Foundations of Nursing Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igdw6e
1. Assessment Assessment is the first step in the nursing process, in which the nurse collects and
analyzes information about a patient’s health status.
2. Collection of Collection of data refers to obtaining information about a patient’s health through
Data observation, interviews, physical exams, and reviewing medical records.
3. Methods of Data Methods of data collection in nursing assessment are the specific ways or tech-
Collection niques used to gather information about a patient. Common methods include
interviewing, observation, physical examination, and reviewing records or test
results.
4. Physical Exami- Physical examination is a systematic process where the nurse uses inspection,
nation palpation, percussion, and auscultation to assess the patient's body for signs of
health or illness.
5. Types of Data Types of data in nursing assessment refer to the different kinds of information
collected about a patient, such as objective data (measurable facts like vital signs)
and subjective data (personal experiences or feelings shared by the patient).
6. Objective Data Objective data is information collected through direct observation, measurement,
or physical examination. These are facts that can be verified by others, such as
vital signs or laboratory results.
7. Data Documen- Data documentation is the accurate and timely recording of assessment findings
tation in a patient’s medical record to support communication and continuity of care.
8. Standards of Standards of documentation are official guidelines that determine how nurses
Documentation must record patient information. These standards ensure that notes are accurate,
factual, thorough, clear, and timely, helping maintain legal and ethical responsi-
bilities in patient care.
9. Accuracy
, Foundations of Nursing Final Exam, Key Concepts
Foundations of Nursing Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igdw6e
Accuracy in nursing documentation means that the recorded data is correct, exact,
and reflects the patient's actual condition and care provided without any errors or
false information.
10. Data Interpreta- Data interpretation is analyzing collected and organized information to identify
tion patterns, draw conclusions, and make clinical judgments about a patient’s health.
11. Clinical Judgment Clinical judgment is the process nurses use to make decisions about a patient's
care based on assessment data, their knowledge, and experience. It involves an-
alyzing information, identifying patient needs, and determining the best actions
to promote health or address problems.
12. Prioritization Prioritization is the process of deciding which patient problems or interventions
require immediate attention. Nurses use prioritization to allocate resources and
actions to the most critical issues first to ensure patient safety and effective care.
13. Types of Assess- Types of assessment include initial, focused, ongoing, and emergency assess-
ment ments, each tailored to specific patient needs and situations.
14. Comprehensive A comprehensive assessment is a detailed and complete evaluation of a patient's
Assessment overall health status. It includes gathering health history, performing a full physical
examination, and reviewing psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors. It is
often conducted on admission to a healthcare facility.
15. Full History A full history is a detailed collection of information about a patient's past and
present health, including medical, surgical, family, and social histories, as well as
current symptoms, to guide further assessment and care planning.
16. Critical Thinking Critical thinking is using logical and analytical skills to make informed decisions in
and the Nursing nursing. The nursing process is a structured approach to planning and providing
Process care, involving assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
17. Critical Thinking
, Foundations of Nursing Final Exam, Key Concepts
Foundations of Nursing Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igdw6e
Critical thinking is the use of logic and reasoning to analyze facts, make judg-
ments, and solve problems. In nursing, it involves questioning assumptions and
evaluating evidence to make sound clinical decisions.
18. Critical Think- Critical thinking and decision making are connected processes in nursing. Critical
ing and Decision thinking provides the framework for analyzing information and possibilities, while
Making decision making involves choosing the most appropriate course of action based
on that analysis for safe and effective patient care.
19. Decision Making Decision making is the process of choosing the best action or solution from several
options. In nursing, it involves using critical thinking to select the most appropriate
care for a patient based on available information.
20. Critical Think- Critical thinking and problem solving refer to using thoughtful reasoning to
ing and Problem identify patient issues and develop effective solutions. In nursing, this means
Solving assessing situations, considering alternatives, and choosing the best actions
based on evidence and experience.
21. Prioritization Prioritization is the ability to rank tasks or issues according to their urgency and
importance. Nurses use it to decide which patient needs require immediate
attention to ensure safety and effective care.
22. Development of Development of critical thinking skills refers to the process by which nurses learn
Critical Thinking and strengthen their ability to reason, analyze, and make decisions. This involves
Skills practicing reflection, seeking feedback, engaging in continuing education, and
applying lessons learned from clinical experiences.
23. Clinical Reason- Clinical reasoning is the ability to use collected information and relevant knowl-
ing edge to make informed decisions about patient care, identifying problems and
planning appropriate nursing interventions.
24. Critical thinking applied in nursing means using reflective and analytical thinking
in assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care.