Maternal-Neonatal Nursing

Class

A study of the biological, psychological, and sociological concepts applicable to basic needs of the family including childbearing and neonatal care. Utilization of the nursing process in the assessment and management of the childbearing family. Topics include physiological changes related to pregnancy, fetal development, and nursing care of the family during labor and delivery and the puerperium. CIP Code Description: 51.3901 VNSG 1230 (Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training) 32 Contact hours, 2 Semester Credit Hours. 

Course Learning Objectives

Discuss human reproduction and fetal development as related to the normal aspects of childbearing; identify common complications of the mother and newborn during prenatal, antenatal, and postnatal periods; and relate characteristics of the normal newborn and associated nursing interventions to meet identified health care needs utilizing the nursing process.   

  1. Relate historic highlights of maternal and infant care, reasons for progress in   obstetrics, and current trends alternatively, problems in maternal-newborn care. (D II-B, C, F; S C7)  
    1. Define terms used to discuss history and trends in obstetrics.  
    2. Name two factors that reduced maternal and infant illness and death. 
    3. Describe current trends occurring in maternal-newborn care.  
  2. Explain the basic physiology of pregnancy and fetal development. (D II-A; S C5, F8,9) 
    1. Identify female anatomy and contributions to the reproductive process. 
    2. Identify male anatomy and contributions to the reproductive process. 
    3. Describe the physical changes that take place during pregnancy.  
    4. Discuss the development of the fetus.  
  3. Perform a basic maternal antepartum assessment. (D II-D, F; III-B; S C5,6 F9, F10)
    1. Identify goals of antepartum care. 
    2. List components of the assessment to be done at the first antepartum

visit. 

        1.   Describe the sequence of the pelvic exam.  
        2. List components of the assessment to be done at antepartum visit 
        3. Calculate the expected date of delivery (EDD), using Nagele's rule, uterine size, etc. D. Understand/Help develop a nursing care plan for antepartum care. (D IIIB,C: IV-A: S C5,6;  F12) 
      1. Describe steps of the nursing process. 
      2. Identify sources of data for the antepartum client. 
      3. Identify nursing diagnosis appropriate for the antepartum client. 
      4. Establish appropriate goals for each diagnosis. 
      5. Plan nursing care using knowledge of basic physiology, normal signs and symptoms of pregnancy, danger signs, general hygiene, nutrition, minor discomforts, sexuality, activity, rest, teratogenic factors, etc.   
      6. Evaluate goals. 
  1. Discuss normal labor and childbirth, including methods for stress reduction/pain management. (D I-C; III-C, F; IV A, B, C; S C5,6 F7; F8) 1. Define terms used to discuss labor and childbirth. 
    1. Discuss signs and symptoms of impending labor.  
    2. Differentiate between Braxton-Hicks contractions and true labor contractions. 
    3. Describe various settings for labor and childbirth.  
    4. Describe the four stages of labor and the approximate duration of each for primiparas and multiparas. 
    5. Define passage, passenger, and powers; tell how each affects the processes of labor and childbirth.  
    6. Use a pelvic model and fetal mannequin to depict various fetal positions; identify the most common. 
    7. List the seven movements in the mechanism of labor/childbirth using an LOA fetal position as an example. 
    8. Describe three types of breech presentations. 
    9. Describe different factors that influence the client's perception of discomfort during labor/childbirth. 
    10. Name factors that determine the timing and dosage of analgesia given during labor.  
    11. Describe the effect on the client of an epidural anesthesia.  
    12. Explain the concept of psycho-prophylactic preparation for childbirth.  
  2. Identify nursing measures to care for the postpartum woman. (D I-B; II-A; III-C; S C5,6,7 F8,9) 
    1. Describe postpartum assessment of the new mother. Identify the physiological changes that occur in the postpartum period.  
    2. Discuss the psychosocial adaptations that occur during the postpartum period.  
    3. Discuss the nursing responsibilities when caring for the postpartum patient.  
  3. Describe the nursing assessment and care of the normal newborn. (D II-D; III-C) 
    1. Review the assessment of the normal newborn.  
    2. Identify the physical characteristics of the normal newborn. 
    3. Develop a plan of care for the newborn.  
  4. Distinguish between various methods of family planning. (D II-G; IV-A, B, D) 
    1. Explain different methods of contraception. 
    2. Discuss nursing interventions.  
  5. Recognize complications associated with pregnancy and childbirth. (D II-A,D; III-B, C, F) 
    1. Define key terms. 
    2. Explain complications that may arise during the pregnancy of a woman with preexisting medical problems. 
    3. Relate appropriate nursing care for the woman with hyperemesis gravidarum, bleeding, pregnancy- induced hypertension, or substance abuse problems. Identify the nursing responsibilities for the care of a labor patient with abnormal labor patterns. 
    4. Describe complications that can occur during childbirth.  
  6. Discuss and develop plan of care for the pregnant woman using diet therapy. (D IV-A, B, C) 
    1. List nutrients and calories needed for the pregnant woman. 
    2. To discuss modifications in diet therapy needed for the different aspects and conditions involved with pregnancy.  
  7. Discuss the nursing care of the newborn at risk for complications. (D II-A,D; III-B, C, F) 
    1. Identify concerns related to preterm infants.  
    2. Explain the hemolytic diseases of the newborn. 
    3. Organize a care plan for the newborn at risk.  
Required Textbooks

Foundations and Adult Health Nursing 8th Ed. Cooper, K.& Gosnell, K. (2019)

