Fundamentals of Nursing: Core Concepts
This resource provides a foundational overview of essential concepts in nursing
practice.
1. Five Vital Signs: The fundamental physiological assessments include
respirations (rate and quality), pulse rate (rate, rhythm, and strength),
blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), temperature, and pain (often
considered the fifth vital sign).
2. Criteria for Nursing as a Profession: Nursing is recognized as a profession
based on several key criteria:
o A well-defined body of specific and unique knowledge.
o A strong service orientation towards individuals, families, and
communities.
o Recognized authority by a professional group (e.g., the American
Nurses Association - ANA).
o A code of ethics guiding professional conduct.
o A professional organization that sets standards for practice and
education.
o An ongoing commitment to research to advance knowledge and
improve practice.
o Autonomy and self-regulation within the scope of practice.
3. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910): Widely recognized as the founder of
modern nursing. She defined nursing as both an art and a science,
differentiated nursing practice from medicine, advocated for and created
freestanding nursing education, and published influential books on
nursing and healthcare reform. Her work during the Crimean War
, significantly improved patient outcomes through environmental
modifications and hygiene practices.
4. Clara Barton (1821-1912): A pivotal figure in American nursing history,
she established the American Red Cross. During the Civil War, she
volunteered to care for wounded soldiers and provided essential supplies.
She also served as the supervisor of nurses for the Army of the James.
5. Goals of Nursing Research: Nursing research aims to:
o Improve patient care and outcomes in clinical settings.
o Study people and the nursing process itself, including aspects like
education, policy development, ethical considerations, and nursing
history.
o Develop greater autonomy and strength for nursing as a profession
through evidence-based practice and knowledge generation.
o Provide a robust evidence base to guide nursing practice and ensure
high-quality care.
6. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): A problem-solving approach to clinical
decision-making that integrates the best available evidence from research
with the nurse's clinical expertise, and the patient's preferences and
values. EBP aims to achieve the best possible patient outcomes and can
involve specific nursing interventions or the use of established clinical
practice guidelines.
7. Steps in Implementing EBP: The EBP process typically involves the
following steps:
o Step 1: Ask a focused clinical question about an area of interest or a
potential intervention.
o Step 2: Collect the most relevant and best evidence to answer the
question.
, o Step 3: Critically appraise the evidence for its validity, reliability,
and applicability.
o Step 4: Integrate the appraised evidence with the nurse's clinical
expertise, patient preferences, and values to make a decision or
change in practice.
o Step 5: Evaluate the outcomes of the practice decision or change.
8. Human Dimensions Composing the Whole Person: Individuals are
complex beings composed of interconnected dimensions: physical,
intellectual, environmental, spiritual, sociocultural, and emotional.
Nurses consider all these dimensions to provide holistic care.
9. Acute Illness: Characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms and typically
lasts for a short duration. Examples include the common cold, diarrhea,
pneumonia, and appendicitis.
10.Chronic Illness: Characterized by a slow and often insidious onset and
typically involves: permanent changes in health status, often caused by
alterations in anatomy or physiology; the need for specialized patient
education to manage the condition; and a long period of care or support.
Examples include heart disease, diabetes, lung diseases, and arthritis.
11.Stages of Illness Behavior: Individuals often progress through identifiable
stages when experiencing illness:
o Stage 1: Experiencing Symptoms: Recognizing one or more
physical manifestations.
o Stage 2: Assuming the Sick Role: Self-identifying as ill and seeking
validation from others.
o Stage 3: Assuming a Dependent Role: Accepting the illness and
relying on others for care.
This resource provides a foundational overview of essential concepts in nursing
practice.
1. Five Vital Signs: The fundamental physiological assessments include
respirations (rate and quality), pulse rate (rate, rhythm, and strength),
blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), temperature, and pain (often
considered the fifth vital sign).
2. Criteria for Nursing as a Profession: Nursing is recognized as a profession
based on several key criteria:
o A well-defined body of specific and unique knowledge.
o A strong service orientation towards individuals, families, and
communities.
o Recognized authority by a professional group (e.g., the American
Nurses Association - ANA).
o A code of ethics guiding professional conduct.
o A professional organization that sets standards for practice and
education.
o An ongoing commitment to research to advance knowledge and
improve practice.
o Autonomy and self-regulation within the scope of practice.
3. Florence Nightingale (1820-1910): Widely recognized as the founder of
modern nursing. She defined nursing as both an art and a science,
differentiated nursing practice from medicine, advocated for and created
freestanding nursing education, and published influential books on
nursing and healthcare reform. Her work during the Crimean War
, significantly improved patient outcomes through environmental
modifications and hygiene practices.
4. Clara Barton (1821-1912): A pivotal figure in American nursing history,
she established the American Red Cross. During the Civil War, she
volunteered to care for wounded soldiers and provided essential supplies.
She also served as the supervisor of nurses for the Army of the James.
5. Goals of Nursing Research: Nursing research aims to:
o Improve patient care and outcomes in clinical settings.
o Study people and the nursing process itself, including aspects like
education, policy development, ethical considerations, and nursing
history.
o Develop greater autonomy and strength for nursing as a profession
through evidence-based practice and knowledge generation.
o Provide a robust evidence base to guide nursing practice and ensure
high-quality care.
6. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): A problem-solving approach to clinical
decision-making that integrates the best available evidence from research
with the nurse's clinical expertise, and the patient's preferences and
values. EBP aims to achieve the best possible patient outcomes and can
involve specific nursing interventions or the use of established clinical
practice guidelines.
7. Steps in Implementing EBP: The EBP process typically involves the
following steps:
o Step 1: Ask a focused clinical question about an area of interest or a
potential intervention.
o Step 2: Collect the most relevant and best evidence to answer the
question.
, o Step 3: Critically appraise the evidence for its validity, reliability,
and applicability.
o Step 4: Integrate the appraised evidence with the nurse's clinical
expertise, patient preferences, and values to make a decision or
change in practice.
o Step 5: Evaluate the outcomes of the practice decision or change.
8. Human Dimensions Composing the Whole Person: Individuals are
complex beings composed of interconnected dimensions: physical,
intellectual, environmental, spiritual, sociocultural, and emotional.
Nurses consider all these dimensions to provide holistic care.
9. Acute Illness: Characterized by a rapid onset of symptoms and typically
lasts for a short duration. Examples include the common cold, diarrhea,
pneumonia, and appendicitis.
10.Chronic Illness: Characterized by a slow and often insidious onset and
typically involves: permanent changes in health status, often caused by
alterations in anatomy or physiology; the need for specialized patient
education to manage the condition; and a long period of care or support.
Examples include heart disease, diabetes, lung diseases, and arthritis.
11.Stages of Illness Behavior: Individuals often progress through identifiable
stages when experiencing illness:
o Stage 1: Experiencing Symptoms: Recognizing one or more
physical manifestations.
o Stage 2: Assuming the Sick Role: Self-identifying as ill and seeking
validation from others.
o Stage 3: Assuming a Dependent Role: Accepting the illness and
relying on others for care.
