EMT 102 Paramedic Care II

This comprehensive modular course provides students with theory related to the pathology, assessment, and management of adult patients with various medical conditions, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric, and toxicologic emergencies. The course also includes instruction and assessment of psychomotor skills included in the EMS Education Standards and the Delaware Paramedic Scope of Practice, including airway and electrical cardiac skills, and applying these skills in simulation lab scenarios.

Credits

9

Prerequisite

EMT 101

See Course Syllabus

Course Number and Title:

EMT 102 Paramedic Care II

Campus Location

  • Dover

Effective Date

2024-52

Prerequisites

EMT 101

Course Credits and Hours

9 credit(s)

7 lecture hours/week

6 lab hours/week

Course Description

This comprehensive modular course provides students with theory related to the pathology, assessment, and management of adult patients with various medical conditions, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric, and toxicologic emergencies. The course also includes instruction and assessment of psychomotor skills included in the EMS Education Standards and the Delaware Paramedic Scope of Practice, including airway and electrical cardiac skills, and applying these skills in simulation lab scenarios.

Additional Materials

None

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Disclaimer

None

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

  1. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with respiratory disorders.  (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

  2. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with cardiovascular disorders.  (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

  3. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with neurologic disorders. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

  4. Demonstrate integration of pathophysiologic principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression, and implement treatment plans for patients with behavioral or psychiatric emergencies. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

  5. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with poisoning or other toxicologic disorders.  (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

  6. Demonstrate the ability to serve as a team member or a team leader during simulated patient contacts. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4; PGC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

  7. Elicit a patient history during simulated patient contacts in the lab setting. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4; PGC 2, 6, 7)

  8. Complete a pertinent, accurate physical examination as it pertains to a variety of medical conditions during simulated patient contacts in the lab setting. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 1, 3, 4, 6, 8)

  9. Communicate history, physical findings, and treatment to other providers during simulated patient contacts in the lab setting. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; PGC 1, 2, 6, 7)

  10. Perform psychomotor skills in the lab setting included in the current Delaware Paramedic Scope of Practice and the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) Student Minimum Competency requirements. (CCC 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; PGC 1, 5, 7 )

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

  1. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with respiratory disorders.

    1. Describe how to perform an airway assessment.*

    2. Describe how to assess for airway patency.*

    3. Describe procedures used to assure a patent airway.*

    4. Describe epidemiology of pulmonary diseases and conditions.

    5. Identify structures of the upper and lower airway.*

    6. Describe the physiology and pathophysiology of respiration, including pulmonary ventilation, oxygenation, external respiration, internal respiration, and cellular respiration.*

    7. Describe how to assess and manage inadequate respiration.*

    8. Describe how treatment supplemental oxygen therapy improves respiratory status.*

    9. Describe how to assess and manage inadequate ventilation.*

    10. Describe the effect of ventilation on cardiac output.* 

    11. Compare and contrast respiratory distress, respiratory failure, and respiratory arrest.*

    12. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of upper airway diseases, including obstruction from a foreign body, croup, and epiglottitis.*

    13. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of lower airway diseases, including asthma, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, spontaneous pneumothorax, and pulmonary edema.*

    14. Interpret arterial blood gas values and end-tidal CO2 readings.

    15. Describe the indications, actions, contraindications, and side effects of medications used to manage respiratory disease, and calculate dosages.

    16. Display an appreciation for the critical nature of respiratory diseases and conditions.


  1. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with cardiovascular disorders.  

    1. Review anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system.

    2. Describe the electrophysiology of the heart.

    3. Analyze and interpret 3-lead and 12-lead electrocardiograms

    4. Describe the pathophysiology, identification, and management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).*

    5. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of cardiovascular disorders, including hypertensive emergencies, aortic aneurysm/dissection, thromboembolism, heart failure, non-traumatic cardiac tamponade, cardiogenic shock, vascular disorders, a heart failure, cardiac tamponade, hypertensive emergencies, cardiogenic shock, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and cardiac dysrhythmias.*

    6. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of conditions that predispose patients to cardiac rhythm disturbances, including WPW, Brugada, and long QT syndrome.

    7. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of infectious diseases of the heart, including endocarditis, myocarditis, and pericarditis.

    8. Discuss ethical issues related to resuscitation.*

    9. Describe prevention strategies for cardiovascular emergencies.

    10. Describe the physiology of CPR.*

    11. Describe the components of resuscitation systems.* 

    12. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of peri-arrest and special arrest situations.*

    13. Describe the indications for termination of resuscitation.*

    14. Describe premorbid conditions associated with cardiac arrest.*

    15. Describe the treatment and physiology of post-resuscitation support.*


  1. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with neurologic disorders.

    1. Review anatomy and physiology of the nervous system.

    2. Describe pathologic events that affect the nervous system.

    3. Identify abnormal neurologic assessment findings.

    4. Describe the indications, actions, contraindications, and side effects of medications used to manage neurologic disease, and calculate dosages.

    5. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment, and management of patients with neurological emergencies, including decreased level of consciousness, seizure, stroke, dementia, delirium, Alzheimer’s disease, headache, Brief Resolved Unexplained Event, Parkinson’s disease, and hydrocephalus.*

    6. Display an appreciation for the critical nature of neurologic diseases and     conditions.

  2. Demonstrate integration of pathophysiologic principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression, and implement treatment plans for patients with behavioral or psychiatric emergencies.

    1. Describe principles of the mental health system.*

    2. Identify characteristics that can be used to distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior.

    3. Identify factors that may alter the behavior of individuals who are ill or injured.

    4. Review medical legal considerations associated with management of patients demonstrating abnormal behavior.

    5. Identify pathology that may be associated with behavioral and psychiatric disorders.

    6. Identify defining characteristics for the following: affect, anger, anxiety, confusion, depression, fear, mental status, open-ended questions, and posture.

