Computer-assisted instruction: design and content in neuroscience nursing

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) includes games, tutorials, simulations, and drills. Computer simulation exercises can be used to simulate patient care and promote diagnostic reasoning skills in nursing. Computer simulation exercises (CSEs) based on case studies of patients with head injury, spinal cord injury, epilepsy, febrile seizures and meningitis have been developed and implemented at the University of Washington School of Nursing, Department of Physiological Nursing, in conjunction with the Health Sciences Center for Educational Resources. These simulations provide a realistic, constantly changing scenerio in which the nurse-learner collects data, analyzes it, and makes decisions about the patient's nursing care. The patient's condition may change dramatically as a result of the decisions made by the nurse-learner.