
nursing
Week 2: Cardiovascular System - Part I
• Pathophysiology of cardiovascular disorders (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure)
• Nursing interventions for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and post-surgical heart
patients
• Pharmacological treatments in cardiovascular care
• Monitoring complications (e.g., arrhythmia, thromboembolic events)
• Evidence-based practices in cardiovascular nursing care
Week 3: Cardiovascular System - Part II
• Hypertension: Management and nursing interventions
• Nursing care for patients with cardiac arrest and resuscitation protocols
• Post-cardiac surgery care (e.g., coronary artery bypass grafting)
• Advanced nursing skills: EKG interpretation and assessment
, Pa ge |3
Week 4: Respiratory System
• Pathophysiology of respiratory disorders (e.g., COPD, asthma, pneumonia)
• Acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation
• Nursing care for patients with respiratory distress, including use of oxygen therapy and
nebulization
• Management of tracheostomy care, endotracheal intubation, and weaning
• Pharmacologic agents in respiratory care
Week 5: Gastrointestinal System
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, liver
cirrhosis)
• Nursing assessment and interventions for GI bleeding and GI surgery
• Nutritional support and management of patients with enteral and parenteral nutrition
• Post-operative care for abdominal surgery
Week 6: Renal and Urinary System
• Pathophysiology of renal failure (acute vs. chronic), nephrolithiasis, and urinary tract
infections
• Dialysis procedures: Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
• Nursing management of patients with renal failure, including fluid and electrolyte
imbalances
• Pharmacological management of renal disorders
Week 7: Endocrine System
• Management of endocrine disorders (e.g., diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, adrenal
insufficiency)
• Nursing assessment and management of diabetic emergencies (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Blood glucose monitoring and insulin therapy
• Postoperative care for patients with endocrine surgeries (e.g., thyroidectomy,
adrenalectomy)
Week 8: Musculoskeletal System
• Disorders of the musculoskeletal system (e.g., fractures, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid
arthritis)
, Pa ge |4
• Nursing interventions for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery (e.g., hip replacement,
spinal surgery)
• Pain management and rehabilitation in musculoskeletal injuries
• Post-surgical care and prevention of complications (e.g., deep vein thrombosis,
infections)
Week 9: Hematologic System
• Pathophysiology of hematologic disorders (e.g., anemia, leukemia, hemophilia)
• Nursing interventions for blood transfusion and management of blood products
• Nursing care for patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy
• Evidence-based practices for managing hematologic emergencies
Week 10: Neurological System
• Neurological assessment and management of stroke, seizures, and head trauma
• Nursing care for patients with neurological impairments (e.g., brain injury, Parkinson’s
disease, multiple sclerosis)
• Post-surgical care for neurological procedures (e.g., craniotomy, spinal surgery)
• Pharmacological interventions for neurological disorders
Week 11: Infectious Diseases and Sepsis
• Pathophysiology of common infections (e.g., sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections)
• Nursing management of patients with systemic infections and sepsis
• Infection control and prevention measures in the hospital setting
• Nursing care for immune-compromised patients (e.g., HIV/AIDS, cancer)
Week 12: Perioperative Nursing
• Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative nursing care
• Nursing interventions for preventing surgical site infections and complications
• Management of postoperative pain, mobility, and complications
• Psychological aspects of the surgical patient
Week 13: Multi-system Failure
• Critical care management of patients with multi-system organ failure
• Nursing care for patients with sepsis, shock, and organ failure
