The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning outcomes

To give to the students a basic knowledge on the main urgencies and emergencies in Medicine, including early recognition of life-threatening conditions, flow-charts regarding the main acute syndromes, with particular reference to the specific role of the nurse.

Program

APPROACH TO ACUTE CHEST PAIN IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.
Rapid recognition of life-threatening conditions (Acute Coronary Syndromes, Pulmonary Embolism, Hypertensive Pneumothorax, Mediastinitis, Aortic Dissection, Pericardial Tamponade). Differential diagnosis (principles).
ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROMES (ACS)
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI), Unstable Angina (UA).
Definitions, pathophysiology, symptoms. Role of the nurse in the management of patients with ACS. Principles of treatment of ACS. Recognition and management of the main complications, like cardiogenic shock and arrhythmias (particularly Ventricular Fibrillation and III-degree Atrioventricular Block. The main drugs used for cardiovascular urgencies and emergencies (mechanism of action, indications/contraindications, adverse reactions).
AORTIC DISSECTION
Definition, pathophysiology, symptoms. Principles of diagnosis and treatment.
CARDIOGENIC ACUTE PULMONARY EDEMA
Definitions, pathophysiology, symptoms. Principles of diagnosis and treatment. Role of the nurse in the management of patients with cardiogenic acute pulmonary edema.
NON-CARDIOGENIC ACUTE PULMONARY EDEMA (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, ARDS)
Definition, pathophysiology, symptoms. Principles of diagnosis and treatment. Role of the nurse in the management of patients with non-cardiogenic acute pulmonary edema. VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM (VTE)
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism. Definition, pathophysiology, symptoms. Risk factors. Strategies for VTE prevention. Diagnostic algorithms. Role of the Well’s score (or other similar scores) and of D-dimer. Principles of VTE treatment.
MAIN ACUTE ORGAN FAILURES. ACUTE LIVER FAILURE
Definition, pathophysiology, symptoms. Porto-Systemic Encephalopathy.
Main acute complications in the cirrhotic patient. Principles of diagnosis and treatment. MAIN METABOLIC URGENCIES. MAIN ACUTE COMPLICATIONS IN THE PATIENT WITH DIABETES MELLITUS. DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIABETIC COMA.
Classification. Definition, pathophysiology, symptoms. Principles of diagnosis and treatment. Role of the nurse in the management of patients with diabetic coma.
MAIN INTOXICATIONS/POISONING
Approach in the emergency room. Clinical recognition based on physical examination (vital signs, ocular signs, body temperature, halitosis, cutaneous discoloration). Acetaminophen intoxication and other intoxications by commonly used drugs. Acute alcoholic intoxication. Opioid intoxication. Cocaine intoxication. CO intoxication.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

Multiple-choice items with automated correction