Fundamental Concepts and Skills for Nursing

Unit I: Introduction to Nursing and the Health Care System
1. Nursing and the Health Care System
2. Concepts of Health, Illness, Stress, and Health Promotion
3. Legal and Ethical Aspects of Nursing
Unit II: The Nursing Process
4. The Nursing Process and Critical Thinking
5. Assessment, Nursing Diagnosis/Problem Identification, and Planning
6. Implementation and Evaluation
Unit III: Communication in Nursing
7. Documentation of Nursing Care
8. Communication and the Nurse-Patient Relationship
9. Patient Education and Health Promotion
10. Delegation, Leadership, and Management
Unit IV: Developmental, Psychosocial, and Cultural Considerations
11. Growth and Development: Infancy Through Adolescence
12. Adulthood and the Family
13. Promoting Healthy Adaptation to Aging
14. Cultural and Spiritual Aspects of Patient Care
15. Sexuality and Patient Care - NEW!
16. Loss, Grief, and End-of-Life Care
Unit V: Basic Nursing Skills
17. Infection Prevention and Control: Protective Mechanisms and Asepsis
18. Infection Prevention and Control in the Hospital and Home
19. Safely Lifting, Moving, and Positioning Patients
20. Assisting with Hygiene, Personal Care, Skin Care, and the Prevention of Pressure Injuries
21. Patient Environment and Safety
22. Measuring Vital Signs
23. Assessing Health Status
24. Admitting, Transferring, and Discharging Patients
25. Diagnostic Tests and Specimen Collection
Unit VI: Meeting Basic Physiologic Needs
26. Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
27. Concepts of Basic Nutrition and Cultural Considerations
28. Nutritional Therapy and Assisted Feeding
29. Assisting with Respiration and Oxygen Delivery
30. Promoting Urinary Elimination
31. Promoting Bowel Elimination
32. Pain, Comfort and Sleep
33. Complementary Health Approaches
Unit VII: Medication Administration
34. Pharmacology and Preparation for Drug Administration
35. Administering Oral, Topical, and Inhalant Medications
36. Administering Intradermal, Subcutaneous, and Intramuscular Injections
37. Administering Intravenous Solutions and Medications
Unit VIII: Care of the Surgical and Immobile Patient
38. Care of the Surgical Patient
39. Providing Wound Care and Treating Pressure Injuries
40. Promoting Musculoskeletal Function
Unit IX: Caring for Older Adults
41. Common Physical Care Problems of the Older Adult
42. Common Psychosocial Care Problems of the Older Adult
Appendix A: Standard Steps for All Nursing Procedures
Appendix B: NALPN Nursing Practice Standards for the Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
Appendix C: American Nurses Association Code of Ethics for Nurses
Appendix D: Standard Precautions
Appendix E: Most Common Laboratory Test Values
Reader References
Bibliography
Glossary