Fundamentals of Nursing (OpenStax)
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Fundamentals of Nursing aligns with the outcomes and competencies of a nursing fundamentals course. It is designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and practical expertise essential for delivering holistic and patient-centered care. The authors emphasize the application of clinical judgment across diverse healthcare environments, ensuring readiness to deliver high-quality, compassionate care in an inclusive and supportive manner. Composed of 43 chapters, Fundamentals of Nursing offers an in-depth exploration of the roles and responsibilities of the nursing profession, the healthcare environment, and the application of critical thinking and evidence-based practice.
Fundamentals of Nursing features a variety of engaging and informative resources designed to prepare students for real-world clinical environments. By simulating patient interactions, students develop critical communication skills essential for effective nursing care. Insights from practicing nurses provide real-world perspectives, helping bridge the gap between theory and practice. The offering builds student confidence and competence through its focus on Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN), inclusion of robust unfolding case studies, and integration of NCLEX practice.
Front Matter
1: Introduction to the Nursing Profession- Evolution, Theories, and Practice
2: Communication
3: Healthcare Delivery Systems
4: Health, Wellness, and Community-Based Health Care
5: Cultural Competence
6: Promoting Individualized Care
7: Vital Signs
8: Admission, Transfer, and Discharge
9: Safety and Security
10: Infection Control and Prevention
11: Medication Administration
12: Assessment - Recognizing Cues
13: Diagnosis and Planning - Analyzing, Prioritizing, and Generating Solutions
14: Implementation and Evaluation - Taking Action, Evaluating Outcomes, and Documentation
15: Evidence-Based Research, Quality Improvement, and Collaborative Practice
16: Legal and Ethical Considerations
17: Patient and Family Education
18: Leadership and Management in Nursing
19: Oxygenation and Perfusion
20: Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
21: Nutrition
22: Activity
23: Neuromuscular Function
24: Skin Integrity
25: Hygiene
26: Urinary Elimination
27: Bowel Elimination
28: Sleep and Rest
29: Sensory Alterations
30: Pain Assessment
31: Perioperative Nursing Care
32: Self-Concept
33: Sexuality
34: Stress, Adaptation, and Homeostasis
35: Spirituality
36: Grief, Loss, Death, and Dying
37: Family Dynamics
38: Growth and Development
39: Conception Through Adolescence
40: Young and Middle-Aged Adults
41: Older Adults
42: Caring for Patients with Disability and Chronic Illness
43: Clinical Judgment and Critical Thinking
44: Appendix
45: Answer Key
Back Matter
Thumbnail: Black and gray stethoscope. (Unsplash License; Hush Naidoo via Unsplash)