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Concept:         Perfusion

Definition:      Perfusion is defined as the exchange of blood, gases, and fluids between the vessels, tissues, and organ systems

Exemplars:    

• Vascular dysfunctions (hypertension, vascular insufficiency)
•  Cardiac dysfunctions (heart failure, infectious / inflammatory heart disease)
•  Hematologic dysfunctions (clotting disorders, anemia, blood transfusions)

Course Objectives:    related to Perfusion

Upon completion of this course students will be able to:

• apply the nursing process to meet the homeostasis, perfusion, oxygenation, and metabolism needs of patients in acute care settings; [I, II] (7)
• recognize abnormalities when performing focused patient assessments then effectively communicate and document this information appropriately; [I] (7, 11)
• use informatics to assist patients in improving health outcomes; [II, IV] (4)
• design patient-centered teaching plans for patients with alterations in homeostasis, perfusion, oxygenation, and metabolism; [I] (12)
• apply pharmacodynamic principles when administering medications that affect perfusion; [I, II, IV] (8, 10, 11)
• compare the abnormalities that can occur in the arterial and venous circulatory system; [II] 13)

Overview:     Perfusion

This unit introduces the student to the concept of Perfusion from assessment through evaluation. Assessment of normal physiology and the recognition of and interventions for common abnormalities will be discussed.  Nursing care focuses on optimizing circulation and teaching methods to maintain circulation and prevent interruption of movement of blood, fluids, and gases throughout the body. Emphasis will be placed on assessment skills and working with IV therapies. Medication knowledge and administration plays an important part within this concept Exemplars for this class regarding perfusion are hypertension, vascular insufficiency, heart failure, infectious/inflammatory heart disease, clotting disorders, anemia, and blood transfusions.

Unit Objectives:     Perfusion

At the conclusion of this unit the student will be able to:

Assessment

1.  summarize the exchange of blood, gases, and fluids between the vessels, tissues, and   organ systems;
2. compare and contrast between normal and abnormal perfusion assessments;
3. discuss major patient risk factors across the life span that could interfere with optimal  perfusion;

4. discuss nursing care to support psychosocial concepts related to patients with perfusion  dysfunction;

5. explain the pathophysiology of the select perfusion exemplars;
6. interpretpertinent laboratory and diagnostic findings for patients experiencing perfusion disturbances;

7. compare and contrast blood products available for transfusion;

Plan

1. describe Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) agents that can influence perfusion;
2. develop a plan of care, utilizing the nursing process, for patients with perfusion dysfunction;
3. identify the priority nursing diagnoses most appropriate for a patient with a perfusion  dysfunction;
4. describe the health promotion activities that decrease the incidence of perfusion dysfunction;
5. identify community-based health care resources to assist a patient that requires support to meet perfusion needs;

Implementation

1.  describe the nursing interventions and the related evidence based practices that can be  used to optimize perfusion;
2. discuss the collaborative modes of therapy and the nursing management of patients with perfusion dysfunction;
3. apply essential pharmacological principals to the management of patients with perfusion dysfunction;
4. identify the specific learning needs that promote self-management in the patient with perfusion dysfunction;
5. describe the nursing interventions for safe administration of blood products;

Evaluation

1.  discuss related bio-physical concepts and how they are used to evaluate the care of patient with perfusion dysfunction;
2. evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care in patients with a perfusion dysfunction; and
3. evaluate the potential problems which could cause adverse reactions during the transfusion of blood products.