Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Specialised surgical procedures may include:
cystotomy
enterotomy
gastrotomy
orthopaedic surgery
ophthalmic surgery
spinal surgery
thoracotomy.
Maintenance of intravenous catheter sites may include:
changing dressings
flushing wounds with heparinised saline
maintaining catheter asepsis
monitoring the insertion site of a peripheral or central catheter for signs of:
cellulitis
discharge
phlebitis
thrombosis.
Patient fluid output may include:
faeces
fluid from thoracic, abdominal or wound drainage
saliva
urine
vomitus.
Workplace health and safety risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Equipment to maintain intravenous fluid therapy may include:
drip rate flow regulators
fluid administration sets and extension tubing
fluid pumps
syringe drivers.
Specific nutritional requirements may include:
diets for:
growth
hepatic, renal, pancreatic or cardiac disease
intestinal or urinary tract disorders
weight loss
optimum healing.
Calculating energy requirements may include:
multiplying the basal energy requirement by the illness factor taking into account the calorific content of the food.
Assisted feeding may include:
hand feeding
preparation of suitable diets
tube feeding.
Indwelling surgical drain may include:
abdominal
intrathoracic
wound.
Housing and bedding may include:
housing:
cots
heated kennels
incubators
kennels
runs
bedding:
blankets
dry bedding
heated waterbeds
padded beds
towels.
Complications associated with recumbent patients may include:
decubitus ulcers
depression
hypostatic pneumonia
urine and faecal scalding.
Vital signs and observations may include:
assessment of temperament
capillary refill time
evaluation of pain
fluid and food intake
heart rate
mucous membrane colour
pulse rate and quality
rectal temperature
respiratory rate and effort
urine, faecal and fluid output.
Physical therapy techniques may include:
active assisted exercise:
assisted standing
assisted walking
hydrotherapy
massage:
effleurage (stroking)
petrissage (squeezing)
friction (circular movements)
the application of warm and cold compresses to the affected area
passive exercise therapy:
manipulation and movement of joints and limbs by the nurse through a range of motions.
Home-nursing advice may include:
specialised surgical operations may have life-threatening consequences even during the home recovery period
client advice on discharge:
specific home-nursing requirements detailed by the surgeon
administration of prescribed medications
bladder and bowel movements
management of surgical wounds and drains
cast management
diet and/or exercise and physiotherapy.
advice and contact numbers for potential emergency situations and follow-up appointments.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
apply an advanced working knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology whilst managing wounds or surgical sites post-surgery
communicate effectively with the surgeon on all aspects of patient care
provide clear and concise directions to clinic personnel
maintain patient fluid and nutritional requirements post-surgery in accordance with patient care plans
nurse animals with care and empathy and in accordance with individual patient requirements
implement a physical therapy program for recovering patients
observe and report on animals' condition and vital signs in an accurate manner
record and complete patient records accurately
recognise, respond to and assist with emergencies
communicate with clients on patients' progress and home-nursing requirements.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and must be assessed in a clinic or hospital where registered specialists are performing specialised surgical procedures.
There must be access to the appropriate equipment and/or resources relevant to the specialised surgical procedures taking place in the clinic and the postoperative nursing requirements to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated by carrying out postoperative nursing routines for an extensive range of patients recovering from specialised surgical procedures on a regular basis over a period of time.
The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
case study analysis
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).