Modification History
Release |
TP Version |
Comments |
2 |
ACM10v3 |
Reference to OHS legislation replaced with generic terminology |
1 |
ACM10v1 |
Initial release. Supersedes and is equivalent to RUV5602A |
Unit Descriptor
This Unit of Competency covers the process of maintaining patient (animal) fluid therapy and nutritional requirements, monitoring wounds or surgical sites post-operatively, monitoring patients including recumbent patients post-operatively, and discharging patients that have undergone specialised surgical procedures into the care of clients (owners).
Application of the Unit
This Unit is specifically designed for nurses who work in a veterinary clinic or hospital where registered specialists perform specialised surgical procedures. Carrying out post-operative nursing routines requires access to a veterinary clinic or hospital where specialised surgical procedures are performed; veterinary surgeons that perform specialised surgical procedures; patients and clients requiring specialised surgical procedures; and the equipment, instruments and resources required to perform specialised surgical procedures.
In addition to legal and ethical responsibilities, all Units of Competency in the ACM10 Animal Care and Management Training Package have the requirement for animals to be handled gently and calmly. The individual is required to exhibit appropriate care for animals so that stress and discomfort is minimised.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this Unit. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this Unit.
Pre-Requisites
Nil
Employability Skills Information
This Unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Maintain patient fluid requirements |
1.1. Intravenous catheters are placed and maintained in accordance with clinic policies. 1.2. Patient fluid output is monitored in accordance with workplace health and safety and clinic policies and procedures. 1.3. Intravenous fluid therapy is maintained in accordance with clinic policies. |
2. Maintain patient nutritional requirements |
2.1. Specific nutritional requirements are met according to individual patient needs. 2.2. Energy requirements are calculated according to individual patient needs. 2.3. Assisted feeding procedures are carried out in accordance with clinic policies. |
3. Monitor wound or surgical site post-operatively |
3.1. Dressings and bandages are managed post-operatively in accordance with clinic policies. 3.2. Indwelling surgical drains are managed in accordance with clinic policies. 3.3. Open wounds are managed post-operatively in accordance with clinic policies. |
4. Monitor recumbent patients post-operatively |
4.1. Housing and bedding are selected in accordance with specific patient needs. 4.2. Specific nursing techniques are used to prevent and treat complications associated with recumbent patients . 4.3. Positioning aids and techniques are used in accordance with surgical procedure, disease process and individual patient needs. |
5. Monitor patients post-operatively |
5.1. Vital signs and observations are recorded and abnormalities are reported to the surgeon. 5.2. Patient care plans are prepared and implemented in consultation with the surgeon. 5.3. Recognised physical therapy techniques are applied according to patient needs. |
6. Discharge patients into the care of clients |
6.1. Specific home -nursing requirements are communicated to clients in accordance with surgeons' instructions. 6.2. Instructions on patients' physiotherapy and exercise are communicated to clients as required in accordance with veterinarians' instructions. 6.3. Follow up appointments are organised as required. |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this Unit. |
Required skills |
Ability to:
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Required knowledge |
Knowledge of:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit |
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a clinic or hospital where registered specialists are performing specialised surgical procedures. There must be access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources relevant to the specialised surgical procedures taking place in the clinic and the postoperative nursing requirements to enable one to demonstrate competence. |
Method of assessment |
To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated by carrying out postoperative nursing routines for an extensive range of patients recovering from specialised surgical procedures on a regular basis over a period of time. The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role. |
Guidance information for assessment |
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds). |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
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Specialised surgical procedures may include: |
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Maintenance of intravenous catheter sites may include: |
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Patient fluid output may include: |
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Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include: |
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Equipment to maintain intravenous fluid therapy may include: |
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Specific nutritional requirements may include: |
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Calculating energy requirements may include: |
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Assisted feeding may include: |
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Indwelling surgical drain may include: |
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Housing and bedding may include: |
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Complications associated with recumbent patients may include: |
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Vital signs and observations may include: |
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Physical therapy techniques may include: |
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Home -nursing advice may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Veterinary nursing