Promoting Wellness in the Critically Ill — the third course in the medical-surgical nursing series, preparing you to deliver expert, evidence-based care across the life span.
NURS 480 provides the theoretical perspective on care of acute and critically ill persons across the life span. You will master complex clinical decision-making while promoting wellness in culturally diverse populations.
This is the third course in the medical-surgical nursing series. You will build on your foundational knowledge to manage the most challenging patient presentations in critical care settings.
Every week integrates a set of foundational nursing concepts that frame critical care decision-making from admission to discharge.
Perfusion, oxygenation, intracranial regulation, fluid regulation, metabolism, nutrition, elimination
Infection & inflammation, tissue integrity, pain management, mobility
Safety, interprofessional collaboration, health promotion, patient & family teaching
Master care of the critically ill patient, beginning with respiratory emergencies. Week 1 introduces the nursing process, triage, and acid-base balance. Week 2 deepens your understanding of oxygenation failure and ventilator management.
Lewis: Ch. 17, 21, 28, 30, 32, 35
ATI Med-Surg: Ch. 3, 18–20, 25–27, 46
Focus on the critically ill patient experiencing acute coronary syndrome and life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies. This week integrates pharmacology, dysrhythmia interpretation, and advanced hemodynamic monitoring.
Acute Coronary Syndrome — lethal dysrhythmias, CABG, aneurysms, pacemakers, hemodynamic monitoring
Pharmacology Made Easy: Cardiovascular & Hematologic modules
Watch Pacemakers and ICD video · ATI Cardiovascular Assessment · Exam 1
Critically examine stroke management (ischemic vs. hemorrhagic), elevated intracranial pressure, and spinal cord injury. Develop comprehensive care plans addressing neurological deficits and mobility impairment.
Lewis: Ch. 61, 62, 65
ATI Med-Surg: Ch. 4, 6, 15, 16, 17, 72
ATI Targeted Assessment: Neurosensory & Musculoskeletal
Explore life-threatening endocrine emergencies including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), diabetes insipidus (DI), and SIADH. Develop interprofessional care strategies for complex metabolic crises.
Pancreatic emergencies — insulin protocols, fluid resuscitation, electrolyte correction
Pituitary disorders — sodium dysregulation, fluid balance, hormone replacement
Endocrine module — insulin types, hormone therapy, osmotic agents
Liver failure — cirrhosis, hepatitis, pancreatitis. Students will explore the intersection of nutritional support and critical illness, including enteral and parenteral nutrition.
Lewis: Ch. 44, 48 | ATI Med-Surg: Ch. 47–49, 51–56
Assignment: ATI Targeted Assessment — Gastrointestinal
This week integrates the most complex concepts in critical care — burns, septic shock, MODS, and SIRS — requiring advanced synthesis of all prior course content to manage multisystem failure.
Burn table, fluid resuscitation, rule of nines, wound management
MODS, SIRS, septic/hypovolemic/cardiogenic shock — shock table & case scenario
Infection & Immune modules — vasopressors, antibiotics, immunomodulators
The culminating experience of NURS 480. Complete all three Capstone milestones by the posted deadlines.
ATI Capstone Fundamentals pre-assignment due Tuesday 11:59 pm
Capstone Fundamentals Assessment via Proctorio — due Tuesday 11:59 pm
Capstone Fundamentals Remediation due Friday 11:59 pm
Welcome to NURS 480: Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing