Fundamentals of Nursing: Health, Ethics, Legal, Culture, and Communication

Vocabulary flashcards aligned with lecture notes covering health definitions, stages of illness behavior, prevention levels, cultural concepts, ethical principles, legal standards, and therapeutic communication.

Health

A state of physical, mental, and social well-being, rather than merely the absence of disease.

Wellness

An active state of living in ways that promote physical, mental, and emotional health.

Morbidity

A measure of how frequently a disease occurs within a population.

Mortality

The number of deaths resulting from a specific disease.

Disease

A pathologic change in the body or mind.

Illness

A person's unique response to a disease and altered functioning.

Acute Illness

An illness characterized by a rapid onset and relatively short duration, such as pneumonia, appendicitis, diarrhea, or the common cold.

Chronic Illness

An illness characterized by a slow onset, potential periods of remission and exacerbation, permanent structural or functional changes, and a requirement for long-term support.

Experiencing Symptoms (Stage 1 of Illness Behavior)

The initial stage of illness behavior where physical symptoms (such as cough, chills, fatigue, or shortness of breath) begin and the individual recognizes 'I FEEL something.'

Assuming the Sick Role (Stage 2 of Illness Behavior)

The stage of illness behavior where symptoms worsen (e.g., fever reaches $102^\circ\text{F}$) and the person accepts that they are sick ('I ACCEPT that I'm sick') and seeks medical care.

Assuming a Dependent Role (Stage 3 of Illness Behavior)

The stage of illness behavior where the patient receives a diagnosis, is admitted for treatment, and seeks assistance ('I NEED HELP'), agreeing to follow the prescribed care plan.

Recovery & Rehabilitation (Stage 4 of Illness Behavior)

The final stage of illness behavior where the patient improves, returns home, completes treatment, and gradually increases activity level ('I'M GETTING BETTER').

Health Equity

The attainment of the highest level of health for all people.

Health Disparity

A particular type of health difference that is closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage.

Social Determinants of Health

Conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect health functioning and quality-of-life outcomes.

Diversity

The practice of welcoming individuals of different race, religion, nationality, culture, age, sexual orientation, and identity.

Inclusion

The practice of giving everyone a sense of purpose and belonging.

Equity

Ensuring that everyone has access to the specific conditions and resources they need to thrive.

Modifiable Risk Factors

Health risks that can be changed, including health habits, lifestyle, certain environmental exposures, and controllable physiologic risks.

Nonmodifiable Risk Factors

Health risks that cannot be changed, such as age, genetic factors, fixed physiologic characteristics, and past medical history.

Primary Prevention

Interventions aimed at preventing disease or injury before it occurs, such as immunizations, accident-prevention education, family planning, and safer-sex teaching.

Secondary Prevention

Interventions focused on screening and early detection of disease, such as blood-pressure screenings, regular health examinations, and growth/development screenings.

Tertiary Prevention

Interventions implemented after a diagnosis or treatment to reduce disability, prevent complications, and maximize function (e.g., rehabilitation).

Health Belief Model

A model concerned with what a person perceives to be true about their health, personal susceptibility to illness, disease seriousness, and the benefits of taking action.

Health Promotion Model

A model examining how individual characteristics, experiences, and beliefs interact to motivate health-promoting behavior.

Health–Illness Continuum

A model conceptualizing health as a constantly changing state ranging along a continuum between high-level wellness and death.

Agent–Host–Environment Model

A model examining the interaction between an external agent, a susceptible host, and the environment, particularly useful for understanding infectious diseases.

Culture

A system of shared beliefs, values, behaviors, roles, customs, and expectations learned through family, community, and life experiences.

Cultural Respect

Nursing care that responds to a patient's health beliefs and practices, respects language and communication needs, avoids assumptions, and adapts care safely.

Cultural Assimilation

The process by which an individual or group adopts the characteristics or values of a dominant culture.

Culture Shock

The feeling of discomfort experienced when placed in an unfamiliar culture.

