Recognising and Responding to a Deteriorating Patient - Module UZTK9S-20-3

Sep 20, 2026

The module develops nurses’ knowledge and skills to assess and evaluate patients at risk of clinical deterioration. It covers key theoretical concepts and applies them through clinical scenarios to support timely assessment and appropriate interventions. Learning activities include lectures, mini lectures, video, student-led seminar series, group discussion, and e-learning. Assessment combines an OSCE and a critical, research-supported case study evaluating the ABCDE approach and relevant examination techniques.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Module overview

Module specification

Description

Key learning themes

Acutely ill patient assessment

Respiratory, cardiac, neurological, renal and septic deterioration

Pain, communication, and ethics

Assessment

Formative strategy

Summative assessment components

Learning outcomes

MODULE SPECIFICATION | Part 1: Information | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Module Title | Recognising and Responding to a Deteriorating Patient | | | | Module Code | UZTK9S-20-3 | Level | 3 | | For implementation from | September 2019 | | | | UWE Credit Rating | 20 | ECTS Credit
Rating | 10 | | Faculty | HAS | Field | Continuing Care Adult Nursing | | Department | Nursing and Midwifery | | | | Contributes towards | MSc Nursing (International) | | | | Module type: | Standard | | | | Pre-requisites | None | | | | Excluded Combinations | UZTK9T-20-M Recognising and Responding to a Deteriorating Patient | | | | Co-requisites | None | | | | Module Entry requirements | Offered as CPD or stand alone | | | | Part 2: Description | | --- | | The module enables nurses to gain further knowledge and skills in the assessment and evaluation of the care of patients at risk of deterioration. The module explores theoretical concepts associated with the assessment and management of patients who are clinically deteriorating. Clinical scenarios will be used to guide knowledge and skills development, appraising the need for timely assessment and appropriate interventions to prevent deterioration.
A range of approaches including student led seminar series; lecture, mini lecture, video and group discussion will enable students to learn in an inclusive environment. Where appropriate students will bring examples from their own professional practice in order to facilitate an appreciation of the benefits and the limitations of particular theoretical approaches.
In relation to agreed assessment topic, students are expected to identify relevant reading material to reflect independent learning. | | Assessing an acutely ill patient
􀁸 Systematic approach to clinical assessment using the ABCDE approach
􀁸 Recognising changes and using a multidisciplinary communication tool
􀁸 Using a clinical early warning score tool
Deteriorating respiratory patient
􀁸 Airway and breathing assessment and management
􀁸 Acute, chronic, and acute exacerbations of respiratory problems
􀁸 Assessing and managing problems with oxygenation
Deteriorating cardiac patient
􀁸 Cardiac assessment and management
􀁸 Acute, chronic, and acute exacerbations of cardiac problems
􀁸 The hypotensive patient
Deteriorating neurological patient
􀁸 Identify and manage causes of reduced consciousness
􀁸 Assessment and management of the patient with neurological deficit
􀁸 Immediate emergency management of a patient with a disordered conscious level
Deteriorating renal patient
􀁸 Assessing and management of Acute Kidney Injury
􀁸 Managing the oliguric patient
􀁸 Assessment and management of fluid balance
Deteriorating septic patient
􀁸 Assessment and management of a patient with sepsis
􀁸 Recognising sepsis in acute and community setting
􀁸 Decision making skills for patients with signs of sepsis
The deteriorating patient in pain
􀁸 Management and assessment of the patient in pain.
􀁸 Monitoring pain and sedation
􀁸 Interventions and adjuncts in pain relief
Organisational, communication and ethics in caring for the deteriorating patient.
􀁸 Team communication and organising skills
􀁸 Breaking bad news
􀁸 Collaborative decision making with deteriorating patients
A variety of approaches will be used which may include e-learning, lectures, seminars, group work and self-directed study. | | --- | | Part 3: Assessment | | Formative strategy
Online Class tests exploring the content of each theme. 1 practice OSCE with Feedback. This will allow the students to test their knowledge, prepare themselves for the process of the OSCE and give them an opportunity to apply their knowledge to a clinical scenario.
Summative Assessment. | | Component A
The learner will independently conduct an advanced clinical examination under exam conditions in the form of an observed structured clinical examinati

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the module?

The module enables nurses to build assessment and evaluation skills for patients at risk of deterioration, using theory and clinical scenarios to support timely assessment and interventions.

How do students develop knowledge and skills during the module?

Students use inclusive learning approaches such as lectures, mini lectures, video, student-led seminars, group discussion, e-learning, and self-directed study, with opportunities to draw on examples from their professional practice.

What are the summative assessment components and their weighting?

Component A is an OSCE (50%), and Component B is a 2000-word case study critically evaluating the ABCDE approach and relevant interventions and techniques (50%).

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Anna Hans