Identifying a critically ill patient (5cr)

Objective

Students
• understand the specificities of a critically ill patient, the staggering of treatment and competence requirements of nurses
• can anticipate, identify and assess changes in a patient’s vital functions in various working environments
• can carry out a holistic assessment of a patient’s condition
• can use and apply indicators and scoring systems describing a patient’s condition
• can use the patient information system to support decision-making
• can plan and execute the care of critically ill patients in various operating environments
• can support the family members of a critically ill patient
• can assess the importance of patient safety in identifying a critically ill patient

Content

• characteristics of a critically ill patient, staggering of care, special competence requirements of nurses
• aetiology and pathophysiology of changes in vital functions
• critically ill patients in different environments
• overall assessment of a patient’s condition
• assessment indicators and scoring systems for nursing
• supporting a patient’s family
• evidence-based nursing
• patient safety

Qualifications

Suitable for nurses, public health nurses, and midwives to deepen and update their skills, or for health sector university of applied sciences students who have already completed the relevant professional basic studies in their degree. The requirement for transitioning to advanced studies is approximately 120 credits or another specific reason agreed upon with a study counselor. Open university students should have equivalent knowledge (a corresponding course from another university of applied sciences or sufficient work experience as a nurse).

Further information

RPL 8/2025:
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is possible only if the student has a previous nursing degree or equivalent higher education studies leading to a nursing degree.