Foundations of Nursing Practice - PN 1010

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Foundations of Nursing Practice course, covering key terms, concepts, and definitions to aid in exam preparation.

Foundation

The basis or groundwork for something.

Midwifery

The practice of assisting women in childbirth.

Antisepsis

The practice of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

Corporal work of mercy

Acts of compassion by which we help our neighbors with their everyday material and physical needs.

Deaconesses

Women who were appointed by the church to assist the clergy.

Florence Nightingale

Founder of modern nursing, known for her pioneering work in nursing education.

Licensure

The granting of licenses to practice a profession.

Red Cross Association

An organization created to provide emergency assistance, disaster relief, and education.

Activist

A person who campaigns for some kind of social change.

Practical Nurse (PN)

A nurse who has completed a practical nursing program and has obtained a license to practice.

R.D. (Registered Dietitian)

A health professional who has expertise in the field of diet and nutrition.

Clinical

Related to the observation and treatment of actual patients.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)

A managed care organization that provides a range of health services for a fixed annual fee.

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)

A type of health plan that contracts with medical providers to create a network of participating providers.

Point-of-Service (POS)

A type of health insurance plan that blends features of HMO and PPO plans.

Self-Pay

Payment for medical services by the patient without insurance.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program for individuals over age 65 or those with certain disabilities.

Medicaid

A government program that provides health insurance for low-income individuals.

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

A comprehensive health care reform law enacted in March 2010 aimed at increasing health insurance coverage.

Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

Conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that affect health outcomes.

Managed Care

A health care delivery system designed to manage cost, utilization, and quality.

Acute Care Hospital

A type of facility providing medical care for short-term treatment.

Long-Term Care

A variety of services that assist with the personal care needs of individuals.

Client-Centered Care

An approach to health care that emphasizes the patient's individual needs and preferences.

Case Management

A collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates options and services.

Civility

The act of treating others with respect, regardless of disagreements.

Advocacy

The act of supporting or defending another person or cause.

Responsibility

The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something.

Accountability

The obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities.

Values

Beliefs or principles that guide an individual's behavior.

Morals

Personal beliefs about right and wrong.

Ethics

Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.

Confidentiality

The ethical principle that dictates that information regarding a patient is kept private.

Fidelity

The duty to keep promises and commitments.

Veracity

The principle of truth-telling in nursing care.

Beneficence

The ethical principle of doing good and promoting the interests of patients.

Nonmaleficence

The commitment to do no harm.

Justice

The ethical principle that emphasizes fairness in care delivery.

Autonomy

The right of individuals to make their own choices.

Good Samaritan Law

A law that protects individuals from legal liability when they voluntarily help others in emergency situations.

Unintentional Tort

A civil wrong resulting from negligence.

Malpractice

Professional negligence by act or omission by a health care provider.

Negligence

Failure to take reasonable care to avoid causing injury or losses.

Breach of Confidentiality

Disclosure of private information without consent.

Defamation of Character

The act of damaging someone's good reputation through false statements.

Assault

The act of threatening harm to another person.

Battery

The intentional and wrongful physical contact with another person without consent.

False Imprisonment

Holding a patient against their will.

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted sexual advances or remarks.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

A law that provides data privacy and security provisions for safeguarding medical information.

Nurse Practice Acts (NPA)

Laws enacted in each state to regulate the practice of nursing.

Mandatory Reporting Laws

Laws requiring specific professionals to report abuses.

Tort Laws

Laws that address civil wrongs and damages.

Advance Directives

Legal documents that give directives about medical care if a person becomes incapacitated.

Informed Consent

A process for getting permission before conducting a healthcare intervention.

Patient Health Record

A comprehensive account of a patient's medical history and care.

Professional Liability Insurance

Insurance that protects professionals against claims of negligence.

Continuing Education

Educational programs to maintain and improve knowledge and skills.

Delegating Tasks

Assigning responsibilities to others to effectively manage care.

Team Nursing

A nursing care delivery model where nursing team members work together to provide patient care.

Delegation

The process where a nurse assigns aspects of patient care to other team members.

Critical Thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

Ethical Dilemma

A conflict between moral imperatives.

Nursing Judgment

A nurse's ability to assess and determine the appropriate actions for patient care.

Caring

A key attribute of nursing that manifests in understanding and helping patients.

Compassion

Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings of others.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Professionalism

The conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize a profession.

Communication Skills

The ability to convey information effectively.

Comforting

Providing physical or emotional relief to patients.

Observant

Being quick to notice things that are significant.

Crisis management

The process by which an organization deals with a disruptive and unexpected event.

Healthcare Team

A group of health professionals who work collaboratively to provide quality health care.

Quality Improvement

Ongoing efforts to improve products, services, or processes.

Evidence-Based Practice

Using current best evidence in making decisions about the care of patients.

Patient-Centered Care

Care that respects and responds to the preferences, needs, and values of patients.

Informatics

The use of information technology in healthcare.

Respect

A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something.

Health care delivery

The provision of healthcare services to patients.

Culturally sensitive care

Healthcare that is respectful of and responsive to the cultural and linguistic needs of patients.

Teamwork

The cooperative effort by the members of a group to achieve a common goal.

Clinical Judgment

The ability to interpret a situation in order to make sound decisions.

Self-Responsibility

The accountability one takes for their own actions and decisions.

Scope of Practice

The procedures, actions, and processes that a licensed nurse is permitted to undertake.

Health Literacy

The degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand basic health information.

Therapeutic Communication

The use of verbal and non-verbal techniques that focus on the physical and emotional well-being of patients.

Holistic Care

Care that addresses the whole person, not just their physical symptoms.

Advocacy

Supporting individuals in making their own healthcare decisions.

Crisis Intervention

Immediate, short-term assistance given to individuals in acute distress.

Mental Health Care

Care focused on treating and managing mental health conditions.

Physical Assessment

An examination of the body to evaluate a patient's health status.

Patient Education

The process of teaching patients about their health, medical conditions, and treatments.

Legal Liability

The legal responsibility of a nurse to provide necessary standards of patient care.

Discharge Planning

The process of preparing a patient to leave a healthcare facility.

Chronic Illness

A long-lasting health condition that can be controlled but not cured.

Emergency Care

Immediate treatment given to patients who are critically ill or injured.

Outpatient Care

Medical care provided to patients who do not stay overnight in a hospital.

Referral

The process of directing a patient to another physician or specialist.

Collaboration

Working together with health professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.

Interventions

Actions taken to improve a situation or to assist a patient.