Study Guide for Foundations in Adult Health Nursing 8th Ed.  Cooper, K & Gosnell, K. (2019)

On Campus Lecture, Kahoot games, Hybrid Courses and Weekly Power Point Presentations Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing; NCLEX Case Studies

 

Evaluation Standards

 Unit Exams are equivalent to 55% of the final semester grade 

  1. Unit exams should be taken when scheduled. 
  2. No exam will be given before the scheduled time or date. 
  3. If a test is missed due to an absence, the student must contact the instructor upon first day of return to Weatherford College to schedule make-up exam.
  4. Fifteen points will be automatically deducted for make-up exams. Make-up exams are at the discretion of the instructor. 
  5. The student is responsible to seek out the instructor, and/or testing center to arrange for an appointed time for the make-up exam.
  6.  Assignments/EAQs are equivalent to 50% of the final semester grade.  The EAQs must be submitted on time and completed at a level three.  Per instructions, they should be uploaded in the appropriate area.  Any EAQ below a level three will result in a zero in the gradebook.
  1.  Maintenance and awareness of grades and attendance are the responsibility of the individual student.
  2.  One absence is allotted for class per semester. Please refer to the Student Vocational Nursing Policy Manual for detailed attendance guidelines.
  3.  Failure to achieve a final average course grade of 75% or better will result in course failure and will keep the student from progressing to the summer semester as outlined in the SVN Policy Manual.
  4.  If at any time during the semester the student encounters course difficulty or concerns it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor immediate to obtain proper and immediate resolution.

 Exam Procedures:

The Weatherford College Vocational Nursing Program exam policy, which can be found in the VNP Student Handbook, will be followed for this course.

Students are encouraged to review the rationale of questions for computerized tests immediately after submitting the exam.

Students that score less than 75% on an exam are encouraged to meet with the instructor to identify strategies for improvement of exam scores. Please see course schedule for exam dates.

Grading:

Evaluation

Percent

Assignments/EAQs

30%

Case Studies 10%

Unit Exams

55%

Final/HESI Exams 5%

Total Evaluation

100%

A     89.5 to 100

B     79.5 to < 89.5

C     74.5 to <79.5

F    <74.5

Instructional Methods

Didactic portion to include lecture, PowerPoint presentation, study guides, quizzes, food diaries, interactive Kahoot game(s)

Disabilities

ADA Statement:

Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.

Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
SCANS

Essential Competencies (DECs) & Secretaries Commission of Achieving Necessary Skills 

Differentiated (SCANS) will be aligned throughout the syllabus.  Essential Competencies of Graduates of Texas Vocational Nursing Educational programs and SCANS competencies can be accessed from Texas Board of Nursing.   SCANS information can be obtained from the document Identifying and Describing The Skills Required by Work published by The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Work Skills.  

I. Member of the Profession 

  1. Function within the nurse’s legal scope of practice and in accordance with regulation and the policies and procedures of the employing health care institution or practice setting.
  2. Assume responsibility and accountability for the quality of nursing care provided to patients and their families.
  3. Contribute to activities that promote the development and practice of vocational nursing. 
  4. Demonstrate responsibility for continued competence in nursing practice, and develop insight through reflection, self-analysis, self-care, and lifelong learning. 
  5. Provider of Patient-Centered Care 
    1. Use clinical reasoning and knowledge based on the vocational nursing program of study and established evidence-based practice as the basis for decision-making in nursing practice.
    2. Assist in determining the physical and mental health status, needs, and preferences influenced by culture, spirituality, ethnicity, identity, and social diversity of patients and their families, and in interpreting health-related data based on knowledge derived from the vocational nursing program of study. 
    3. Report data to assist in the identification of problems and formulation of goals/outcomes and patient-centered plans of care in collaboration with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team.
    4. Provide safe, compassionate, basic nursing care to assigned patients with predictable health care needs through a supervised, directed scope of practice.
    5. Implement aspects of the plan of care within legal, ethical, and regulatory parameters and in consideration of patient factors. 
    6. Identify and report alterations in patient responses to therapeutic interventions in comparison to expected outcomes. 
    7. Implement teaching plans for patients and their families with common health problems and well-defined health learning needs. 
    8. Assist in the coordination of human, information, and physical resources in providing care for assigned patients and their families.
  6. Patient Safety Advocate 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge of the Texas Nursing Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing Rules that emphasize safety, as well as all federal, state, and local government and accreditation organization safety requirements and standards. 
    2. Implement measures to promote quality and a safe environment for patients, self, and others. 
    3. Assist in the formulation of goals and outcomes to reduce patient risks. 
    4. Obtain instruction, supervision, or training as needed when implementing nursing procedures or practices.
    5. Comply with mandatory reporting requirements of the Texas Nursing Practice Act. 
    6. Accept and make assignments that take into consideration patient safety and organizational policy. 
  7. Member of the Health Care Team
    1. Communicate and collaborate in a timely manner with patients, their families, and the interdisciplinary health care team to assist in the planning, delivery, and coordination of patient-centered care to assigned patients. 
    2. Participate as an advocate in activities that focus on improving the health care of patients and their families. 
    3. Participate in the identification of patient needs for referral to resources that facilitate continuity of care, and ensure confidentiality.
    4. Communicate patient data using technology to support decision-making to improve patient care. 
    5. Assign nursing activities to LVNs or unlicensed personnel based upon an analysis of patient or work place need. 
    6. Supervise nursing care by others for whom the nurse is responsible.
    7. Assist health care teams during local or global health emergencies or pandemics to promote health and safety, and prevent disease.