2023

Control of Symptoms I

Name: Control of Symptoms I
Code: ENF14503M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/162 hours
Scientific Area: Nursing

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

General principles in symptom control

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

Describe the sensory, cognitive, affective and behavioral components of pain and other symptoms;
Describe the potential influences of variables such as tension, anxiety, fear, fatigue in perception and response to pain and other symptoms;
Describe and use common assessment tools / scales to assess pain and / or other
perceived symptoms, to test its validity and usefulness;
Recognize that the control of different symptoms involves treating multiple dimensions of the lived experience;
Describe and use the most common methods, pharmacological and non-pharmacological available for symptom control, evaluate their effectiveness and side effects;
Evaluate specific interventions in the field of Nursing, relating theory to practice and integrating results of the best evidence.

Contents

General principles in symptom control, aimed at well-being and quality of life of the patient with intense suffering caused by an incurable or life-threatening disease, progressive and in advanced stage.
Most prevalent symptoms [Pain; Respiratory (Dyspnea, Cough); Digestive (Anorexia; Dysphagia; Xerostomia; Mucositis; Nausea and Vomiting; Hiccups; Constipation; Occlusion); Neuropsychic (Delirium; Anxiety; Depression; Tremors; Insomnia); Asthenia; Cachexia; Itching];
Epidemiological Reality; Etiology, Pathophysiology.
Multidimensionality assessment; Pain in the verbal person and non-verbal person. One-dimensional pain instruments: Pain 5th vital sign DGS Normative Circular. Apply pain scale practices. Multidimensional instruments.
Individualized Nursing Care Plan for the patient and family and / or caregiver. Pharmacological strategies (WHO analgesic ladder) and non-pharmacological strategies in the relief and management of different symptoms.

Teaching Methods

Direct oral expository methodology of the theoretical contents; discussion of clinical cases with analysis and debate in practical group work, simulations; Action Maze (maze of actions); Supporting bibliography (books, scientific articles, websites)
The assessment consists of an individual written test (multiple response test), in which one seeks to evaluate the knowledge acquired, with a weighting of 75% and analysis of a clinical case with the elaboration of a Nursing Care Plan, with a weighting of 25%.

Teaching Staff