NSG 1230: ATI Nursing Study Guide- Fundamentals Exam 1 | Comprehensive Newest Study
Guide (2025/2026)
1. Nursing Process – Chapters 4, 5, 6
a. Assess
• Definition: The systematic collection and analysis of patient data to determine the
patient’s health status.
• Types of Assessments:
o Initial assessment: A comprehensive assessment conducted when the patient
first enters the healthcare system.
o Ongoing assessment: Continuous or periodic assessment throughout the
patient’s care.
o Focused assessment: Focuses on a specific area or issue, especially when new
problems arise.
• Key Points:
o Use open-ended questions to encourage patient input.
o Collect objective data (e.g., vital signs) and subjective data (e.g., patient’s
symptoms).
o Organize data using systems (e.g., head-to-toe assessment).
b. Diagnosis
• Definition: The process of identifying the patient’s health problems through analysis of
assessment data.
• Types of Diagnoses:
o Nursing diagnosis: Focuses on the patient’s response to health conditions (e.g.,
“Ineffective Airway Clearance”).
o Risk diagnosis: Identifies potential health problems (e.g., “Risk for Infection”).
• NANDA-I is a framework used for writing nursing diagnoses, which includes a problem
(e.g., Ineffective Breathing Pattern), an etiology (cause), and signs/symptoms (e.g.,
labored breathing).
,c. Plan
• Definition: Develop a care plan that establishes goals for the patient and the nursing
interventions needed to achieve them.
• SMART Goals: o Specific o Measurable o Achievable o Relevant o Time-bound
• Example: "Patient will demonstrate effective coughing and deep breathing every 2 hours
by the end of the shift."
d. Implement
• Definition: Carry out the nursing interventions that have been planned.
• Interventions:
o Independent: Actions nurses can do independently (e.g., positioning, providing
comfort measures).
o Dependent: Interventions that require a physician’s order (e.g., administering
medications).
o Collaborative: Actions performed by multiple healthcare team members (e.g.,
physical therapy, dietitian).
e. Evaluate
• Definition: Assess the patient's progress toward the goals.
• Evaluate:
o Were the goals met? o What was the patient’s response to interventions? o
Adjust the care plan as needed.
2. Prioritizing – Chapters 4, 5, 6
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Prioritize care based on the patient’s immediate
physiological needs before psychological and social needs.
o High Priority: Life-threatening or urgent issues (e.g., airway obstruction).
o Medium Priority: Important, but not immediately lifethreatening (e.g., pain).
o Low Priority: Conditions affecting quality of life (e.g., comfort measures).
, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory developed by Abraham
Maslow that describes human motivation as a pyramid of needs. It suggests that
people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to higher-level needs.
The hierarchy is usually shown as five levels:
1. Physiological Needs (Basic)
• These are the fundamental needs for survival, like food, water, warmth, shelter, and
sleep.
1. Safety Needs (Basic)
• This level involves the need for security, safety, and stability. It includes physical safety,
financial security, health, and freedom from fear.
1. Love and Belonging Needs (Psychological)
• This stage includes the need for relationships, friendships, social connections, and a
sense of belonging to a group or community.
1. Esteem Needs (Psychological)
• This includes the need for self-esteem, recognition, respect from others, and a sense of
accomplishment.
1. Self-Actualization (Self-Fulfillment)
• At the top of the pyramid, self-actualization refers to realizing one's full potential and
striving for personal growth, creativity, and fulfillment.
How it Pertains to Nursing:
Maslow’s Hierarchy is incredibly relevant to nursing because it helps nurses
understand the full scope of a patient's needs, guiding care from a holistic perspective. 1.
Physiological Needs in Nursing:
o Nurses first ensure that patients' basic survival needs are met, such as providing
food, water, oxygen, medication, and pain relief.
o Monitoring vital signs, ensuring proper nutrition, and addressing hygiene are key
nursing actions.
2. Safety Needs in Nursing:
o Nurses create a safe environment for patients by preventing falls, ensuring
proper infection control, and addressing any fears or anxieties patients may have
about their health or hospital environment.
