BI2S126 - Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BI2S126
Module Title: Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Biological and Forensic Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Biological Science
Module Leader: Rachel Perry
Module Team: Rhiannon Stundon, Paul Jones, Katie Davies, Rhian Jones, Theona Aristidou
First Intended Intake: SEP 2021 Final Year of Intake: 2026
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

This module aims to provide student veterinary nurses with the ability to apply emergency and critical care theory to case-based scenarios and to give them the confidence to undertake first aid and critical care nursing during their Clinical Placement modules.

Content Summary

The content of this module covers advanced techniques for the nursing of emergency and critical patients and includes:

Safe and effective triage and administration of first aid.

Systematic assessment of the emergency and critical patient.

Preparation for the admission of an emergency case and the maintenance of the crash trolley.

Supporting the veterinary surgeon during resuscitation and stabilisation of the patient.

Management of critically ill patients to include intensive care nursing techniques, advanced patient monitoring, parenteral nutrition, complex medication infusion, advanced fluid therapy and blood product administration, respiratory therapy.

Maintenance of the intensive care unit.

Further development of reflective nursing practice and of the understanding of Clinical Governance, Quality Improvement and the Clinical Audit in relation to veterinary emergency and critical care nursing practice.

The pass mark is set using a modified Angoff Method. Pass marks will vary.

The RCVS Day One Competences and Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses are the minimum essential requirements that all student veterinary nurses are expected to have met in order to join the RCVS Register of Veterinary Nurses. Further information can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk

The content of this module will cover the following RCVS Day One Competences: 1, 4-9, 12-15, 17, 19-20, 24, 28, 34.

The content of this module will cover the following RCVS Day One Skills for Veterinary Nurses: 1.1-1.2, 2.1-2.4, 2.9-2.11, 3.2-3.5, 4.1-4.7, 4.10-4.16, 8.4-8.5.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 50
Tutorial 5
Demonstration 10
Practical classes and workshops 10
Supervised time in studio/workshop 10
Directed Study 100
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 5
Active/Simulation Based 10
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Appraise triage and first aid techniques.
LO2 Analyse the management of critically ill patients and advanced nursing techniques.
LO3 Perform and manage nursing interventions.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Practical Assessment Practical Test 1 Nursing techniques 15 N/A 30 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1 Triage and first aid (35 MCQs and 5 SAQs) 60 N/A 30 No 0
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 The critically ill patient and advanced nursing techniques (2 case studies, medical and surgical) 0 2000 40 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Practical Test 1
Classroom Test - Time Constrained (Onsite) 1
Case study 1

Reading List

Ackerman, N., 2016. Aspinall's complete textbook of veterinary nursing.. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Allerton, F., 2020. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, Part A: Canine and Feline. 10th ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Aspinall, V., 2019. Clinical procedures in veterinary nursing. 4th ed. Oxford: Elsevier.

Ballantyne, H., 2018. Veterinary nursing care plans: theory and practice. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis.

Banes, S., Lipscomb, V. & Hutchinson, T., 2012. BSAVA manual of canine and feline surgical principles. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Battaglia, A. M. & Steele, A. M., 2020. Small animal emergency and critical care for veterinary technicians. 4th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier.

Bexfield, N. & Lee, K., 2014. BSAVA guide to procedures in small animal practice. 2nd ed. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Boag, A. & King, L., 2018. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Emergency and Critical Care. 3rd ed. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Duke-Novakovski, T., de Vries, M. & Seymour, C., 2015. BSAVA manual of canine and feline anaesthesia and analgesia. 3rd ed. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Gerrard, E., 2021. BSAVA pocketbook for veterinary nurses. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Harvey, A. & Tasker, S., 2013. BSAVA manual of feline practice: a foundation manual. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Hutchinson, T. & Robinson, K., 2015. BSAVA Manual of Canine Practice: A Foundation Manual. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Mullineaux, E., Turner, L. & Cooper, B., 2020. The BSAVA textbook of veterinary nursing. 6th ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

O'Dwyer, L. & Aldridge, P., 2013. Practical emergency and critical care veterinary nursing. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Rudd, S. & Hotston Moore, A., 2008. BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Advanced Veterinary Nursing. 2nd ed. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Self, I., 2019. BSAVA guide to pain management in small animal practice. Gloucester : BSAVA.

Tear, M., 2017. Small animal surgical nursing. 3rd ed. St. Louis: Elsevier.

Welsh, L., 2009. Anaesthesia for Veterinary Nurses. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Relevant peer-reviewed journal articles will be provided as part of your expected learning in this module.