Course Title: Apply principles of wound management

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: NURS5417C

Course Title: Apply principles of wound management

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: Bundoora Campus

Program: C5417 - Diploma of Nursing

Course Contact: Suzie Cicero

Course Contact Phone: 03 9925-1812

Course Contact Email: suzie.cicero@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Nil

Course Description

In this course you will learn the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply contemporary wound management principles to the care of persons with various types of wounds. It involves working with the registered nurse within the multidisciplinary health care team to contribute to the assessment, treatment and ongoing management of wounds.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

HLTENN039 Apply principles of wound management

Element:

1. Prepare for wound care management.

Performance Criteria:

  • 1.1. Use infection control principles to minimise cross-infection during nursing assessment and implementation of wound management plans.
  • 1.2. Interpret wound management plan relating to wound care including dressing type and frequency of intervention.
  • 1.3. Identify stage of wound healing and determine wound care product.

Element:

2. Contribute to development and implementation of a wound plan of care.

Performance Criteria:

  • 2.1. Apply findings from physical health status and wound pain assessment to implement wound care.
  • 2.2. Apply requirements of wound healing physiology and aetiology to the wound care plan.
  • 2.3. Identify wound management products and techniques for each phase of wound healing.
  • 2.4. Contribute to an individual wound management plan in consultation with the registered nurse.
  • 2.5. Apply requirements of wound classification in wound care planning.
  • 2.6. Document wound management plan for intervention and assessment.
  • 2.7. Implement contemporary wound management strategies to manage the person’s wounds.
  • 2.8. Apply requirements of wound healing phase of haemostasis.
  • 2.9. Apply requirements of preventative wound care strategies to develop and implement the wound care plan.
  • 2.10. Apply contemporary assessment techniques to implement wound care strategies, in accordance with national standards and organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.11. Access and prepare wound dressing products as required in the wound management plan for the identified phase of wound healing.
  • 2.12. Dispose of used articles including hazardous waste according to organisational policies and procedures.
  • 2.13. Make the person comfortable and complete required wound management documentation.

Element:

3. Assess and document wound and wound care plan.

Performance Criteria:

  • 3.1. Assist assessment of the wound using medical terminology.
  • 3.2. Apply requirements of the physiological and biochemical processes associated with normal wound healing when assessing wounds.
  • 3.3. Identify factors that impact on wound healing including psychosocial impact of a wound.
  • 3.4. Identify common problems and complications of wounds.
  • 3.5. Document the wound care plan.
  • 3.6. Apply universal precautions and infection control principles to the wound care plan.

Element:

4. Apply wound management strategies to wounds.

Performance Criteria:

  • 4.1. Apply requirements of wound complexity and the pathological processes of wound healing for wounds.
  • 4.2. Identify common problems and complications of wounds.
  • 4.3. Adhere to aseptic technique in the application of wound care.
  • 4.4. Adhere to aseptic technique to remove wound sutures, surgical clips and to shorten and remove wound drains.
  • 4.5. Participate in the development, review and assessment of individualised wound plans.

Element:

5. Assist in evaluating outcomes of nursing actions.

Performance Criteria:

  • 5.1. Involve person and carer in assessment process.
  • 5.2. Monitor responses to wound management strategies, and progress towards planned wound management goals.
  • 5.3. Assess, document and communicate progress of wound healing and wound care strategy outcomes using contemporary wound management terminology.
  • 5.4. Assist in assessing wound management strategies and products used.
  • 5.5. Communicate assessment findings for modified and alternative wound management strategies, procedures and goals for the person.
  • 5.6. Work within a cost-effective framework for wound management.
  • 5.7. Identify, plan and apply health education and promotion strategies to wound management.

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 


Details of Learning Activities

This unit is designed to be delivered in a Blended Learning mode.  Blended Learning involves learning through various modes, for example, online learning and learning in a classroom and clinical labs. 

The Blended Learning approach for this unit includes: 

Online learning - provide you with formative feedback and facilitate your learning as you progress through your course 

Classroom teaching - introducing you to key concepts within the course 

Labs - provide practice and simulation 

Clinical experience - provides you with practical experience in a nursing health care environment 

Self-directed learning - such as reading to expand your knowledge and understanding of information delivered 

 

All learning activities you will undertake within the course are designed to provide you with the practical skills, knowledge and attitudes required to perform to the standard expected in the health industry. 


