Medical-Surgical Nursing Notes
1. Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
What Is It?
Medical-surgical nursing is a specialized field that focuses on providing care to adult patients
with a variety of medical conditions or those who are preparing for or recovering from surgery.
Nurses in this specialty are essential for delivering comprehensive patient care.
What Do They Do?
● Patient Assessment: Conduct thorough evaluations of patient conditions, including vital
signs, pain levels, and overall health status.
● Care Planning: Develop personalized care plans that address the specific needs of
each patient.
● Administering Treatment: Provide medications and treatments, closely monitor patient
responses, and adjust care plans as needed.
● Patient Education and Support: Educate patients and their families about medical
conditions, treatment plans, and home care.
● Collaboration: Work with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to ensure
coordinated and effective patient care.
2. The Nursing Process
a. Assessment
Gathering detailed information about the patient’s health through medical history, physical
exams, and ongoing observation.
b. Diagnosis
Identifying health issues based on the assessment and formulating nursing diagnoses.
c. Planning
Setting achievable goals and determining the best interventions to address the patient’s health
needs. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).
1. Introduction to Medical-Surgical Nursing
What Is It?
Medical-surgical nursing is a specialized field that focuses on providing care to adult patients
with a variety of medical conditions or those who are preparing for or recovering from surgery.
Nurses in this specialty are essential for delivering comprehensive patient care.
What Do They Do?
● Patient Assessment: Conduct thorough evaluations of patient conditions, including vital
signs, pain levels, and overall health status.
● Care Planning: Develop personalized care plans that address the specific needs of
each patient.
● Administering Treatment: Provide medications and treatments, closely monitor patient
responses, and adjust care plans as needed.
● Patient Education and Support: Educate patients and their families about medical
conditions, treatment plans, and home care.
● Collaboration: Work with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to ensure
coordinated and effective patient care.
2. The Nursing Process
a. Assessment
Gathering detailed information about the patient’s health through medical history, physical
exams, and ongoing observation.
b. Diagnosis
Identifying health issues based on the assessment and formulating nursing diagnoses.
c. Planning
Setting achievable goals and determining the best interventions to address the patient’s health
needs. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).
