Nursing Process Overview

Nursing

• Nursing is a profession focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities.
• Nursing encompasses a wide range of activities, including assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care.
• Nurses promote health, prevent illness, and restore health and well-being.
• Nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Specialized areas within nursing include critical care, pediatrics, and geriatrics.

Nursing Process

• The nursing process is a systematic problem-solving approach in nursing.
• It follows a cyclical process of assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Assessment involves gathering information about the patient's health.
• Diagnosis identifies patient health problems.
• Planning develops a care plan to address identified problems.
• Implementation carries out the planned interventions.
• Evaluation assesses the efficacy of care.
• The nursing process is dynamic and iterative, allowing adjustments based on ongoing assessments and evaluation.

Body Mechanics

• Body mechanics involve coordinated muscle, bone, and joint actions for balance and efficient movement.
• Proper body mechanics prevent injury in nurses and patients.
• Principles include using a wide base of support, large muscle groups, maintaining a straight back, and bending from knees, not waist.
• Ergonomic principles in posture and lifting minimize musculoskeletal strain.

Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking in nursing involves systematically analyzing and evaluating patient information and situations for sound conclusions.
• Key components include questioning assumptions and biases, exploring options and consequences, and making judgments based on evidence.
• Critical thinking enables effective assessment, communication, and problem-solving by nurses.
• Nurses prioritize care, adapt to changing situations, and deliver optimal patient care using critical thinking.

Assistive Devices

• Assistive devices aid in patient care and movement.
• Examples include walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, transfer boards, lift sheets, and specialized equipment for specific conditions.
• Appropriate assistive devices ensure patient safety and comfort.
• Proper training on assistive device usage guarantees correct application and safety.

Transferring and Moving Patients

• Transferring and moving patients needs careful planning, patient assessment, and appropriate assistive devices.
• Factors like patient condition, mobility limitations, and injury risks are considered.
• Methods include mechanical lifts, transfer boards, and team approaches.
• Safety precautions emphasize minimizing movement smoothly and controlled.
• Nurses assess patient assisting ability and ensure patient positioning for dignity.
• Proper lifting and transfer technique protect both patients and healthcare providers.