PARA8002 Acute Assessment and Management of Altered Perfusion

Critical to the appropriate management of the critically ill patient is the ability of the Intensive Care Paramedic to recognise the clinical presentation and physiological consequences of clinical conditions that result in inadequate cellular perfusion. Based on contemporary clinical understanding and best practice, this foundation subject will cover the physiological compensatory mechanisms that are activated to maintain tissue perfusion, factors that can influence the compensatory response, the pathophysiological conditions that can result in an altered perfusion state and the clinical management strategies that can improve or maintain an adequate level of perfusion. This underpinning knowledge is critical to enable appropriate clinical decision making and management when dealing with often complex and interacting pathologies that result in or from inadequate tissue perfusion.

This topic aims to develop an advanced level of understanding of the physiological regulation of tissue perfusion and the various factors that can result in an altered perfusion state as related to Intensive Care Paramedic (ICP) practice which forms the foundation on which sound clinical judgement and practice are to be based.

1. Explain the physiological mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of cellular perfusion
2. Describe and compare the compensated, de-compensated and irreversible shock states and relate these to ICP practice
3. Identify and describe the causes of altered perfusion as relevant to ICP practice
4. Identify and describe the influence of pharmacological agents and co-morbidities on the physiological compensatory mechanisms
5. Identify and describe the variations to the physiological mechanisms that are responsible for the maintenance of tissue perfusion that occur across the life span
6. Demonstrate the appropriate application of ICP clinical procedures and equipment to maintain or improve perfusion in the inadequately perfused patient
7. Describe the pharmacology of medications used in ICP clinical practice to manage a patient with inadequate perfusion
8. Describe and demonstrate the appropriate clinical assessment and management of a patient with inadequate perfusion
9. Demonstrate the ability to form and revise clinical judgements and practice plans when presented with new evidence or information as relevant to ICP practice