Fundamentals of Nursing Weeks 1-6
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116 Terms
Q: Define nursing.
A: Nursing focuses on assisting individuals, families, and communities to maintain, attain, or restore optimal health and cope with illness or death.
Q: List the primary roles of a nurse.
A: Caregiver, Advocate, Educator, Leader, Researcher, and Collaborator.
Q: What is the goal of nursing care?
A: To provide improved, patient-centered care that promotes health and wellness.
Q: Define nursing research.
A: Systematic inquiry aimed at developing knowledge to improve patient care, guide education, policy, and ethics.
Q: Differentiate quantitative vs. qualitative research.
A: Quantitative = numerical data, measurable variables; Qualitative = narrative data, explores meanings and experiences.
Q: Define Evidence-Based Practice (EBP).
A: A problem-solving approach integrating the best research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values.
Q: What does PICOT stand for in EBP?
P: Patient/Population/Problem
I: Intervention
C: Comparison
O: Outcome
T: Time frame
Q: List the steps of EBP.
A:
Formulate clinical question (PICOT)
Search for best evidence
Critically appraise evidence
Integrate with clinical expertise & patient preferences
Evaluate outcomes
Disseminate results
Q: Define holistic nursing.
A: Care of the whole person — addressing physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cultural needs.
Q: What are the stages of illness behavior?
A:
Experiencing symptoms
Assuming sick role
Assuming dependent role
Recovery/Rehabilitation
Q: Define health disparity.
A: Differences in health outcomes linked to social, economic, or environmental disadvantage.
Q: Define health equity.
A: The attainment of the highest level of health for all people.
Q: What are the six social determinants of health?
A: Economic stability, Neighborhood/environment, Education, Food access, Social context, Healthcare system.
Q: What are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (bottom → top)?
A: Physiological → Safety/Security → Love/Belonging → Self-Esteem → Self-Actualization.
Q: Define primary health promotion.
A: Preventing disease/injury (e.g., immunizations, safety education).
Q: Define secondary health promotion.
A: Early detection/screening for disease (e.g., BP checks, Pap smears).
Q: Define tertiary health promotion.
A: Rehabilitation and reducing disability after diagnosis (e.g., physical therapy).
Q: Name common safety risks in the elderly.
A: Falls, nocturia, incontinence, polypharmacy, vision/hearing changes, decreased reflexes.
Q: Define polypharmacy.
A: use of multiple medications, increasing risk for adverse interactions.
Q: Describe the Morse Fall Scale.
A: Tool scoring six factors to determine fall risk.
0–5 = none
6–13 = low
14–24 = moderate
25+ = high risk.
Q: What steps ensure safe ambulation?
A: Dangle legs, monitor for dizziness, stand on weak side, support at waist, encourage steady pace.
Q: Explain the acronym COAL for cane use.
A: Cane Opposite Affected Leg.
Q: Identify crutch gaits.
A:
4-point: alternate each crutch & opposite leg
3-point: both crutches + injured leg move together
2-point: move opposite leg & crutch simultaneously
Q: What order is required for restraint use?
A: A doctor’s order specifying type, reason, and duration.
Q: List restraint complications.
A: Immobility, pressure ulcers, impaired breathing/circulation, falls, psychological harm, death.
Q: Name alternatives to restraints.
A: Reorientation, bed alarm, family presence, call bell, 1:1 sitter, meet basic needs.
Q: Describe seizure precautions.
A: Stay with patient, assist to floor, turn to side, support head, pad rails, no restraint, nothing in mouth.
Q: What are hygiene considerations for older adults?
A: Less frequent bathing, avoid hot water, increased dental issues, gentle skin care.
Q: State safe lifting principles.
A: Bend knees, straight back, hold objects close, avoid twisting, push rather than pull.
Q: Define body mechanics.
A: Efficient use of body to protect self and patient during movement.
Q: Define anti-embolic stockings.
A: Compression garments promoting venous return and preventing DVT.
Q: Define sequential compression devices (SCDs).
