PN 106: Foundation of Nursing: Fundamentals

PN 106: Foundation of Nursing: Fundamentals

PN 106: Foundation of Nursing: Fundamentals is an introductory course that provides nursing students with the basic knowledge and skills required to deliver safe and effective patient care. The course covers a broad range of topics, including nursing theories, communication skills, patient assessment, and infection control. This article will provide a detailed overview of each topic covered in the course, along with its importance in nursing practice.

Nursing Theories

Nursing theories provide a framework for understanding the nature of nursing practice and its role in healthcare. In PN 106, students are introduced to various nursing theories, including the Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory, the Roy Adaptation Model, and the Watson’s Caring Theory.

Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory suggests that individuals have a natural inclination to care for themselves, but in some situations, they require assistance from others to meet their self-care needs. In nursing practice, this theory helps nurses to identify when patients need assistance with activities of daily living and to provide appropriate care.

The Roy Adaptation Model proposes that patients adapt to their environment to maintain their health and well-being. Nursing interventions are aimed at promoting patient adaptation and coping. This theory helps nurses to understand the patient’s perspective and to develop appropriate interventions to help them cope with their illness.

Watson’s Caring Theory emphasizes the importance of human connection in nursing practice. According to this theory, caring is the foundation of nursing practice, and nurses should provide care that is holistic, individualized, and compassionate. This theory helps nurses to provide care that is centered on the patient’s needs and to establish a therapeutic relationship with patients.

Communication Skills

Effective communication is critical to nursing practice, as it is essential for building trust and rapport with patients, families, and other healthcare providers. PN 106 covers communication skills, including verbal and nonverbal communication, active listening, and effective documentation.

Verbal communication involves using words to convey a message. In nursing practice, clear and concise communication is essential to ensure that patients understand their diagnosis, treatment plan, and medications. Nonverbal communication involves the use of body language, gestures, and facial expressions to convey a message. In nursing practice, nonverbal communication can help to build rapport with patients and to establish a therapeutic relationship.

Active listening involves fully concentrating on what the patient is saying and responding appropriately. In nursing practice, active listening helps to establish trust and understanding with patients and to identify their needs and concerns. Effective documentation involves accurately recording patient information, including their medical history, medications, and treatment plan. In nursing practice, effective documentation helps to ensure that patient information is available to all healthcare providers involved in their care.

Patient Assessment

Patient assessment is a crucial skill that every nurse must possess. In PN 106, students learn how to conduct a comprehensive patient assessment, including physical, psychological, and social assessment. They learn how to obtain accurate patient data, including medical history, medications, and allergies. Students also learn how to use assessment tools such as vital signs, pain scales, and neurological assessments.

Subjective data is information provided by the patient, including their symptoms, concerns, and medical history. Objective data is information that can be observed or measured, including vital signs, physical examination findings, and laboratory results. In nursing practice, both subjective and objective data are used to develop a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s health status and to develop a care plan.

Vital signs, including temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate, provide critical information about the patient’s physiological status. In nursing practice, vital signs are routinely monitored to identify changes in the patient’s condition and to guide the development of appropriate interventions.

Pharmacology

Pharmacology is the study of drugs and their effects on the body. In PN 106, students learn about the different classes of drugs, their uses, and side effects. They learn how to calculate drug dosages and administer medications safely. Students also learn about drug interactions and contraindications.

Infection Control

Infection control is an essential component of nursing practice. In PN 106, students learn about the principles of infection control, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, and isolation precautions. They learn about the different types of infections, their causes, and how to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.

Documentation

Documentation is a critical aspect of nursing practice. In PN 106, students learn about the importance of accurate and timely documentation. They learn how to document patient care, including assessments, interventions, and evaluations. Students also learn about legal and ethical considerations in documentation.

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Course Objectives

The objectives of PN 106: Foundation of Nursing: Fundamentals are to provide students with a foundational knowledge of nursing theory, patient assessment, communication, pharmacology, infection control, and documentation. The course aims to prepare students for clinical practice by providing them with the knowledge and skills required to provide safe and effective care to patients. The course objectives include:

1. To provide students with an understanding of the history of nursing and the evolution of nursing education and practice.
2. To introduce students to nursing theory and the nursing process.
3. To teach students how to conduct a comprehensive patient assessment, including physical, psychological, and social assessment.

4. To teach students effective communication strategies, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, empathy, and cultural competence.
5. To provide students with an understanding of pharmacology, including the different classes of drugs, their uses, and side effects.
6. To teach students how to administer medications safely, including calculating dosages and monitoring for drug interactions and contraindications.
7. To provide students with an understanding of infection control principles, including hand hygiene, standard precautions, and isolation precautions.
8. To teach students about the different types of infections, their causes, and how to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
9. To teach students about the importance of accurate and timely documentation, including legal and ethical considerations.

Course Outcomes

The outcomes of PN 106: Foundation of Nursing: Fundamentals are to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to provide safe and effective care to patients. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of nursing and the evolution of nursing education and practice.
2. Apply nursing theory and the nursing process in the provision of patient care.
3. Conduct a comprehensive patient assessment, including physical, psychological, and social assessment.
4. Communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare professionals.
5. Administer medications safely, including calculating dosages and monitoring for drug interactions and contraindications.
6. Apply infection control principles to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
7. Document patient care accurately and timely, including legal and ethical considerations.

Conclusion

PN 106: Foundation of Nursing: Fundamentals is an essential course that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the nursing profession. The course covers topics such as the history of nursing, nursing theory, patient assessment, communication, pharmacology, infection control, and documentation. The course objectives are to prepare students for clinical practice by providing them with the knowledge and skills required to provide safe and effective care to patients. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of nursing, apply nursing theory and the nursing process in the provision of patient care, conduct a comprehensive patient assessment, communicate effectively, administer medications safely, apply infection control principles, and document patient care accurately and timely. PN 106 is an essential foundation course that prepares students for the nursing profession and is a crucial component of nursing education.

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