Comprehensive Nursing Fundamentals: History, Ethics, Infection Control, Safety, and Delegation

What is nursing?

The science and art of caring for people, ensuring quality care for vulnerable individuals.

What role does advocacy play in nursing?

Nurses advocate for those without advocates, representing their needs and rights.

How many years in a row has nursing been voted the Most Trusted Profession?

23 years.

What are the key roles of nurses?

Caregivers, communicators, teachers, counselors, leaders, researchers, advocates, and collaborators.

What was the focus of nursing during the Crusades?

The establishment of hospitals for pilgrims.

Who is known as 'The Lady with the Lamp'?

Florence Nightingale.

What did Florence Nightingale contribute to nursing?

Established nursing education, recognized the need for hospital management, and highlighted the importance of nutrition and therapies.

What significant change in nursing occurred after WWII?

Women began working in nursing, leading to increased independence and assertiveness.

What are the aims of nursing?

Promote health, prevent illness, restore health, and facilitate coping.

What factors affect health?

Genetic, cognitive abilities, educational level, race, ethnicity, culture, age, biologic sex, developmental level, lifestyle, environment, SES, and health literacy.

What is the goal of patient-centered health promotion?

To attain healthy, thriving lives and well-being, free of preventable disease and disability.

What is the purpose of health assessments in nursing?

To promote good health habits and identify health issues through checks like blood pressure and glucose.

What types of nursing education exist?

Practical/Vocational Nursing, Diploma Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN), and Graduate Nursing.

What is the role of the American Nurses Association (ANA)?

To advance professional nursing by maintaining high standards and advocating for health issues.

What is the purpose of the National Student Nurse Association (NSNA)?

To represent nursing students and support their education and professional development.

What does the Nurse Practice Act do?

Guides professional and ethical conduct of nurses through state legislation.

What is the nursing process?

A systematic step-by-step guide to client-centered care.

What are current trends affecting nursing?

Changing demographics, technology, educated consumers, alternative care, and nursing shortages.

What is the STOP technique in nursing self-care?

S - Stop and take a step back, T - Take a few breaths, O - Observe inside yourself, P - Proceed after you pause.

What is the goal of nursing research?

To improve patient care and develop explanations and solutions for health promotion.

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research in nursing?

Qualitative research explores understanding and experiences, while quantitative research measures effects and outcomes.

What rights do patients have in research?

Informed consent, the right to refuse participation, confidentiality, and protection from harm.

What are the steps of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)?

Ask the PICOT question, find evidence, evaluate evidence, integrate evidence, evaluate outcomes, and disseminate outcomes.

What is quality improvement in nursing?

The process of identifying what to change, measuring the change, and implementing it effectively.

What are the primary responsibilities of nursing in restoring health?

Assessing abnormalities, directing care, collaborating with healthcare team members, planning and teaching rehabilitation, and addressing mental health.

What is the focus of nursing education?

Practical/Vocational Nursing, Diploma Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN), and Graduate Nursing.

What does the National League of Nursing (NLN) focus on?

The development and improvement of nursing education and offering various testing options.

What is the purpose of the Nurse Practice Act?

To guide professional and ethical conduct of nurses through state legislation.

What is the significance of the Code of Ethics in nursing?

It outlines the ethical obligations and duties for those entering professional nursing.

What are the current trends affecting nursing practice?

Changing demographics, technology, educated consumers, alternative care popularity, increased complexity of patient care, healthcare costs, collaborative practice needs, nursing shortages, and advances in nursing science.

What are the two principal methods for deriving nursing theories?

Deductive reasoning and inductive reasoning.

What is the goal of theoretical frameworks in nursing?

To provide holistic patient care, individualized care, and promote health while preventing or treating illness.

What is the focus of nursing research?

To improve patient care by developing explanations and discovering solutions.

What rights do patients have regarding research participation?

Informed consent, the right to refuse participation, confidentiality, and protection from harm.

What are the core professional values in nursing?

Altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, and social justice.

What is the purpose of the ANA Code of Ethics?

To establish non-negotiable standards of ethical responsibilities and duties for all nurses.

What is the difference between moral distress and moral resiliency?

Moral distress refers to the anguish experienced when one knows the right thing to do but feels unable to act, while moral resiliency is the ability to recover from such distress.

What is the care-based approach in nursing ethics?

It emphasizes the centrality of the caring relationship and promotes dignity and respect for patients.

What are common ethical considerations in nursing?

Balancing patient benefit with ethical obligations and navigating complex moral dilemmas.

What is the significance of the Future of Nursing Report?

It emphasizes education, leadership, collaboration, and workforce development in nursing.

What is the role of the National Institute of Nursing Research?

To promote personalized health strategies, improve quality of life for chronic illness patients, and support end-of-life and palliative care.

What is the definition of advocacy in nursing?

The protection and support of another's rights.

What does the term 'holistic patient care' refer to?

Care that addresses the whole person, including their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

What is the importance of collaboration in nursing practice?

To ensure comprehensive care and address the complex needs of patients effectively.

What is the role of continuing education for nurses?

To maintain licensure and stay updated with current practices and standards in nursing.

What is the significance of the Arkansas Action Coalition?

It focuses on improving nursing through education, leadership, and collaboration, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

What is paternalism in nursing ethics?

Paternalism refers to making decisions for a patient without their consent, believing it is in their best interest.

What ethical issue arises from a nurse obtaining an order for a feeding tube for an anorexic teenager who refuses to eat?

This situation exemplifies paternalism.

What are the nursing standards of practice?

They direct and maintain competent nursing practice and outline minimum standards of care expected from all nurses.