A: Inflatable sleeves that intermittently squeeze legs to enhance venous return.
Q: Define generic name of a drug.
A: Official name given by manufacturer (e.g., acetaminophen).
Q: Define trade name of a drug.
A: Brand name given by the company selling it (e.g., Tylenol).
Q: Define pharmacokinetics.
A: How the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs.
Q: Define absorption.
A: Drug movement from administration site into bloodstream.
Q: Define distribution.
A: Transport of drug to target tissues via circulation.
Q: Define metabolism.
A: Drug breakdown into active/inactive forms (mainly by liver).
Q: Define first-pass effect.
A: Liver metabolizes oral drugs before reaching systemic circulation, reducing efficacy.
Q: Define therapeutic effect.
A: Expected, desired drug response.
Q: Define allergic reaction.
A: Immune response producing antibodies against drug antigens.
Q: Define tolerance.
A: Decreased response requiring increased dose for same effect.
Q: Define toxic effect.
A: Cumulative effect when drug builds up faster than it’s metabolized.
Q: Define idiosyncratic reaction.
A: Unpredictable or opposite effect (unusual response).
Q: List 11 Rights of Medication.
A: Right: medication, patient, dose, route, time, reason, assessment, documentation, response, education, refuse
Q: Describe the three medication checks.
A:
When selecting medication
Before preparation (check with EMAR)
Before administration to patient (at bedside)
Q: Define therapeutic range.
A: Drug blood concentration producing desired effect without toxicity.
Q: Define peak and trough levels.
A: Peak = highest concentration (1 hr after dose); Trough = lowest (30 min before next dose).
Q: Define half-life.
A: Time required for drug to decrease to half its peak (time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body)
Q: What is the proper order for mixing insulin?
A: Air into cloudy → Air into clear → Draw clear → Draw cloudy.
Q: What should always be checked before insulin administration?
A: Blood glucose and meal tray availability.
Q: What angle is used for IM injections?
A: 90° with Z-track method.
Q: What angle is used for SubQ injections?
A: 45°–90°, depending on tissue thickness.
Q: Define intradermal injection.
A: Shallow injection (5–15°) used for skin testing, forming a small bleb.
Q: What is the nurse’s first action after a needlestick injury?
A: Report immediately, wash site, seek emergency evaluation, complete incident report.
Q: Define IV therapy.
A: Administration of fluids, electrolytes, blood, or medication directly into the vein.
Q: List major goals of IV therapy.
A: Maintain fluid/electrolyte balance, provide nutrition, administer meds, replace blood volume.
Q: Define crystalloid solution.
A: Clear solution (isotonic/hypotonic/hypertonic) for hydration and volume expansion. (small molecules moving between blood vessels & cells dependent on concentration)
Q: Define colloid solution.
A: Contains large molecules (e.g., albumin, blood) that increase osmotic pressure. (Act like magnets and keep fluid in blood vessels)
Q: Define TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition).
A: Nutritional formula given IV via central line to patients unable to eat.
Q: Differentiate peripheral IV, midline, and central line.
A:
Peripheral: short-term, small veins
Midline: 5–14 days, upper arm
Central: long-term, ends in superior vena cava
Q: Define infiltration.
A: Fluid leaking into tissue—causes swelling, pallor, coolness.
Q: Define extravasation.
A: Leakage of vesicant (harmful) solution causing tissue damage.
Q: Define phlebitis.
A: Vein inflammation causing redness, warmth, tenderness.
Q: Define thrombophlebitis.
A: Blood clot with vein inflammation—pain, hardened vein.
Q: Define fluid overload.
A: Excess IV fluid → distended neck veins, dyspnea, crackles.
Q: Define air embolus.
A: Air entering bloodstream → respiratory distress, cyanosis, low BP.
Q: Define infection at IV site.
A: Redness, edema, drainage, fever—requires line removal and antibiotics.
Q: Define blood transfusion.
A: Infusion of blood or components (RBCs, plasma, platelets) to restore volume or treat anemia.
