Introduces pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and discusses how to recognize and treat the associated dysrhythmias. Covers the following topics in a broad manner: anatomy and physiology (review), general pathophysiology, geriatric considerations, assessment and management of emergencies in the areas of hematology, gastroenterology, toxicology, substance abuse, urology and nephrology, behavioral and psychiatric disorders, and environmental emergencies.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
- Preparatory
- Pathophysiology
- Life Span Development
- Pharmacology
- Medicine
- Trauma
- Special Patient Populations
- Clinical Judgment
- Utilizing the results of the patient history, assessment findings, and ECG analysis, differentiate between and provide a treatment plan for patients with a variety of conditions. (Clinical Judgment; Medicine)
- Identify and list the signs and symptoms of a dissecting thoracic or an abdominal aneurysm. (Medicine)
- Describe and identify the communication and documentation protocols with medical direction and law enforcement used for termination of resuscitation efforts. (Preparatory)
- Differentiate between gastrointestinal emergencies based on assessment findings. (Medicine)
- Synthesize assessment findings and patient history information to accurately differentiate between pain of a urologic or nephrologic emergency and that of another origin. (Medicine)
- Recommend and justify the appropriate assessment, treatment plan, and transport for several scenarios of poisoning or overdose patients. (Clinical Judgment; Medicine)
- Describe the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations and prognosis associated with: Anemia, Leukemia, Lymphomas, Polycythemia, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy, Hemophilia, Sickle Cell Disease, and Multiple Myeloma. (Pathophysiology; Medicine)
- Explain the pathophysiology, predisposing factors, signs, symptoms and management of the following: Hypothermia, Superficial, and Deep Frostbite, Near-drowning, Decompression Illness, Diving Emergency, and Altitude Illness. (Pathophysiology; Trauma)
- Differentiate between various behavioral and psychiatric disorders using the assessment and patient history findings. (Medicine)
- Compare the pharmacokinetics of an elderly patient to that of a young patient, including drug distribution, metabolism, and excretion. (Pharmacology)
- Describe the incidence, morbidity/mortality, risk factors, prevention strategies, pathophysiology, assessment, need for intervention and transport, and management for elderly medical patients with: pneumonia, COPD, pulmonary embolisms; AMI, heart failure, dysrhythmias, aneurysm, and hypertension; cerebral vascular disease, delirium, dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease; diabetes and thyroid disease; gastrointestinal problems, GI hemorrhage, and bowel obstruction; skin diseases and pressure ulcers; osteoarthritis and osteoporosis; hypothermia and hyperthermia; toxicological problems, including disorders, including depression and suicide. (Lifespan Development; Medicine; Trauma; Special Pt. Populations; Clinical Judgment)
- Recommend and justify the appropriate management, treatment plan, and transport for geriatric patients preprogrammed with simulated injuries and various complaints.(Clinical Judgment; Special Patient Populations)
Assessment and Requirements
The entire Paramedic Program is a performance-based curriculum. All students completing each level of course-work will be required to pass both the applicable performance applications as well as a comprehensive topic exam.
There is a scheduled Mid-Term and Final written exam with discretionary quizzes throughout the program.
All course participants must be able to physically complete tasks associated with the performance-based assessments. All areas of final assessment, whether written and/or practical, must meet minimal competencies of 80% or better following testing criterion.
Instructors (or their designees) reserve the right to require students to provide picture identification for test taking, graded papers or projects or other appropriate purposes.
To be determined by program faculty.