What is the duty of advocacy in nursing?

Nurses have a duty to represent the patient's best interests and promote self-determination in decision-making.

What is whistle-blowing in the context of nursing?

Whistle-blowing is the duty to report unsafe care or unethical practices.

What is the purpose of Nurse Practice Acts?

They define and detail practice limits for all types of nursing, including education and licensure requirements.

What is the goal of nursing licensure?

The goal is to protect the public by ensuring that nurses meet competency standards.

What is the difference between a tort and a crime?

A tort is an act against an individual, while a crime is an act against the law.

What constitutes malpractice in nursing?

Malpractice occurs when a nurse fails to follow standards of care, leading to patient harm.

What are the elements of liability in nursing?

Duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

What does HIPAA protect?

HIPAA protects Protected Health Information (PHI) from being disclosed without patient consent.

How can nurses protect PHI?

By not discussing patient information publicly, not leaving charts open, and not accessing unauthorized information.

What is the role of nurses in the courtroom?

Nurses can serve as defendants, fact witnesses, or expert witnesses.

What are some factors affecting nursing competency?

Fatigue and impairment can significantly affect a nurse's competency.

What is the significance of documentation in nursing?

Documentation is crucial; if it's not charted, it didn't happen.

What are mandatory reporters in nursing?

Nurses are required to report elder/child abuse, sexual assault, and certain diseases.

What does the Good Samaritan Law protect?

It protects healthcare providers from legal liability when they provide assistance in emergencies.

What is the importance of informed consent in nursing?

Informed consent ensures that patients understand and agree to the procedures and treatments they receive.

What is the role of nurses in patient education?

Nurses educate patients about their health, treatments, and self-care to promote better outcomes.

What are the consequences of drug or alcohol abuse for nurses?

Such behavior can lead to loss of licensure and legal action.

What is the purpose of accreditation in nursing education?

Accreditation evaluates educational programs to ensure they meet established standards.

What is the difference between licensure and certification in nursing?

Licensure allows nurses to practice in a state, while certification demonstrates advanced competency in a specialty.

What is the significance of maintaining a nurse-patient relationship?

A trusting relationship helps prevent legal issues and promotes better patient care.

What is delegation in nursing?

The transfer of responsibility for the performance of an activity to another person while retaining accountability for the outcome.

Who are UAPs in the healthcare setting?

Unlicensed assistive personnel, such as nurses' aides and certified nursing assistants.

What basic care activities can be delegated to UAPs?

Assistance with bathing, grooming, ambulation, feeding, vital signs, intake and output, weighing, simple dressing changes, transfers, and post-mortem care.

What nursing tasks should not be delegated?

Assessment requiring nursing judgment, formulation of nursing care plans, health teaching, medication administration, and receiving/transmitting verbal orders.

What are the Five Rights of Delegation?

Right Task, Right Circumstances, Right Person, Right Direction/Communication, Right Supervision/Evaluation.

What is the Chain of Infection?

The sequence of events that leads to the spread of infection: Infectious Agent, Reservoir, Portal of Exit, Mode of Transmission, Portal of Entry, Susceptible Host.

What are the disease-causing agents?

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and drug-resistant organisms.

What is a reservoir in the context of infection?

The natural habitat of the organism where it grows and multiplies, such as people, animals, soil, and inanimate objects.

What is the Portal of Exit?

The point of escape for the organism from the reservoir, such as respiratory or gastrointestinal tracts.

What are the means of transmission for infections?

Direct contact, indirect contact, airborne, and droplet transmission.

What is the Portal of Entry?

The point at which organisms enter a new host, often the same as the exit route from the previous reservoir.

What defines a susceptible host?

A source that provides shelter and nourishment, with susceptibility determined by the host's immune resistance.

What occurs during the incubation period of an infection?

The interval between the pathogen's invasion and the appearance of symptoms, during which organisms are growing and multiplying.

What characterizes the prodromal stage of infection?

The most infectious stage with vague and nonspecific early signs and symptoms.

What happens during the full stage of illness?

Infection-specific signs and symptoms appear, with severity and length determined by the type of infection.

What is the convalescent period?

The recovery phase from infection, where signs and symptoms disappear and the person returns to a healthy state.

What are the body's first-line defenders against infection?

Skin, mucous membranes, and normal flora.

What are the hallmark signs of acute infection?

Pain, redness, swelling, and warmth.

What lab data indicates infection?

Elevated white blood cell count, increased specific types of white blood cells, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and presence of pathogens in cultures.

What is the single most effective method of preventing the spread of infection?

Hand washing.

What is asepsis in nursing?

All activities to prevent infection or break the chain of infection.

What is medical asepsis?

Procedures and practices that reduce the number and transfer of pathogens.

What is surgical asepsis?

Practices used to render and keep objects and areas free from microorganisms.

What factors affect the risk for infection?

Immunization status, level of fatigue, nutritional health, pre-existing illnesses, stress level, and integrity of skin and mucous membranes.

What does CAUTI stand for?

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections

What are SSI and CLABSI?

SSI stands for Surgical Site Infections, and CLABSI stands for Central line-associated bloodstream infections.

What are the key components of infection prevention and control?

Patient education, cough etiquette, and implementing sterile techniques.

What is a bundle in healthcare?

A set of 3-5 evidence-based practices implemented together to improve patient outcomes.

What are multidrug-resistant organisms?

Primarily bacteria resistant to one or more classes of antibiotics due to indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

What is MRSA?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria resistant to many antibiotics.

What are common symptoms of C. diff infections?

Watery diarrhea, fever, and mild abdominal cramping.