Q: What are universal donor and universal recipient blood types?
A: O = universal donor; AB = universal recipient.
Q: Define Rh factor.
A: Presence (+) or absence (–) of D antigen on RBCs; Rh-negative can only receive Rh-negative blood
Q: What is RhoGAM used for?
A: Prevents Rh incompatibility between Rh-negative mother and Rh-positive fetus.
Q: What are common blood transfusion reactions?
A: Fever, chills, dyspnea, hypotension, back pain, rash.
Q: First nursing action for transfusion reaction?
A: Stop transfusion, keep vein open with NS, notify provider & blood bank
Q: Define nursing process.
A: A systematic, goal-oriented method to identify, diagnose, and treat patient responses to health problems.
Q: Define assessment.
A: Systematic data collection about a patient’s health status using observation, interview, and physical exam.
Q: Define subjective vs. objective data.
A: Subjective = patient statements; Objective = measurable/observable findings.
Q: What is OLDCARTS used for?
A: Symptom analysis — Onset, Location, Duration, Characteristics, Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Relief, Treatment, Severity.
Q: Define nursing diagnosis.
A: Clinical judgment about patient’s response to health condition or life process.
Q: Define planning.
A: Setting SMART goals and identifying nursing interventions to achieve desired outcomes.
Q: Define implementation.
A: Performing evidence-based nursing actions to achieve outcomes.
Q: Define evaluation.
A: Measuring patient response to determine if goals were met or plan needs revision.
Q: Define SMART goal.
A: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound.
Q: Define direct care intervention.
A: Care performed directly with patient (e.g., medication administration, teaching).
Q: Define indirect care intervention.
A: Activities performed away from patient but on their behalf (e.g., advocacy, documentation, infection control/prevention).
Q: Define nurse-initiated intervention.
A: Actions a nurse can perform independently (e.g., repositioning, health education).
Q: Define physician-initiated intervention.
A: Actions requiring a provider’s order (e.g., medication administration).
Q: When does discharge planning begin?
A: At admission. (think about what referrals one might need, what after care a pt. might need)
Q: Define concept mapping.
A: A visual tool connecting patient problems, goals, interventions, and relationships.
Q: What is the purpose of concept mapping?
A: Promotes critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and holistic understanding.
Q: List the steps of concept mapping.
A:
Collect patient data/problems
Analyze & connect relationships
Diagram key concepts & nursing actions
Evaluate outcomes & revise as needed.
Q: Define holism.
A: Care considering the whole person—physical, mental, spiritual, cultural aspects.
Q: Define transcultural nursing.
A: Providing culturally competent care that respects diverse beliefs, values, and practices.
Q: What are key components of culturally competent care?
A: Awareness, knowledge, sensitivity, and adaptation to cultural needs.
Q: Define cultural humility.
A: Ongoing self-reflection and openness to learning from patients about their cultures.
What to do when a patient has infiltration
Nursing Actions:
Stop infusion immediately.
Remove IV catheter.
Elevate affected limb to promote fluid absorption.
Apply warm compress (for isotonic/alkaline) or cold compress (for hypertonic) as ordered.
Restart IV in a different site, opposite extremity if possible.
Do NOT rub site.
Sign & symptom of infiltration
Swelling or puffiness around site
Skin cool to touch, pale
Pain or tightness at site
Slowed or stopped IV flow rate
sign & symptom of extravasation
Pain, burning, or stinging at site
Redness and swelling
Blistering or necrosis may develop
what to do if a patient has extravasation
Nursing Actions:
Stop infusion immediately.
Disconnect tubing; aspirate any residual drug from catheter (if protocol allows).
Do not flush line.
Notify provider immediately.
Administer antidote (e.g., phentolamine for dopamine).
Elevate limb, apply cold or warm compress per policy.
Document and photograph area; restart IV in opposite arm.
sign & symptom of phlebitis
Redness and warmth along vein path
Tenderness, pain, swelling
Palpable cord-like vein