Clinical Detective: Cardiovascular

Course Overview

This Course will reinforce why certain diagnostic tests, observations and procedures are undertaken to confirm or eliminate potential clinical problems. Working through a realistic case study, you will be asked a series of questions designed to encourage critical thinking and develop your professional judgment.

Topics

• Case study, examinations and findings;
• Interventions, diagnosis and treatment; and
• Patient education of the clinical problem presented.

Need

We use critical thinking skills and professional judgment on a daily basis in our practice.

It is important that we continue to revise and strengthen these skills to ensure that we are able to recognise deteriorating patients and changes to conditions in a timely manner.

Purpose

The purpose of this Course is to enhance your critical thinking, assessment, and problem-solving skills by working through a case study in order to identify and act on a common clinical condition.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify the presenting signs and symptoms of the patient and patient history.
• Describe the assessment and diagnostic tests required for this patient.
• Explain the potential management and expected outcomes for this patient.
• Identify the presenting condition.

Target Audience

Registered nurses and other healthcare workers in general and acute areas will find this Course beneficial, given the prevalence and seriousness of cardiovascular conditions.

Disclosure

No conflict of interest exists for anyone in the position to control content for this activity. Wherever possible, generic or non-proprietary names of medications or products have been used.

Educator

Tracy Edwards

Tracy Edwards is a Nurse Practitioner who works in the emergency department at Modbury Public Hospital in South Australia. In this role, she works in a “see and treat” model of care. She also works with the rapid assessment team, where she is required to fulfil both clinical and educational duties. Tracy has experience as a practice nurse and has held other management positions, including acting quality and clinical risk manager. Tracy is particularly interested in vascular health and has run several extra vocational programs focused on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Tracy was a finalist in the "future leader" category for the South Australian Nursing and Midwifery Awards 2011 and won a South Australian Premiers Travelling Scholarship in 2011/12. See Educator Profile