Advanced Veterinary Nursing (Emergency and Critical Care)

On completion of this unit the learner will have an in-depth knowledge and understanding required to meet the legal restrictions and professional obligations when working within veterinary emergency care environment. Including the process of patient triage, knowledge surrounding the current guidelines for CPRC and an understanding of methods for effective communication when conversing with clients and as part of an emergency.

This unit covers all aspects associated with the immediate veterinary nursing treatment of the ECC patient. Including aetiology and pathophysiology associated shock, and critically review interventions. Expanding learners ability to evaluate normal and abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) traces, enhancing knowledge and understanding of intravenous fluid therapy and diagnostic procedures, appraising their importance in the stabilisation of the emergency and critical patient.

This unit will facilitate learners to gain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the nursing interventions that are applied when caring for the ECC patient. Critically analyse the provision of anaesthesia and the role of the RVN in mitigating riskfactors. Including the aetiology and pathophysiology of pain and the provision of analgesia. Learners will analyse the nutritional requirements of the critical patient including assisted feeding and nutritional support. Comprehensively evaluate the management of the recumbent patient.

This unit will provide learners with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology for a range of ECC patient conditions. Learners will review the current scientific evidence base for the aetiology of emergency conditions, predisposing factors and presenting clinical signs. Whilst considering the AVN management of a range of critical and emergency patients and demonstrate reflective practice.

This unit covers all aspects associated with the transfusion of blood products for the ECC patient within veterinary practice. Learners will gain an advanced knowledge and understanding of the principles that determine the selection of blood products and the indications for their use. Whilst reviewing the blood products available within the UK veterinary industry and consider the ethical arguments surrounding their use. Covering details of the process of blood collection, administration of transfusions and an intricate knowledge and understanding of transfusion reactions.

The unit enables learners to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of collaborative practice within veterinary emergency and critical care. Critically appraising quality improvement strategies for personnel working within the ECC team and identifying the roles of individual team members. Principles of grief and loss will be ascertained, with a review on support available. Reflecting on the concept of resilience consider wellbeing for individuals working as part of ECC team.