Catalog Description

Prerequisite: Enrolled as an LVN to RN upward mobility student
Hours: 16 (7 lecture, 9 laboratory)
Description: Provides the LVN upward mobility student with the content/concepts for the management of nursing care for the obstetrical and newborn patient with complex nursing needs, such as a high-risk intrapartum, complicated birth, and post delivery care of maternal/newborn patients. Content builds upon the basic obstetrical nursing content the student received in the vocational nursing program and meets BRN curriculum requirements. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Describe the nursing process based on Roy’s Adaptation model to provide prioritization of direct and indirect care to high-risk maternal/newborn clients with common and/or remedial health problems/stressors.
  • CSLO #2: Explain therapeutic communication (writing/verbal) skills to interact effectively with clients having complex and life-threatening illnesses, their families, and maternal/infant clients and families with common and/or remedial health problems/stressor; also utilize direct communication with nursing staff.

Effective Term

Fall 2020

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

16

Outside of Class Hours

14

Total Student Learning Hours

30

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives:
1. Differentiate among diagnostic techniques, including when they are used in pregnancy and for what purpose.
2. Describe the primary complications of pregnancy and the related nursing and medical care for preexisting condition (Diabetes, Cardiovascular, and Anemia).
3. Describe the component of fetal heart rate patterns essential to interpretation of monitor strips.
4. Differentiate between reassuring and non-reassuring FHR patterns.
5. Differentiate among the nursing interventions used for managing specific FHR patterns including tachycardia, bradycardia, absent or minimal variability, and late and variable decelerations.
6. Differentiate the defining characteristic of gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, and eclampsia, chronic hypertension and HELLP Syndrome and incorporate priorities of nursing and medical management.
7. Discuss the management of women with hyperemesis gravidarum and the effect on maternal and fetal well-being.
8. Discuss hydatidiform mole signs and symptoms and possible complications.
9. Compare and contrast placenta previa and abruption placentae.
10. Differentiate the types of perineal trauma related to childbirth.
11. Discuss preterm labor and birth to include medical and nursing management.
12. Describe the primary causes of dystocia and the related nursing and medical care.
13. Discuss the pre, intra, and postop care for cesarean section.
14. Discuss vaginal birth after cesarean.
15. Discuss obstetric emergencies and their appropriate management.
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Apply scientific principles in planning and implementing care focused on identified nursing diagnoses.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness by which perinatal nursing interventions resolved patient care problems.
3. Apply and interpret the results of the external fetal monitoring equipment.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Objective Examinations
            • Example: Examples of multiple choice exam questions: 1. The nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving oxytocin to induce labor. Which assessment finding would cause the nurse to immediately discontinue the oxytocin infusion? a. fatigue b. drowsiness c. uterine hyperstimulation d. early decelerations of the fetal heart rate 2. Methylergonovine (Methergine) is prescribed for a woman to treat post-partum hemorrhage. Before administration of Methergine, what is the priority nursing assessment? a. uterine tone b. blood pressure c. amount of lochia d. deep tendon reflexes
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: 1. Students must demonstrate the correct procedure for vaginal fluid evaluation: fern and/or nitrazine paper testing.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion

          Lab:

          1. During the high fidelity manikin interactive birth simulation, the instructor will present case studies on high risk childbirth. Students will demonstrate the skills and critical thinking necessary to provide appropriate care.

          Lecture:

          1. Instructor will lecture on the topic of high risk childbirth and then lead the students in a discussion.

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. Read the sections on "Pregnancy at Risk" in the assigned text and be prepared to discuss. 2. Read the section on "Postpartum Complications" in the assigned text and use the information to formulate your nursing plan.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. Complete one teaching plan for a maternal-newborn client using NRSR 24 criteria and implement after review by clinical instructor. 2. Identify the correct procedure for accurately testing urine for glucose and protein and the procedure for fern testing and/or nitrazine testing of amniotic fluid.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Required Materials

          • Maternal Child Nursing Care
            • Author: Perry, Lowdermilk, Cashion, et al.
            • Publisher: Elsevier
            • Publication Date: 2018
            • Text Edition: 6th
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

          Access to the Assessment Technology Institute supplemental online materials.