    7. Demonstrate verbal communication techniques useful in management of patients with abnormal behavior.

    8. Identify circumstances that might require removal of bystanders or relatives from the scene.

    9. Identify situations which might require a paramedic to forcibly transport a patient against his or her will.

    10. Identify techniques that might be used to restrain patients exhibiting abnormal behavior.

    11. Identify signs and other assessment findings that might be used to categorize a variety of behavioral emergencies.

    12. Describe assessment findings and management for patients with behavioral disorders, including patterns of violence, abuse, and neglect, suicidal ideation, severe agitation, anxiety, depression, medical fear, substance use disorder, PTSD, acute psychosis, cognitive disorders, thought disorders, mood disorders, neurotic disorders, somataform disorders, factitious disorders, and personality disorders.*

  3. Integrate pathophysiology principles and assessment findings to formulate a prehospital impression in order to develop and implement treatment plans for patients with poisoning or other toxicologic disorders.

    1. Describe the pathology of toxicological emergencies.

    2. Identify the signs, symptoms, and potential complications of poisons inhaled, ingested, injected, and absorbed.*

    3. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of patients with toxicologic emergencies, including carbon monoxide poisoning, nerve agent poisoning, opioid toxicity, and alcohol withdrawal and intoxication.*

    4. Describe the pathophysiology assessment findings, and management of toxidromes associated with drugs of abuse, including cholinergic, anticholinergic, sympathomimetic, sedative/hypnotic, opioid, corrosive, and knockdown.*

    5. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of serotonin syndrome and malignant hyperthermia.*

    6. Describe the pathophysiology, assessment findings, and management of patients with toxicity related to chronic or maintenance medications, including antidepressants, lithium, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) salicylates, and acetaminophen.*

    7. Describe the indications, actions, contraindications, and side effects of medications and antidotes used to manage toxicological emergencies, and calculate dosages.

  4. Demonstrate the ability to serve as a team member or a team leader during simulated patient contacts.

    1. Communicate effectively with other members of the team and the patient during a simulated patient contact in the lab setting.

    2. Successfully complete basic and advanced life support skills delegated during simulated patient contacts.

    3. Analyze interview responses and physical examination findings in order to formulate a differential diagnosis.

  5. Elicit a patient history during simulated patient contacts in the lab setting.

    1. Gather from the simulated patient a history of present illness using the OPQRST and SAMPLE mnemonics.

    2. Gather information about associated complaints, additional history, and pertinent negatives from simulated patients.

  6. Complete a pertinent, accurate physical examination as it pertains to a variety of medical conditions during simulated patient contacts in the lab setting.

    1. Perform a primary and secondary assessment pertinent to the patient complaint.

    2. Assess vital signs: pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse oximeter.

    3. Assess and differentiate breath sounds.

    4. Interpret 3-lead and 12-lead electrocardiograms.

    5. Interpret blood gas analyses, blood glucose levels, and blood chemistries.

  7. Communicate history, physical findings, and treatment to other providers during simulated patient contacts in the lab setting.

    1. Provide a concise radio report on a simulated patient in the lab setting.

    2. Provide a complete verbal report for transfer of care of a simulated patient in the lab setting.

    3. Share information with other providers during care of the simulated patient in the lab setting so that those providers may give correct care.

  8. Perform psychomotor skills in the lab setting included in the current Delaware Paramedic Scope of Practice and the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the EMS Professions (CoAEMSP) Student Minimum Competency requirements. 

    1. Demonstrate, in skills stations or patient simulations, the ability to perform skills included in the: nebulized medication administration; orotracheal intubation; nasotracheal intubation; placement of supraglottic airways devices, needle and surgical cricothyrotomy; needle chest decompression, use of a Bougie stylet and Magill forceps; tracheal suctioning; orogastric and nasogastric tube insertion; pulse oximetry and end tidal CO2 monitoring; oxygen administration; continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) administration, cardioversion; external pacing; ECG rhythm interpretation; 12-lead ECG interpretation; Foley catheter insertion; and use of patient movement equipment and techniques.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100 = A
80-89 = B
70-79 = C
0-69 = F
Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

FINAL COURSE GRADE

(Calculated using the following weighted average)


Evaluation Measure

Percentage of final grade

Module Exams (equally weighted) (Summative)

40%

Module Lab Portfolio Completion (Summative)

30%

Simulation Scenario Assessment (Summative)

15%

Affective Assessment (Summative)

5%

Quizzes (equally weighted) (Formative)

5%

Assignments (Formative)

5%

TOTAL

100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

  1. Perform all psychomotor Paramedic skills in the National Emergency Medical Services Education Standards consistent with acceptable practice for an entry level paramedic.
  2. Conduct complete, accurate and timely patient assessments to include history and physical exam, and communicate findings.
  3. Interpret assessment findings in order to accurately identify a differential diagnosis and integrate pathophysiologic principles and legal responsibilities to formulate a treatment plan.
  4. Effectively perform the role of Team Leader to include: timely decision making, effective resource utilization, implementing appropriate plan of action for a given situation, adapting the plan to changing conditions change and communicate.
  5. Assess a scene or situation in order to identify threats to operating safely.
  6. Apply communication and ethical decision making skills required for an entry-level paramedic.
  7. Exhibit professional affective behavior.
  8. Function effectively as an entry level paramedic in the pre-hospital working environment in the roles of Team Leader and Team Member.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

Minimum Technology Requirements

Minimum technology requirements for online, hybrid, video conferencing and web conferencing courses.