Nursing Concepts Review

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering essential nursing concepts as outlined in the lecture notes.

Thermoregulation

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal temperature regardless of external environmental conditions.

Hypothalamus

The part of the brain that manages thermoregulation.

At-Risk Populations for Thermoregulation Problems

Infants, elderly adults, people with chronic illnesses, individuals on certain medications, homeless individuals, athletes and outdoor workers.

Temperature Measurement Methods

Oral, rectal, axillary, tympanic, and temporal artery.

Signs of Hyperthermia

Flushed skin, sweating, tachycardia, confusion, seizures.

Signs of Hypothermia

Pale/cold skin, early shivering, slurred speech, slow heart rate.

Vital Sign Ranges for Newborns (0-28 days)

Heart rate 100-160 bpm, respiratory rate 30-60, temperature 36.5-37.5°C.

Nursing Interventions for Hypothermia

Warm blankets, heated environments, monitor vitals and LOC.

Body of Knowledge in Nursing

Nursing has a well-defined, evidence-based body of knowledge combining science, theory, and practice.

Profession

A field requiring specialized education and ongoing learning.

Code of Ethics in Nursing

Guidance on moral obligations and professional conduct as provided by the ANA.

Licensure and Regulation in Nursing

Nurses must be licensed by a state board and adhere to Nurse Practice Acts.

Nursing Process

A systematic, patient-centered method to identify and treat health responses.

Assessment Phase of Nursing Process (ADPIE)

Collecting subjective and objective data.

Diagnosis Phase of Nursing Process (ADPIE)

Identifying health problems using NANDA-I guidelines.

Planning Phase of Nursing Process (ADPIE)

Setting SMART goals and choosing appropriate interventions.

Implementation Phase of Nursing Process (ADPIE)

Carrying out interventions to achieve patient goals.

Evaluation Phase of Nursing Process (ADPIE)

Assessing if goals were met and modifying the plan as necessary.

Professional Communication

Includes verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic exchanges for effective information transfer.

Verbal Communication Techniques

Use of spoken or written words to convey messages.

Nonverbal Communication Techniques

Communication without words, through body language, facial expressions, and gestures.

Therapeutic Communication

Techniques aimed at promoting patient well-being and understanding.

Non-Therapeutic Communication

Communication that hinders or damages the nurse-patient relationship.

Empathy in Nursing

Recognizing and sharing the patient's feelings without judgment.

Clinical Decision-Making

Prioritizing patient care based on assessment and using critical thinking.

Defense Mechanisms

Unconscious psychological strategies to protect oneself from anxiety.

Common Defense Mechanisms

Denial, repression, regression, displacement, projection, rationalization, sublimation, reaction formation.

Impaired Thermoregulation

The body's inability to maintain a core temperature within a safe range.

Hypothermia Core Body Temp

Core body temperature less than 35°C (95°F).

Hyperthermia Core Body Temp

Core body temperature greater than 38°C (100.4°F).

Fever (Pyrexia) Definition

Controlled rise in temperature due to infection.

Heatstroke

Uncontrolled rise in temperature, often life-threatening.

Signs of Impaired Gas Exchange

Dyspnea, tachypnea, hypoxia, hypoxemia.

Gas Exchange Definition

The process of transporting oxygen to cells and removing carbon dioxide.

Ventilation

Movement of air in and out of the lungs.

Diffusion in Related Concepts

Movement of gases between the alveoli and pulmonary capillaries.

Perfusion in Related Concepts

Flow of blood through the body’s arteries and capillaries.

Nursing Interventions for Impaired Gas Exchange

Positioning, administering oxygen, encouraging deep breathing.

Physical Assessment Techniques

Includes inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation.

Perfusion Definition

Flow of blood delivering oxygen and nutrients to cells.

Signs of Compromised Perfusion

Hypotension, tachycardia, delayed capillary refill.

Patient Education Definition

Process of teaching patients and caregivers about health and self-management.

Standardized Terminologies in Nursing

Consistent language systems used to document nursing care.

SBAR Communication Tool

A standardized format for effective information exchange.

Health Care Law Definition

The system of legal rules governing healthcare delivery and patient rights.

Health Care Quality Definition

Degree to which health services improve desired health outcomes.

Quality Improvement (QI) in Nursing

Activity that monitors outcomes and seeks improvements in care.

National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs)

Specific goals to improve patient care safety.

QSEN (Quality and Safety Education for Nurses)

An initiative to prepare nurses with KSAs to improve quality and safety.

Ethics in Nursing

Moral principles and values guiding nursing practice.

Core Ethical Principles in Nursing

Autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, fidelity, veracity.

Health Policy Definition

Plans and actions taken to achieve health care goals.

Care Coordination Definition

Deliberate organization of patient care activities across settings.

Caregiving Definition

Providing support to individuals with health needs.

Collaborative Interventions in Nursing

Joint efforts among healthcare team members to optimize care.

Community Health Nursing Definition

Promoting health and preventing disease within populations.

Types of Community Health Nursing

Public health, community-based, occupational, school, residential, parish, correctional.

Health Care Organizations (HCOs) Definition

Structured systems providing health services to improve health.

Health Care Economics Definition

Examines resource use, allocation, and financing for health services.

Health Promotion Definition

Activities to improve well-being and prevent disease.

Health Care Quality Dimensions (IOM)

Safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient, equitable.

Three Levels of Prevention

Primary, secondary, tertiary levels of disease prevention.