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Cardiovascular & Respiratory Emergencies (VETS90036)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Online
Semester 2 - Online
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This subject focuses on initial patient assessment, resuscitation, cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies as well as the pathophysiological principles and interpretation of blood gases and acid-base. The subject will cover the fundamental pathophysiological and clinical aspects of these areas. Specifically, identification and management of shock, cardiac failure, pericardial tamponade, respiratory compromise and ventilatory failure will be addressed. Students will build on knowledge that was acquired as an undergraduate and develop a deeper understanding and improved clinical confidence in these areas. On completion of this subject students will have developed the knowledge necessary to understand and interpret blood gas and acid base information.

Intended learning outcomes

At the completion of the subject, students should be able to;



  • demonstrate knowledge and skills in emergency assessment and triage including but not limited to identification of shock and assessment of severity of shock, identification of respiratory distress and the severity of this distress, identification of a patient in cardiac failure.
  • describe appropriate resuscitation techniques for different types of shock, cardiovascular and respiratory emergencies
  • indicate appropriate monitoring during shock resuscitation and list appropriate resuscitation goals
  • outline the limitations of monitoring tools used in patients with shock, cardiac and respiratory emergencies
  • describe the fundamental pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
  • name appropriate settings for mechanical ventilation of a patient with normal lungs and for a patient with poorly compliant lungs
  • list possible complications associated with mechanical ventilation
  • demonstrate understanding of the physiology of blood gases, oxygen delivery, and acid-base
  • interpret blood gas and acid base information
  • demonstrate knowledge of the physiology of lactate
  • demonstrate understanding of the use of lactate and as indicator and monitoring tool
  • demonstrate sound decision making of the diagnostic tests and monitoring choices used that allow further assessment of cardiac and respiratory emergencies
  • apply the core principles covered in this subject to case studies

Generic skills

On completion of this subject students should have developed:

  • problem-solving skills
  • analytic skills
  • increased confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems
  • the capacity to manage competing demands on time

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted in the Graduate Certificate in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care. This subject is not available for students admitted in any other courses.

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Experience in small animal veterinary practice.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Assessment

Additional details

  • Self-assessment by multiple choice questions, 10 MCQ for each of 10 tutorials, takes 20 minutes - 200 minutes total - following each tutorial and one prior to subject completion, (20%)
  • 50 MCQ open book examination, takes 100 minutes, during exam week, (50%). To pass this examination, a minimum mark of 70% is required.
  • Interpretation of 25 case studies assessed by structured questions pertaining to each case - 5 MCQ per case - total time is 250 minutes, throughout the semester, (30%)

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Dates & times

Time commitment details

170 hours per 12.5 credit point subject

Additional delivery details

The online contact hours include;

  • online tutorials
  • online lectures
  • exercises
  • webinars

Last updated: 3 November 2022

Further information

Last updated: 3 November 2022