Additional emphasis is on assessment for special needs according to developmental level. Students learn pathophysiology, treatment options, and nursing care for adult patients with health problems that require some alteration of lifestyle to enable performance of activities of daily living. Application of theory occurs in acute and skilled care settings with increasingly complex clients. Introduction to drug therapy. Emphasis on basic pharmacology principles, drug action, correct dosages, methods of administration, and evaluation of patient response.
Nursing process is used to identify priorities for care of patients receiving specific medications.
Additionally, students learn to provide care for the normal and high risk newborn. Nursing care skills are developed in relation to the developmental stages for the perinatal patient and family. Clinical experiences include antepartal, intrapartal, postpartal and neonatal care settings. Utilization of the nursing process and theories of growth and development as a framework for providing nursing care and fostering health promotion for infants, children, and adolescents and their families. Focus on normal growth and maturation and on acute and chronic alterations of health and development.