MID3202 - Supporting the newborn infant - 2019

This unit will use evidence-based theory to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to assess the newborn infant and initiate appropriate nursing interventions under the guidance of a paediatrician on the postnatal ward or in a Special Care Nursery (SCN).

Anatomy and physiology relating to the newborn infant and common neonatal conditions will be explored. Human lactation and nutritional choices for healthy babies on the postnatal ward, and sick and preterm babies in SCN will be addressed.

Students will develop an understanding of multidisciplinary care and collaborative practice in the management of sick newborn infants.

Socio-cultural elements surrounding the care of newborns and their families will be explored.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically examine the social-cultural context in the provision of care to babies and their families in Australia and globally;
2. Describe normal anatomical and physiological changes during transition from intra-uterine to extra-uterine life, to enable recognition of deviations from normal health;
3. Outline fetal, maternal and intrapartum risk factors associated with maladaptive transition to extra-uterine life and describe appropriate midwifery management;
4. Review the physiology of lactation, outlining strategies to promote and protect breast feeding, including the nutritional adaptions that may be required for preterm and sick infants;
5. Outline the circumstances and neonatal conditions that may necessitate admission of a baby to a SCN;
6. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to resuscitate and stabilise a newborn infant;
7. Identify the role and rights of parents in decision-making for their newborn in association with the multidisciplinary SCN team;
8. List strategies designed to deliver culturally appropriate care for vulnerable families in SCN, including refugees, asylum seekers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders;
9. Employ reflective practice strategies to inform implementation of evidence-based holistic care for women, babies and their families, enabling appropriate clinical decision making;
10. Demonstrate developing midwifery competence based upon the Nursing and Midwifery (NMBA) 'Midwife standards for practice';

Clinical placement: 160 hours.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

• Essay (3,000 words) (25%),
• Exam (2 hours) (45%) (Hurdle)
• Clinical Placement Special Care Nursery (80 hours) (15%) (Hurdle)
• Clinical Placement Post Natal (80 hours) (15%) (Hurdle)
• Continuity of care clinical report x 2 (500 words each) (Hurdle).

All students must complete a PIPER NeoResus First Response Program (Hurdle)

Lectures, Tutorials, Laboratories: 54 hours

Clinical: 160 hours

Individual Study: 98 hours

See also Unit timetable information

Nursing and midwifery