Guide (2025/2026)
1. Nursing Process – Chapters 4, 5, 6
a. Assess
• Definition: The systematic collection and analysis of patient data to determine the
patient’s health status.
• Types of Assessments:
o Initial assessment: A comprehensive assessment conducted when the patient
first enters the healthcare system.
o Ongoing assessment: Continuous or periodic assessment throughout the
patient’s care.
o Focused assessment: Focuses on a specific area or issue, especially when new
problems arise.
• Key Points:
o Use open-ended questions to encourage patient input.
o Collect objective data (e.g., vital signs) and subjective data (e.g., patient’s
symptoms).
o Organize data using systems (e.g., head-to-toe assessment).
b. Diagnosis
• Definition: The process of identifying the patient’s health problems through analysis of
assessment data.
• Types of Diagnoses:
o Nursing diagnosis: Focuses on the patient’s response to health conditions (e.g.,
“Ineffective Airway Clearance”).
o Risk diagnosis: Identifies potential health problems (e.g., “Risk for Infection”).
• NANDA-I is a framework used for writing nursing diagnoses, which includes a problem
(e.g., Ineffective Breathing Pattern), an etiology (cause), and signs/symptoms (e.g.,
labored breathing).
,c. Plan
• Definition: Develop a care plan that establishes goals for the patient and the nursing
interventions needed to achieve them.
• SMART Goals: o Specific o Measurable o Achievable o Relevant o Time-bound
• Example: "Patient will demonstrate effective coughing and deep breathing every 2 hours
by the end of the shift."
d. Implement
• Definition: Carry out the nursing interventions that have been planned.
• Interventions:
o Independent: Actions nurses can do independently (e.g., positioning, providing
comfort measures).
o Dependent: Interventions that require a physician’s order (e.g., administering
medications).
o Collaborative: Actions performed by multiple healthcare team members (e.g.,
physical therapy, dietitian).
e. Evaluate
• Definition: Assess the patient's progress toward the goals.
• Evaluate:
o Were the goals met? o What was the patient’s response to interventions? o
Adjust the care plan as needed.
2. Prioritizing – Chapters 4, 5, 6
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Prioritize care based on the patient’s immediate
physiological needs before psychological and social needs.
o High Priority: Life-threatening or urgent issues (e.g., airway obstruction).
o Medium Priority: Important, but not immediately lifethreatening (e.g., pain).
o Low Priority: Conditions affecting quality of life (e.g., comfort measures).
, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory developed by Abraham
Maslow that describes human motivation as a pyramid of needs. It suggests that
people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to higher-level needs.
The hierarchy is usually shown as five levels:
1. Physiological Needs (Basic)
• These are the fundamental needs for survival, like food, water, warmth, shelter, and
sleep.
1. Safety Needs (Basic)
• This level involves the need for security, safety, and stability. It includes physical safety,
financial security, health, and freedom from fear.
1. Love and Belonging Needs (Psychological)
• This stage includes the need for relationships, friendships, social connections, and a
sense of belonging to a group or community.
1. Esteem Needs (Psychological)
• This includes the need for self-esteem, recognition, respect from others, and a sense of
accomplishment.
1. Self-Actualization (Self-Fulfillment)
• At the top of the pyramid, self-actualization refers to realizing one's full potential and
striving for personal growth, creativity, and fulfillment.
How it Pertains to Nursing:
Maslow’s Hierarchy is incredibly relevant to nursing because it helps nurses
understand the full scope of a patient's needs, guiding care from a holistic perspective. 1.
Physiological Needs in Nursing:
o Nurses first ensure that patients' basic survival needs are met, such as providing
food, water, oxygen, medication, and pain relief.
o Monitoring vital signs, ensuring proper nutrition, and addressing hygiene are key
nursing actions.
2. Safety Needs in Nursing:
o Nurses create a safe environment for patients by preventing falls, ensuring
proper infection control, and addressing any fears or anxieties patients may have
about their health or hospital environment.
