Recognising and Responding to the Deteriorating Patient (Online)

Who is it for?

This unit is suitable for any practitioner in any acute ward/clinical area, particularly for those working in renal areas. This unit forms part of the renal degree pathway.

This module can be undertaken as part of the BMedSci Renal Nursing Care degree or as a stand-alone module.

If taken as a stand-alone module, this unit can be completed at degree level for 20 credits or masters level for 15 credits. If you're considering this module at masters level, it is recommended that you have completed some academic study at degree level recently and within the UK. If you are unsure which level to choose, contact the programme/module lead.

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Content overview

The course focuses on normal and abnormal pathophysiology and the subsequent skills and knowledge needed, to recognise and respond to patients who are at risk of deterioration. It explores current policies, guidelines and clinical drivers that impact rescuing the deteriorating patient in acute practice settings.

Key topics include

• respiratory physiology
• oxygen therapy, including CPAP
• respiratory assessment, including arterial blood gas analysis and oximetry
• cardiac physiology, including rhythm analysis
• fluid management
• neurological assessment of levels of consciousness
• GCS
• ABCDE assessment
• track and trigger assessment tools including NEWS
• communication tools such as SBAR

The module provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of normal and abnormal physiology in those patients at risk of deterioration in the acute care setting. The course will provide the knowledge and skills needed for practitioners to recognise and respond to patient deterioration in a more timely and effective way. Consideration will also be given to the particular needs of renal patients when identifying and responding to deterioration.

The course explores current assessment approaches used in acute practice settings, including the track and trigger systems, SBAR, and ABCDE assessment and their impact on rescuing patients who are deteriorating.

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Learning and assessment

This module is conducted entirely online so materials can be completed at a time to suit you.

The module is delivered via the University of Sheffield’s virtual learning environment (VLE). Asynchronous learning is via the content held on the VLE, discussion forums and individual tutorials. 

Within each module there is an online reading list – all resources included are available electronically. You will also have access to the extensive University library collections and subject databases that are held digitally.

Assessment is a 3000-word assignment that examines the impact of a particular assessment method on the care and management of seriously ill patients. A critical incident from clinical practice provides the focus for the discussion.

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Contact information

Programme Leader: Tracey Moore

• Tel: +44 114 222 2056 
• Email: tracey.moore@sheffield.ac.uk