31-543-301Nursing Fundamentals
Course Information
Description
This course focuses on basic nursing concepts to provide evidenced-based care to diverse patient populations across the lifespan. Current and historical issues impacting nursing will be explored within the scope of nursing practice. The nursing process will be introduced as a framework for organizing the care of patients
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies
  1. Differentiate scopes of practice within the nursing profession
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    distinguish among the different levels of nursing education
    specify the ethical and legal boundaries of the student nurse as presented in the Code of Ethics and the Nurse Practice Act
    detail responsibility for maintaining client confidentiality
    describe the contribution of all members of the healthcare team
    identify the role of evidence-based practice in nursing
    identify the concept of quality in client care

  2. Investigate elements of a safe care environment
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    identify safety considerations for adults of all ages
    describe industry standards and regulations regarding microbiological, physical, and environmental safety
    differentiate safety considerations among diverse clients
    apply decision making related to measures to minimize use of restraints

  3. Use professional communication techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    use therapeutic communication techniques
    identify strategies to adapt communication to the client, audience, and situation
    verify information sources are reliable and current
    use correct medical terminology and abbreviations
    describe ways to report client information
    describe legal and standard documentation guidelines

  4. Identify principles of the nursing process, critical thinking, and clinical judgement
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    follow the steps in the nursing process in the correct order
    describe components of a client-centered plan of care
    differentiate priorities of client care

  5. Adapt nursing practice to meet the needs of diverse clients in a variety of settings
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    adapt care considering all aspects of diversity
    identify principles of protecting client dignity
    identify principles of holistic, client-centered care
    identify strategies to advocate for clients
    identify principles of religion and spirituality

  6. Examine nursing care for clients with sleep, rest, and mobility alterations
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    identify factors putting clients at risk for sleep, rest, and mobility problems
    identify cues related to sleep, rest, and mobility problems
    identify non-pharmacological interventions to promote sleep and rest
    identify the effects of immobility on body systems
    select the nursing interventions to prevent complications of immobility
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with sleep, rest, and mobility alterations

  7. Examine nursing care for clients with comfort alterations
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    identify cues related to alteration in comfort across the lifespan
    identify standards of care for the client experiencing pain
    identify non-pharmacologic interventions to increase client comfort
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with comfort alterations

  8. Examine nursing care for clients with nutritional, fluid, and electrolyte disturbances
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    describe risk factors for nutrition, fluid, and electrolyte disturbances
    identify cues related to nutrition, and fluid/electrolyte balance
    identify diagnostic tests and lab values indicative of a disturbance in nutrition, fluid, and electrolyte disturbances
    identify essential nutrients
    identify supplements to enhance nutrition alterations
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with an alteration in nutrition and fluid and electrolyte disturbances

  9. Examine nursing care for clients with commonly occurring elimination
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    describe risk factors for urinary and bowel elimination
    identify cues related to alterations in elimination across the lifespan
    identify diagnostic tests indicative of disturbances in urinary and bowel elimination
    identify non-pharmacologic measures to promote urinary and bowel elimination
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with an alteration in urinary and bowel elimination

  10. Examine nursing care for clients with integumentary disorders
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    describe risk factors for integumentary disorders
    identify cues related to alterations in integumentary system across the lifespan
    differentiate findings among diverse clients
    identify interventions to preserve skin integrity
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with integumentary disorders

  11. Examine nursing care for clients with infection
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    describe risk factors for infection
    identify cues related to infection across the lifespan
    identify practices that reduce the risk of infection transmission
    identify basic diagnostic tests related to infection
    differentiate factors related to infection among diverse clients
    identify industry standards for isolation procedures
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with an infection

  12. Examine nursing care for clients with cognitive and sensory impairments
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    identify risk factors in cognition or sensory impairments
    identify cues related to cognitive and sensory impairments across the lifespan
    identify interventions to support diverse clients (individual, family, or group) with cognitive or sensory impairment
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with cognitive and sensory impairments

  13. Examine nursing care for clients (individual, family, or group) experiencing grief and loss
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    identify anticipated responses to grief and loss across the lifespan
    identify grief and loss resources
    identify ethical/legal considerations related to end of life decisions
    identify the nursing responsibilities associated with end of life and postmortem care
    contribute to a plan of care to support client (individual, family, or group) through grief and loss

  14. Examine nursing care for clients with oxygenation alterations
    Assessment Strategies
    oral, written or performance assessment
    Criteria
    identify risk factors in oxygenation alterations across the lifespan
    identify cues related to alterations in oxygenation
    identify safety considerations related to care of oxygenation alterations
    identify interventions to plan care for client with oxygenation alterations
    identify diagnostic tests and lab values related to oxygenation alterations
    contribute to a plan of care for clients with oxygenation alterations