Ateneo - UPO

The course covers the main topics of Internal Medicine relevant to nursing practice, with particular emphasis on the recognition and interpretation of signs and symptoms of common adult diseases. Topics include the role of healthcare professionals in collecting, processing and communicating clinical information, principles of clinical methodology and interdisciplinary communication, constitutional symptoms and pain, as well as the recognition of symptoms and signs associated with potentially life-threatening conditions.The course also addresses disorders of consciousness, syncope and shock, major cardiovascular risk factors, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis and the pathophysiological mechanisms of thrombosis. Additional topics include basic interpretation of arterial blood gas analysis, respiratory pathophysiology, non-invasive ventilation and the main respiratory diseases affecting adults.The course further examines the principal gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders, the most common hematological abnormalities encountered in Internal Medicine, and the major systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Topics are discussed through clinical examples and practical cases aimed at developing clinical reasoning and effective communication of healthcare information.

Teaching materials provided during the course (slides, slide notes and supplementary resources) constitute the primary reference for examination preparation.For further study and consolidation of the topics covered during the course, students are encouraged to consult an Internal Medicine textbook specifically designed for Nursing and Healthcare Profession degree programs.Recommended textbook:Brunner LS, Suddarth DS. Brunner & Suddarth's Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Wolters Kluwer.Additional reference texts:Rugarli C. Medicina Interna Sistematica. Edra.Jameson JL, Fauci AS et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill.

At the end of the course, students will be able to recognize the main signs and symptoms of the most common Internal Medicine conditions, understand their essential pathophysiological mechanisms, and interpret their clinical significance within the healthcare setting.Students will acquire knowledge of the major cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic risk factors, the most relevant acute and chronic medical conditions, and the fundamental principles of clinical assessment of adult patients.Particular emphasis will be placed on the ability to collect, understand, and communicate clinical information appropriately, promoting the integration of clinical reasoning with nursing care activities.By the end of the course, students will also be able to identify early signs, symptoms, and clinical parameters suggestive of patient deterioration or potential clinical instability. They will develop the ability to distinguish situations requiring prompt medical evaluation from those that can be appropriately managed within the scope of nursing practice.

Successful participation in the course requires basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, as well as an understanding of fundamental biomedical terminology acquired during previous courses within the Degree Program.Introductory knowledge of the structure and function of the major organs and body systems is also beneficial, as it facilitates the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms and the clinical significance of the signs and symptoms discussed during the course.

The course is mainly delivered through face-to-face lectures supported by multimedia presentations. Theoretical topics are integrated with clinical examples, discussion of real-life cases, and analysis of healthcare scenarios aimed at fostering clinical reasoning and the practical application of acquired knowledge.Active student participation is encouraged through questions, guided discussions, and interpretation of clinical signs, symptoms, physiological parameters, and commonly used laboratory and instrumental investigations.Particular emphasis is placed on the early recognition of clinical deterioration and on the appropriate communication of healthcare information within the multidisciplinary team.

Attendance is strongly recommended, in accordance with the Degree Program regulations. Course topics will be integrated with clinical examples, case discussions, and additional insights that constitute an integral part of the learning process.Teaching materials provided by the lecturer represent the primary reference for examination preparation. Updates arising from advances in scientific knowledge, clinical guidelines, and medical practice may be discussed during the course and may be considered for further study.Students are encouraged to actively participate in teaching activities and to develop an approach focused on clinical reasoning, patient safety, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Assessment consists of a written examination followed by an oral examination.The written examination includes 50 multiple-choice questions, each with a single correct answer. Forty questions are designed to assess knowledge, applied understanding, and independent judgment through the presentation of integrated clinical cases involving the different disciplines included in the course. Ten questions focus on Pharmacology and related topics.The duration of the written examination is 60 minutes. Marks are awarded on a 30-point scale. The passing threshold is set at 60% of correct answers, corresponding to 30 correct responses out of 50. Successful completion of the written examination is required in order to access the oral examination.The oral examination consists of the analysis and discussion of a clinical case and is aimed at assessing the student's ability to apply acquired knowledge, exercise independent judgment, communicate effectively, and integrate information within a clinical context. Marks are awarded on a 30-point scale, and a minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass.During the oral examination, students are expected to demonstrate the ability to use clinical reasoning and to apply the nursing process to the assessment and management of the main healthcare needs associated with common Internal Medicine conditions.The oral examination lasts approximately 15 minutes. Failure to pass the oral examination requires the student to repeat the entire examination process, including both the written and oral components.

The course covers the main topics of Internal Medicine relevant to nursing practice, with particular emphasis on the recognition of signs and symptoms of the most common adult diseases and on their interpretation within the healthcare setting.Topics include the role of healthcare professionals in collecting, processing, and communicating clinical information, the principles of clinical methodology and interdisciplinary communication, constitutional symptoms, pain, and the main clinical manifestations that may require prompt medical evaluation.Particular attention is devoted to disorders of consciousness, syncope, and shock, with a focus on the early recognition of clinical deterioration and patient instability. The course also addresses major cardiovascular risk factors, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, venous and arterial thrombosis, and the most common hematological abnormalities encountered in Internal Medicine.The course includes elements of respiratory pathophysiology, respiratory failure, interpretation of arterial blood gas analysis, oxygen therapy, and non-invasive ventilation, as well as an overview of the principal respiratory diseases of internistic relevance.The main gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders commonly encountered in clinical practice are also discussed. Finally, the course introduces the general principles of systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases and their impact on the management of patients with medical conditions.Topics are developed through clinical examples, case discussions, and the integration of pathophysiological knowledge, clinical reasoning, and the nursing care process.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:recognize the main signs and symptoms of the most common Internal Medicine conditions;understand the essential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the principal clinical conditions discussed during the course;interpret the clinical significance of symptoms, signs, vital parameters, and commonly used laboratory and instrumental investigations;identify early signs of potential clinical deterioration and situations requiring prompt medical evaluation;collect, organize, and appropriately communicate relevant clinical information within the healthcare team;apply the principles of clinical reasoning and the nursing process to the assessment of adult patients with Internal Medicine conditions;integrate the acquired knowledge into nursing practice, contributing to patient safety and effective interdisciplinary collaboration.