Teaching Schedule

Delivery Schedule

Date, Week, Session

Topic, Activity, Assessment

Week 1 – Session 1

Introduction to wound care

Week 2 – Session 2

Wound Assessment

Week 2

Lab 1

Week 3 – Session 3

Types of wounds

Week 3

Lab 2

Week 4 – Session 4

Types of wounds

Week 4

Lab 3

Week 5

Lab 4

Week 5

Knowledge Assessment Task 1

Week 7

Knowledge Assessment Task 2

Week 7

Practical Assessment Task 3

Week 15

Clinical Placement AT4


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.

During the Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121), you will complete 400 hours of compulsory unpaid clinical placements, across four phases (semesters).  Aged Care 120 hours, Mental Health and Primary Health 80 hours each and Acute Care 120 hours.

You must meet all the unit/course requirements before you are eligible for clinical placement, this includes immunisations, NDIS check, Working with Childrens and Police check. If you do not meet these requirements, you may incur a penalty in the form of a fine.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1 - Knowledge Assessment

Assessment Task 2 - Knowledge Assessment

Assessment Task 3 - Practical Assessment

Assessment Task 4 - Clinical Placement


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Student Attendance 

All students are required to: 

  • Attend and participate appropriately in all scheduled activities.
  • Complete pre-class preparation – e.g., recommended reading and learning activities on Canvas. 
  • Study all material provided to maximise chances of meeting the Unit's objectives.
  • Meet the 100% attendance requirement for lectures.

Up to 80% attendance will be accepted with evidence in the form of a medical certificate or statutory declaration. It will be the student's responsibility to catch up and/ or seek assistance from their educator. If a student’s attendance falls below 80%, they will undergo a review by the RMIT Nursing Program Coordinator, and may be required to repeat the course.

  • All students must demonstrate 80% engagement with the learning resources provided. This includes but is not limited to the Canvas practice knowledge quizzes, which must be completed on time. Canvas analytics will be used to identify student engagement. This can affect student progression.
  • All students must meet the 100% attendance requirement for practical sessions. Evidence in the form of a medical certificate or statutory declaration must be provided if one cannot attend to qualify for a make-up session. The 'make-up' session time and date will be at the discretion of the RMIT Nursing Program Coordinator. Non-attendance to the make-up session without evidence to support the non-attendance can result in no further opportunity.
  • Failure to meet the 100% practical sessions attendance requirement can result in exclusion from the clinical skills assessments, leading to a Not Yet Satisfactory result and ultimately Not Yet Competent outcome in relevant courses.
  • Four hundred (400) clinical placement hours must be completed by the end of the program to meet the program requirements. 

 

Clinical Placement 

Please note an opportunity to repeat clinical placement is not guaranteed and will be at the discretion of the Program Manager.  The above requirements will be considered in the decision making. 

  

Important information regarding Assessment Tasks: 

Refer to individual assessment task instructions for information on when and how to submit and specific assessment conditions. 

  

Assessment Attempts: 

Self-marking quizzes 

  • Student will be permitted 2 attempts to complete self-marking assessments.  If a student requires guidance, it is their responsibility to reach out to the Lead Campus Educator.

All other assessments

  • You are permitted 2 attempts on written and practical assessments. 
  • Resubmissions are not automatic and will only be approved at the discretion of the Program Coordinator, after consultation with the teacher. Attendance and course engagement will be taken into consideration when deciding.  For written assessments, if you answer less than 50% of the questions in each part during your first attempt, you will not be granted a second attempt. 
  • All resubmissions must be completed and submitted no more than 7 days after your work has been assessed. 

 

Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer 

If you think you have some or all of the knowledge and competencies described, please discuss the Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer options with may be available to you with your Course Coordinator. For more information go to: 

RMIT Connect 

  

Please read the following thoroughly by clicking the links:  

Special consideration  

Use the special consideration process if your circumstances are such that you cannot fulfil assessment requirements. For example, if you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by a due date.  

Special Consideration Policy   

Equitable Learning Services 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview