VNRS 160: Medical - Surgical Nursing I

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Prerequisite: VNRS 150 and current admission to the Vocational Nursing program.
Corequisite: VNRS 161L.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

This course presents the theory and principles of nursing care for clients with illness and/or injury of the musculosketal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems. The course presents the principles and skills needed to perform a beginning level assessment of clients with alterations of these systems, within the scope of practice of the LVN. The course presents the application of the nursing process to the planning and care of these clients. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • demonstrate knowledge of nursing care of patients with alteration of mobility
  • demonstrate knowledge of nursing care of patients with alterations of nutrition and elimination of bodily wastes
  • demonstrate knowledge of nursing care of patients with alterations of skin integrity
  • utilize the nursing process in relating conditions or disease to therapeutic interventions

Major Course Content

  1. Principles and skills needed to assess clients with illness and/or injury of the musculoskeletal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems.
    1. Normal and abnormal functioning 
    2. Common diseases and injuries 
    3. Using the nursing process to plan client care
  2. Theories and principles of nursing care for clients with illness and/or injury of the musculoskeletal, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems.
    1. Movement, positioning, and ambulation practices and limitations
    2. Use of orthopedic devices
    3. Sterile technique
    4. Infection control and isolation techniques
    5. Wound care, dressings, and irrigations
    6. Ostomy care
    7. Burn care
    8. Gastric intubation
    9. Total parenteral nutrition
    10. Urinary catheterization    
    11. Pre- and post-operative care
    12. Oxygen therapy
    13. Airway suctioning
    14. Medication administration

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Online materials and periodicals related to course content.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Write a paper about the nursing care of clients with skin diseases. Write paper about the nursing care of clients with fractured bones. Write a paper about the nursing care of clients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read articles about the nursing care of clients with skin diseases. Read articles about the nursing care of clients with fractured bones. Read articles about the nursing care of clients with gastrointestinal disorders.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture