Postgraduate Specialization Degree in Rehabilitation Nursing

1.To develop further knowledge about the Anatomy and Physiology of the Cardiopulmonary System
2.To develop further knowledge about the most frequent pathologies of the respiratory system
3.To establish correlations with the main pathological alterations and with the functioning of organs and systems
4.To substantiate the interventions in people who need Rehabilitation Nursing care, under the pulmonary scope
5.To provide Rehabilitation Nursing care
6.To know how to diagnose and prescribe Rehabilitation Nursing interventions in prevention and treatment
7.To measure the impact of the prescribed interventions on people/family members/caregivers

Anatomophysiology and Physiopathology of the Cardiopulmonary System
-Pulmonary stress physiology, sources of energy
-Cardiovascular and pulmonary response to exercise
-Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism
Mechanical Ventilation
Most frequent pulmonary physiopathologies and pathologies
Rehabilitation Nursing interventions to satisfy the needs of people with cardiopulmonary alterations
-Pulmonary physiotherapy
-Exercises/techniques to optimise ventilation
-Exercises/techniques to re-educate and manage physical activity
-Exercises/techniques to detach and mobilise secretions and clean the airways (cough, huffs, thoracic vibration and percussion, postural drainage, autogenic drainage,...)
-Instruments/devices that facilitate the clearance and mobilisation of secretions (cough assist, smart vest, aerosol therapy, TEF, flutter, Acapella, Quake, PEPmask,…)
-Instruments/devices to train pulmonary muscles

Objectives 1 and 2
Contents
Anatomophysiology of the Cardiopulmonary Systems
Physiopathology of pulmonary diseases (pulmonary and pleural parenchyma)
Objectives 3 and 4
Contents on:
Mechanical Ventilation
Cardiovascular and pulmonary response to exercise
Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism
Objectives 5, 6 and 7
Contents
Mechanical Ventilation
Physiology and Physiopathology of the respiratory system
Rehabilitation Nursing interventions to satisfy the needs of people with cardiopulmonary alterations
Objective 7
Contents
Measurement strategies and tools to monitor outcome indicators

The methodology used meets the learning objectives which go through the acquisition and development of theoretical knowledge and instrumental skills, to provide a response to people's needs in situations of illness or at risk and with alterations in pulmonary function. Thus, we favour that the classes will be theoretical, theoretical-practical and practical.
Theoretical classes
The classes are essentially lectures and interactive.
Theoretical-practical classes
To demonstrate pulmonary therapy exercises and techniques.
Practical classes
At a simulation lab where scenarios are created to resolve hypothetical situations.

It is hoped that the lectured content and the teaching/learning methodologies from this curricular unit used at the theoretical, theoretical-practical and lab practical classes, provide the student with the capacity to diagnose and prescribe Rehabilitation Nursing interventions to people with or at risk of pulmonary alterations.
The theoretical classes are essentially lectures and interactive, to provide students with a set of theoretical and theoretical-practical knowledge that enable them to substantiate and understand decision-making.
At the theoretical-practical and practical classes, the methods used in the classroom and in the labs also go towards the development of the students' capacity to diagnose and prescribe interventions so as to:
-Maintain/improve pulmonary capacity, through the mobilisation of the thoracic walls and diaphragm;
-Improve/assure the permeability of the airways through the elimination of secretions, control of the speed of the inhaled or exhaled air, reduction of inflammatory processes and airway oedema;
-Improve the performance of the pulmonary muscles;
-Improve the exhale capacity through exhale muscle toning;
-Re-educate for stress;
-Reduce the psychic and muscular tension;
-Correct bad posture and attitudes through muscle toning in thoracic deformities with alterations on bone curvature;
-Eliminate/reduce pleural adhesion by stroke or air;
-Correct hypertonia, pectoral girdle (bronchitis) and thorax (spondylitis);
-Improve the ventilation/perfusion relation;
-Educate, teach, instruct and train the people to acquire the skills to manage and take over the therapeutic regimen;
-Empower the person/informal caregiver to perform self-care.

The methods used in the classroom, during the theoretical-practical classes and at the lab, in the tutorials, are directed at the students' development of their capacity of intervention, critical analysis and active participation in the teaching/learning process, hence the use of a simulation methodology, creating hypothetical situations to the effect, where the students are the actors.
One or two written tests are proposed to evaluate/grade the students, but the students take part and may suggest alternatives. In the case of two written tests, one is essentially focused on the theoretical component (multiple choice test) and the other one on a theoretical-practical component (descriptive type, with hypothetical problem resolution, with the aim to identify, diagnose and prescribe interventions). When only one test is agreed upon, then this shall integrate both components. Each test is graded for 20 points. The final grade, in the case of two tests, is obtained through the arithmetic mean, which should be ≥ 9.5 points. However, students must obtain a grade that is ≥ 7.5 points on each of the tests. Otherwise, the students take the exams in the first sit period and/or through an improvement exam.

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