Hello everyone,

On behalf of the Team-Based Learning Collaborative (TBLC), I would like to share with you this month's featured module: Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping

The Module was developed by Dr. Judy Currey, reviewed, and published to the Resource Bank in the Fall of 2015. The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping module was designed for a course in Master of Nursing Practice (Intensive Care, Cardiac Care, Emergency Care, Critical Care).

The Module focuses on six learning goals. The Learning Goals are:

1. perform a safety check of the IABP machine to ensure correct functioning;
2. discuss the indications and contraindications for IABP therapy;
3. explain principles and physiological effects of IABP therapy;
4. rationalise and evaluate the nursing management of a patient with an IABP insitu with reference to:
1. systemic assessment of patient
2. prevention and detection of systemic and local complications
3. alarm troubleshooting
4. timing:
1. establishment
2. difference between r wave deflate (real timing) and conventional
3. recognition of correct timing and timing errors
   
5. weaning from therapy
6. removal of balloon
7. transport of patient
8. care of the catheter, tubing and machine;
5. describe and evaluate the normal balloon pressure waveform morphology;
6. interpret tracings of a concurrent cardiac rhythm strip and arterial blood pressure waveform in order to determine timing of the IABP in the cardiac cycle and any potential haemodynamic benefits or complications, with particular reference to:
1. correct timing morphology
2. timing errors of late inflation, late deflation, early inflation and early deflation
3. identification of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 IABP support

The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping module includes an eight question RAT and two Application Exercises.