SALEM COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

SPECIALTIES

Course Code: HLH 198 Lecture Hours: 5 Laboratory Hours: 2 Credits: 6

Course Description:
This course includes three major areas of focus. The mental health focus is
on patient psychological needs and skilled communication. The maternal-
child focus includes the nursing care from the antepartum to the post
partum period. The care of children from infancy through adolescence is
also included. Content specific medications are reviewed.
Additionally, tips for test taking success for the NCLEX-PN are included
along with computer assisted testing (CAT). Students are expected to pass
the HESI comprehensive exam in order to pass the course.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of HLH 178, HLH 179 and HLH 170.

Co-requisite: HLH 188, HLH 189, and HLH 199

Place in College Curriculum: This course is taken in the second semester of the Practical Nursing Program,
and must be passed with a grade of “78” or better.
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Course Content Outline

A. Maternal-Child Focus

I. Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

A. Anatomy
B. Methods of Measurement
C. Pelvic Organs
D. Soft Tissues of Vulva
E. Uterus
F. Perineum
G. Menstrual Cycle
H. Male Parent

II. Prelude
A. Embryology and Fetal Development
B. The Fetus

III. Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy

A. Presumptive Signs
B. Probable Signs
C. Positive Signs

IV. Prenatal Care

A. Goals and Importance of Prenatal Care
B. First Visit to Physician
C. Subsequent Visits

V. Parturition
A. Presentation, Positions, and Progress
1. Mechanism of Labor
2. Three Stages of Labor
3. Fourth Stage (recovery)
B. Labor and Delivery
1. Signs of Impending Labor
2. Trip to Hospital
3. Admission
4. Perineal Shave
5. Delivery-room Enema Technique
6. Timing Contractions
7. Fetal Heart Tones
8. Continuing Care
9. Delivery Room Setup and Normal Delivery

VI. Analgesia and Anesthesia

A. Methods of Relief
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B. Analgesia
1. First Stage
2. Second Stage
3. Third Stage
C. Education for Childbirth

VII. The Mother-Complications of Pregnancy and Delivery

A. Minor Problems
B. Major Complications

VIII. Postpartum Period

A. Admission
B. Catheterization
C. Continuing Care
D. Bath Procedure
E. Breast Care
F. Special Considerations

IX. The Normal Newborn

A. Appearance of Normal Newborn
B. Physical Needs

X. The Premature Infant

A. Characteristics of Premature Infant
B. Special Needs

B. Pediatric Focus

I. Hospitalization of Child
A. Preparation of Child
B. Separation of Anxiety

II. The Child Surgical Patient

III. History of Child Care and Health Promotion

A. Immunizations
B. Injury Prevention

IV. Basic Pediatric Nursing Care

A. Nursing Implications of Growth and Development
B. Physical Assessment of the Pediatric Patient
C. Nutritional Factors
D. Sleep and Communication
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V. Common Pediatric Procedures

A. Bathing
B. Feedings
C. Safety Reminder Devices
D. Oxygen Therapy
E. Safety

VI. Care of Children with Physical Problems

A. Disorders of Cardiovascular Function
B. Disorders of hematological Function
C. Disorders of Respiratory Function
D. Disorders of Gastrointestinal Function
E. Disorders of Genitourinary Function
F. Disorders of Endocrine Function
G. Disorders of Musculoskeletal Function
H. Disorders of Integumentary Function
I. Disorders of Sensory Organ Function

VII. Miscellaneous

C. Mental Health Focus:

I. Therapeutic Communication
A. Nurse Client Relationship
B. Communication Techniques

II. Mental Health Assessment

A. Nursing History
B. Psychosocial Evaluation
C. The Nursing Diagnosis
D. Sociocultural Influences on Mental Health
E. The Use of Defense Mechanisms