Cultural Imposition

The expectation that others should conform to one's own cultural beliefs, values, or practices.

Cultural Blindness

The practice of ignoring meaningful cultural differences as though they do not exist.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own cultural beliefs, values, or practices are superior to those of others.

Stereotyping

Assuming that all members of a specific cultural, racial, or social group think or behave alike.

Key Cultural Terms Summary

Core concepts required for cultural assessment: stereotyping, ethnocentrism, cultural imposition, cultural blindness, culture shock, and assimilation.

Cultural Humility

A mindset starting with self-awareness of personal biases, open curiosity, and recognition that the patient is the expert on their own beliefs and preferences.

Values

Beliefs about what matters that develop over a lifetime from family, culture, environment, and experiences to guide behavior.

Ethics

The systematic study of right and wrong conduct.

Morals

Personal or communal standards of right and wrong.

Altruism

A professional nursing value demonstrating concern for the welfare and well-being of others.

Autonomy

The ethical principle and professional value respecting a patient's right to self-determination and independent decisions.

Human Dignity

Respect for the inherent worth and uniqueness of every individual.

Integrity

Acting in accordance with an accepted code of ethics and professional standards of practice.

Social Justice

Upholding moral, legal, and humanistic rights for all people.

Nonmaleficence

The core ethical principle to avoid causing harm to patients.

Beneficence

The core ethical principle to act in ways that benefit the patient.

Justice

The core ethical principle to act fairly and give each person their due.

Fidelity

The ethical principle of keeping commitments and promises.

Veracity

The ethical principle of telling the truth.

Accountability

The obligation to answer for one's own actions and decisions.

Utilitarian Thinking

An ethical framework in which the rightness or wrongness of an action depends on its consequences to produce the best overall outcome.

Deontologic Thinking

An ethical framework in which an action is right or wrong independent of its consequences, based on duty or rules.

Moral Distress

The experience of knowing the right thing to do while personal or institutional factors make it difficult to act.

Moral Resilience

The capacity to respond well to morally distressing experiences, maintain integrity, and emerge strong.

Paternalism

Acting for a patient without consent under the belief that it is necessary to secure good or prevent harm.

Advocacy

The protection and support of another person's rights.

Statutory Law

Law enacted by a legislative body.

Common Law

Law that develops from judicial decisions made in court cases.

Nurse Practice Act

The state statutory law that broadly defines the legal scope of nursing practice and protects the public.

Intentional Torts

Wilful acts violating another person's rights, including assault, battery, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, and fraud.

False Imprisonment

An intentional tort involving unjustified retention or prevention of movement without authorization (such as applying restraints without proper authorization).

Negligence

An unintentional tort defined as the failure to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances.

Malpractice

Professional negligence committed by a licensed practitioner failing to adhere to professional standards of care.

Four Elements of Liability

The four required legal elements in a malpractice claim: duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Informed Consent

Voluntary permission given by a competent patient after receiving adequate disclosure about procedural risks, benefits, and alternatives.

Intrapersonal Communication

Communication within oneself (self-talk), such as mentally reviewing safety checks before giving a medication.

Interpersonal Communication

Direct communication occurring between two or more people.

Orientation Phase

The initial phase of the therapeutic relationship where the nurse introduces self, establishes rapport and boundaries, explains confidentiality, identifies needs, and agrees on goals.

Working Phase

The active phase of the therapeutic relationship focused on gathering data, delivering care and teaching, and practicing coping skills.

Termination Phase

The final phase of the therapeutic relationship where progress toward goals is summarized and the relationship is formally concluded.

Assertive Communication

Clear, calm, and respectful communication that uses concise 'I' statements to express concerns directly and advocate for patient safety without violating others' rights.

SBAR

A structured communication framework consisting of Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation used for clear handoffs and safety escalations.

Teach-Back Method

A communication verification technique where the nurse asks the patient to explain or demonstrate health information in their own words to confirm understanding.