Uganda Nurses and Midwives Comprehensive Examination Syllabus Study Notes

General Principles in Patient Care

  • Ethics in Nursing Care: This encompasses the foundational moral principles that guide nursing practice, ensuring respect for human dignity and the provision of compassionate care.
  • Principles of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC): Standard protocols designed to prevent the spread of pathogens within healthcare settings, including hand hygiene, sterilization, and environmental cleaning.
  • Body Mechanics: The study of proper body movement and posture to prevent injury to both the nurse and the patient during physical activities like lifting and repositioning.
  • Bed Making: Systematic procedures for preparing various types of hospital beds (e.g., occupied, unoccupied, surgical) to ensure patient comfort and hygiene.
  • Vital Observations (Vital Signs): The clinical monitoring and recording of critical physiological parameters, typically including:
    • Blood pressure
    • Pulse rate
    • Respiration rate
    • Body temperature
  • Bed Bath: The procedure for maintaining skin integrity and hygiene for bedridden patients through assisted or complete cleaning in bed.
  • Oral Care / Mouth Care: Methods for maintaining the hygiene of the oral cavity to prevent infections such as stomatitis or gingivitis.
  • Specific Medical Procedures:
    • Tepid Sponging: The use of lukewarm water to reduce high body temperature in febrile patients.
    • Enemata: The administration of fluids into the rectum and colon for cleansing, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes.
  • Care and Treatment of Pressure Areas: Prevention and management of decubitus ulcers (pressure sores) through regular repositioning, skin assessment, and the use of specialized support surfaces.
  • Patient Elimination Care: Procedures for performing bladder and bowel care for patients unable to manage independently.
  • Patient Nutrition: Principles for carrying out the adequate feeding of patients to meet their metabolic requirements.

Paper 1: Anatomy and Physiology

  • Terminology and Body Organization:
    • Introduction to terms used in Anatomy and Physiology.
    • Evaluation of the organizational levels of the human body.
  • Chemical Level of Organization:
    • Study of atoms, molecules, and compounds as the basic building blocks of life.
  • Cellular Biology:
    • Cell Structure and Function: Examination of organelles, cytoplasm, and the cell membrane.
  • Histology:
    • Tissue Structure and Function: Detailed study of epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.
  • Hematology:
    • Blood and its Composition: Analysis of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes).
  • Organ Systems:
    • Cardiovascular System: Anatomy and physiology of the heart and blood vessels.
    • Lymphatic System: Study of lymph nodes, vessels, and immune defense mechanisms.
    • Digestive System: The process of ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination.
    • Skeletal System: The framework of bones and joints providing structure and protection.
    • Muscular System: The study of skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles and their roles in movement.

Paper 2: Foundations of Nursing I and Computer Literacy

  • History and Ethics of Nursing:
    • History of Nursing: Evolution of the profession from early practices to modern standards.
    • Code of Conduct for Nurses: Ethical guidelines and professional behaviors expected of nursing staff.
    • Principles of Professional Ethics and Etiquette: Specific rules regarding manners and ethical decision-making in a clinical setting.
    • Patient’s Rights and Nurses’ Rights: Legal and ethical entitlements for both care recipients and healthcare providers.
    • Nursing and the Law: Legal frameworks, liability, and the relationship between healthcare practice and statutory requirements.
    • Nursing Standards and Qualities of a Nurse: The benchmarks for professional practice and the personal characteristics essential for the role.
  • Clinical Foundation Skills:
    • General Principles and Rules of all Nursing Procedures: Universal guidelines governing the execution of clinical tasks.
    • Hospital Economy: Management of resources, supplies, and time within the hospital setting to ensure efficiency.
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The proper selection and use of gloves, masks, gowns, and eyewear.
  • Environmental Management and Safety:
    • Routine and Weekly Cleaning of the Ward: Protocols for daily maintenance and intensive deep-cleaning of healthcare environments.
    • Waste Management and Disposal: Proper handling of general and medical waste.
    • Isolation of Infectious Patients: Techniques and protocols for preventing cross-contamination from patients with communicable diseases.
    • Causes of Infection: Understanding the etiology of healthcare-associated infections.
    • Medical Waste Disposal and Management: Specific protocols for hazardous, biological, and sharps waste.
    • Cleaning Methods: Various techniques used for sanitization and disinfection.
  • First Aid:
    • Principles of First Aid: Fundamental rules for immediate care of the injured or ill.
    • Components of a First Aid Kit: Mandatory items required for emergency response.
    • Life Threatening Conditions: Identification and management of critical emergencies.
    • Personal Protection During First Aid: Ensuring the safety of the responder.
    • First Aid in Medical Emergencies: Protocols for non-traumatic medical crises.
    • Injuries and Trauma: Specific management for physical wounds, fractures, and shock.
  • Computer Literacy: Concepts to be assessed at the school (UNM level).

Paper 3: Personal and Communal Health and Microbiology

  • Concepts of Microbiology:
    • Classification and Types of Microorganisms: Categorization into bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
    • Pathogenic Microorganisms: Germs that cause disease in hosts.
    • Normal Flora: Beneficial or commensal microorganisms that naturally inhabit the human body.
    • Characteristics and Mode of Spread: How disease-causing microorganisms reproduce and transmit between hosts.
    • Pathological Effects: The damage or changes microorganisms cause to body tissues.
    • Simple Laboratory Tests: Basic microbiological assessments used for identification.
    • Infection Prevention and Control: Applied microbiology in clinical safety.
  • Immunology:
    • Introduction to Immunity: Understanding the body's defense mechanisms.
    • Antibodies: The role of immunoglobulins in neutralizing pathogens.
    • Principles of Immunization: The science and practice of vaccine administration.
  • Personal and Communal Health:
    • Concepts and Introduction: Overview of health at individual and population levels.
    • Determinants of Health: Socio-economic, environmental, and genetic factors influencing well-being.
    • Dimensions of Health: Physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects.
    • Personal Hygiene:
    • Cleanliness of skin and its appendages (hair, nails).
    • Cleanliness of the inside of the body (internal physiological health).
    • Special groups in personal hygiene (care for elderly, children, etc.).
    • Selection and maintenance of clothing and footwear.
  • Communicable Diseases:
    • Concepts in Communicable Diseases: Understanding contagious conditions.
    • Disease Causation and Prevention: The etiology and prophylactic measures for infectious diseases.
    • Disease Transmission Cycle: The process involving the agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.

Institutional Information

  • Accreditation Body: Uganda Nurses and Midwives (UNM).
  • Location: P.O. Box 251, Kampala.