III. Mental Health Disorders and the Nursing Process

A. Anxiety Disorders
1. Generalized
2. Phobia
3. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
B. Affective (mood) Disorders
1. Major Depression
2. Suicide
3. Grieving
4. Bi Polar Disorders
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C. Personality Disorders
1. Antisocial Personality
2. Borderline Personality
3. Paranoid Personality
4. Passive Aggressive Personality
5. Schizoid Personality
D. Somatoform Disorders
1. Somatization Disorder
2. Conversion Disorder
E. Eating Disorders
1. Anorexia Nervosa
2. Bulimia Nervosa
F. Schizophrenic Disorders
1. Catatonic Type
2. Disorganized Type
3. Paranoid Type
4. Undifferentiated Type
5. Residual Type
G. Substance Abuse
1. Alcohol
2. Other Drugs
3. Codependency
H. Organic Mental Disorders

IV. Treatment Emergencies and Crisis Intervention

A. Suicide
B. Victims of Abuse

V. Psychotropic Drugs

D. NCLEX-PN Review Strategies

I. Practice Testing
A. CAT related to material-child care
B. CAT related to NCLEX-PN exam
C. ERI Test

II. HESI—Summative Exam

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Course Performance Objective #1

The student will be able to identify the needs of the childbearing client from Ante-Partum
through Post-Partum.

Enabling Objectives:
1. The student will define the term "maternal mortality".
2. The student will list four factors which help contribute to the maternal death rate in the U.S.
3. The student will list the three most common causes of maternal death.
4. The student will discuss the physiology of the menstrual cycle and reproduction.
5. The student will define the terms conception, fertilization, and implantation.
6. The student will describe the stages of fetal development from conception through forty weeks.
7. The student will explain placental development and function.
8. The student will be given a diagram of fetal circulation, label the following structures; umbilical
vein, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus, pulmonary artery, placenta, and umbilical arteries.
9. The student will explain the changes which take place in fetal circulation at birth.
10. The student will describe the common methods used to evaluate the stage of fetal growth
and general fetal health in utero.
11. The student will list and describe the presumptive, probable and positive signs of pregnancy.
12. The student will discuss the procedures that are usually performed during the expectant
mother's first visit to the physician's office or clinic.
13. The student will be given a hypothetical date for the first day of a woman's last menstrual
period, calculate her EDC utilizing Nagele's rule.
14. The student will discuss the procedures the expectant mother can expect on subsequent visits
to the physician's office or clinic.
15. The student will discuss the effects of smoking, alcohol and heroin on the fetus.
16. The student will discuss the general hygiene, bathing, wardrobe, and permissible activities of
the pregnant woman.
17. The student will define the terms: presentation, attitude, lie, position, station, engagement,
effacement, and show.
18. The student will describe the physical and psychological changes which take place during
each trimester of pregnancy.
19. The student will describe the normal mechanism of labor including descent, flexion,
engagement, internal rotation, extension, external rotation, and expulsion.
20. The student will list and describe the three stages of labor.
21. The student will describe the differences between a primipara and a multipara labor.
22. The student will explain the differences between true and false labor.
23. The student will discuss the role of the practical nurse in the labor and delivery process.
24. The student will describe the nursing care of a woman during labor and delivery.
25. The student will describe immediate care of the baby following birth.
26. The student will give a description of a hypothetical newborn infant, correctly assign it a
Apgar score.
27. The student will list two complications that may occur during the process of labor and delivery.
28. The student will discuss the nursing care for the mother undergoing cesarean section.
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29. The student will list and explain four major problems of pregnancy and childbirth, including
etiology, symptoms, nursing care, and treatment.
30. The student will discuss the toxemia of pregnancy including symptoms, theories, treatment,
and nursing care.
31. The student will describe the nursing care of the bleeding patient.
32. The student will describe the nursing care of the postpartum woman.
33. The student will list five signs and symptoms of post partum complications and explain their
significance.

Course Performance Objective #2

The student will be able to identify health care needs for a child from infancy through adolescence.

Enabling Objectives:

1. The student will describe the appearance of both a normal and a premature newborn infant.
2. The student will identify the nursing care that is appropriate for a hospitalized infant.
3. The student will describe the fears and anxieties that are specific to hospitalized children of various ages.
4. The student will identify the intra muscular injection sites used for infants and children and explain the
rationale for their use.
5. The student will describe preoperative preparation for children.
6. The student will describe the immunizations that are appropriate for each age group.
7. The student will describe the common congenital anomalies and appropriate nursing care.
8. The student will identify safety precautions for the prevention of accidents in the toddler stage.
9. The student will describe the types of child abuse that occur and the proper method of reporting.
10. The student will describe the nursing care for common medical-surgical disorders affecting children.

