Nursing Chapter 1

Study Notes

Nursing practice has become more independent in the last 50 years due to increased education, especially advanced practice roles like Nurse Practitioners (NPs). This has led to greater autonomy and a stronger focus on evidence-based practice.
Nursing's historical development emphasizes patient advocacy, holistic care, and ethical conduct, establishing nurses as vital members of the healthcare team with specialized skills.
Distinct pathways for nursing practice include Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Associate Degree Nurses (ADNs), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSNs), and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).
Different levels of nursing education and scope of practice exist – CNA (entry-level supervision by RNs), LPN (one-year schooling), RN (assessing, monitoring, and treating patients), ASN (Associates degree for RNs), BSN (comprehensive nursing roles), and NP (masters or doctoral degree plus licensed).
Roles and responsibilities of RNs encompass patient assessment, recording of medical history, preparing patients for procedures, administering medications, monitoring side effects, and more.
Professional nursing organizations establish standards of nursing practice, provide education, advocate for policies, and improve patient care.
Key theories in nursing practice include Florence Nightingale's environmental theory, which emphasizes factors like fresh air, pure water, cleanliness, and effective drainage for optimal health.

The chain of infection has six components: infectious agent, reservoir, portal of exit, mode of transmission, portal of entry, and susceptible host.
Infection transmission occurs through various modes: vehicle, direct, indirect, vector, droplet, and airborne.
Factors increasing infection risk include weakened immune systems, invasive procedures, open wounds, long hospital stays, improper hygiene, overuse of antibiotics, shared equipment, and high-risk patient areas.
Healthcare personnel and agencies play a critical role in infection control through hand hygiene, PPE usage, patient isolation, and adherence to standard/transmission-based precautions.
Caregivers can improve their safety and decrease transmission by practicing good hand hygiene, wearing appropriate PPE, following respiratory hygiene, disinfecting surfaces, and using isolation precautions according to protocols.

The body's normal resistance to infection includes physical barriers (skin, mucous membranes), innate immune cells (neutrophils, macrophages), the complement system, and the adaptive immune system (B cells, T cells).

Chapter 17: Factors affecting safety include environmental hazards, individual factors (patient acuity, communication breakdown etc), and poor safety culture.
Chapter 24: Factors affecting personal hygiene include cultural practices, socioeconomic status, and developmental level.
Chapter 25: Normal functions of the musculoskeletal system and movement include the factors affecting mobility (age, disease, environment).
Chapter 25: Impact of immobility on the body encompasses many areas, both physiological (cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal) and psychological.
Chapter 25: Proper self-care involves proper hygiene (bathing, perineal care etc).
Chapter 25: Self-care assessment includes subjective reports, observation of daily activities, physical appearance, hygiene, nutritional intake, sleep.

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