Nursing Definitions and Concepts Quiz

The word "nurse" comes from the Latin word "nutrire", meaning "to suckle". This highlights the historical link between nursing and nurturing.

Nursing, historically, has always been about adapting to the needs of patients. This adaptability ensures that nurses provide the best possible care.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines nursing as protecting, promoting, and optimizing health, preventing illness, assisting suffering people, and advocating for individuals' care.

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) defines nursing as both independent care and collaborative work, focused on health promotion, illness prevention, and tending to the ill, disabled, and dying.

Florence Nightingale's definition of nursing emphasizes utilizing the patient's environment to aid in their recovery.

Virginia Henderson defined nursing as assisting individuals, sick or well, in activities that contribute to health. This includes helping individuals gain independence.

The American Nurses Association (ANA) establishes standards of practice for nurses, ensuring quality and consistency in nursing care.

Nurses must follow a code of ethics that guides their practice and ensures ethical conduct.

Aims to improve health and wellbeing through various approaches.

A crucial professional organization focused on improving the quality and safety of nursing education. They strive to create well-prepared, skilled, and diverse nurses.

A set of guiding principles that outline the roles, responsibilities, and actions that registered nurses should undertake in their practice.

A legal framework that governs nursing practice within a specific jurisdiction. It defines scope of practice, licensing requirements, and ethical guidelines.

A systematic approach to patient care that involves assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating interventions to achieve desired outcomes.

A process that involves using evidence-based research findings, clinical expertise, and patient values to make clinical decisions. It promotes the highest standard of care.

A formal set of rules and regulations created and enforced by government bodies to regulate behavior and maintain order.

Laws established by legislative bodies, such as Congress or state legislatures.

A civil wrong that results in harm to another person. It can be intentional or unintentional.

Unintentional harm caused by a healthcare professional due to negligence or carelessness.

A legal document that allows patients to express their wishes for end-of-life care.

A set of principles that guide professional behavior, emphasizing responsibility, accountability, and confidentiality.

The right to make your own choices regarding healthcare.

The process of explaining a procedure or treatment to a patient before they agree to it, ensuring they fully understand the risks and benefits.

A critical thinking process that involves analyzing and evaluating ethical dilemmas.

Concern for the well-being of others, respecting cultural differences, and treating everyone fairly.

Interventions that are unlikely to provide any benefit to the patient.

A concept encompassing the patient's overall well-being, including physical, emotional, and social aspects. It influences decisions regarding care interventions.

The allocation of healthcare resources, such as medication or equipment, in a way that prioritizes those with the greatest need or potential benefit.

The ability to access and share health information securely and ethically, governed by regulations such as HIPPA.

A situation where there is a shortage of qualified nurses, leading to increased workloads, burnout, and potential impact on patient care.

The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health through education, support, and access to resources.

A system of healthcare interventions aimed at preventing illness, detecting it early, or managing it effectively to improve patient outcomes.

A hierarchical model of human needs where basic physiological needs (survival) must be met before higher-level needs can be addressed.

The first step in the nursing process involves gathering information about the patient's condition, including their physical, emotional, and social needs. This data is collected through observation, interviews, and physical examinations.

After assessment, nurses analyze the data to identify the patient's health problems. This involves identifying the patient's strengths, weaknesses, and potential risks. It also involves identifying the patient's individual needs.

Based on the patient's assessment and diagnosis, nurses create a plan of care that includes specific interventions to address identified problems. This plan may include medication administration, education, and support for the patient and their family.

The implementation phase involves putting the planned interventions into action. This includes providing medication, performing procedures, educating the patient, and supporting their emotional needs.

The final step in the nursing process involves evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions. This involves monitoring the patient's progress, reassessing their condition, and adjusting the plan of care as needed.

The ability to use critical thinking skills to make informed judgments about patient care. This involves analyzing data, identifying problems, and developing solutions for the best patient outcomes.

The ability to question assumptions, consider multiple perspectives, and critically evaluate information. It's essential for nurses to use critical thinking to provide safe, effective, and individualized patient care.

Outcome identification helps to create a personalized care plan by focusing on each patient's unique needs and preferences.

Planning helps nurses prioritize a patient's most urgent needs, ensuring critical issues are addressed first.

Outcome identification provides measurable criteria, allowing nurses to track a patient's progress toward their health goals.

A well-documented care plan helps to protect nurses and healthcare facilities legally by showing that evidence-based care was delivered to the patient.

Planning promotes collaboration by encouraging communication and input from the nursing team, the patient, and other healthcare professionals.

Clear care plans improve communication among the healthcare team, the patient, and their family, ensuring everyone understands the patient's goals.

Outcome identification encourages the nurse to tailor interventions to meet the patient's specific goals, leading to better quality care.

Outcome identification helps nurses continuously address the patient's needs in a systematic way, contributing to better health outcomes.