Course Performance Objective #3

The student will be able to identify the emotional needs of patients.

Enabling Objectives:

1. The student will discuss the attitudes of self and others concerning mental illness.
2. The student will describe how self-understanding is a basis for understanding others.
3. The student will identify and discuss some general factors that influence patient's reactions to
illness.
4. The student will define and differentiate mental illness and mental health.
5. The student will discuss the factors which may contribute to mental illness.
6. The student will be able to define and give an example of each major defense mechanism.
7. The student will explain what all defense mechanisms have in common; and what
constructive purpose defenses serve.
8. The student will describe the legal implications related to mental illness.
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9. The student will discuss the various types of therapies used in treating psychiatric illness.
10. The student will list six behavioral signs of anxiety.
11. The student will discuss the nursing care of the anxious patient.
12. The student will define schizophrenia.
13. The student will list and define six signs and symptoms of the schizophrenic patient.
14. The student will list six behavioral signs of the depressed patient.
15. The student will discuss the nursing care of the depressed patient.
16. The student will define bipolar disorder and discuss the nursing care.
17. The student will define personality disorder.
18. The student will list 4 common personality disorders.
19. The student will define codependency and list 5 examples of codependent behavior.
20. The student will list 10 signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse.
21. The student will list 3 treatments for drug and alcohol abuse.
22. The student will identify warning signs of suicide.
23. The student will identify nursing care for people who are suicidal.

Course Performance Objective #4

The student will develop strategies to prepare for the NCLEX-PN exam.
Enabling Objectives:

1. The student will explain the terms needed to understand exam items.
2. The student will relate paper and pen test taking strategies to the CAT.
3. The student will review the current NCLEX-PN Test Plan.
4. The student will successfully complete the assigned CAT.
5. The student will successfully complete the formative comprehensive ERI Total Testing® Exam.

Course Performance Objective #5

The student will successfully complete the HESI Exam.

Enabling Objectives:

1. The student will receive a score of 850 or higher within the first two attempts.
2. The student will remediate immediately after the first attempt if unsuccessful.
3. The student will complete a review course approved by the Director of Nursing after the second attempt
if unsuccessful and receive an “I” grade.
4. The student will attempt the test a third time and if successful have their grade changed from “I” to the
appropriate letter grade.
5. The student will after the third unsuccessful attempt fail the course and have to repeat all second
semester coursework.
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General Education Requirements:

The general education goals covered are critical thinking and problem solving. See student
handbook for additional details.

Course Activities:

Classroom and laboratory activities will include lecture, discussion, demonstration, observations, computer
activities and group work in the classroom.

Course Requirements and Means of Evaluation: The student will be evaluated to the degree to
which student learning outcomes are achieved. A variety of methods are used such as
PowerPoint presentations, student participation, assignments, written work, CAT, summative
HESI testing. Refer to instructor’s addendum.

Final grades will be determined using the following scale:

Grading System:
Letter Grade Numerical Value Grade Points
A 93-100 4.0
A- 90-92 3.7
B+ 88-89 3.3
B 83-87 3.0
B- 80-82 2.7
C+ 78-79 2.3
C 73-77 2.0
C- 70-72 1.7
D+ 68-69 1.3
D 60-67 1.0
F Below 60 0
F/A* Below 60 0
*The F/A grade is given for failing the course and missing 30 percent or more of the course.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and observations. Refer to
College catalog.

Academic Honesty Policy: Students found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty
may be subject to failure in this course, academic probation, and/or suspension from the college.
See the Student Handbook for additional details.
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Textbooks:

Eby, L. and Brown, N. (2005) Mental Health Nursing Care, Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

Rosdahl, C. Kowalski, M. (2004) Textbook of Basic Nursing (8th ed.) Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins,
Philadelphia, PA

Optional Textbooks: None

Materials or Supplies: No additional

Additional Costs: HESI Exam $35 each attempt.

References: None