CHAPTER 1: HOW NURSES THINK Flashcards
full spectrum nursing
nurses uses their minds and their hands to improve the clients comfort and condition
epidemiology
study of the distribution and origin of disease
nosocomial infection
an infection associated with a healthcare facility and now more commonly called health-care associated infection
clinical judgment
involves observing, comparing, contrasting and evaluating the clients condition to determine whether the change has occurred
critical thinking
is a reflective thinking process that involves collecting information, annealing the adequacy the accuracy of the information, and carefully considering options for action
problem solving
nurses consider an issue and attempt to find a satisfactory solution to achieve the best outcomes
profession
criteria:
the knowledge of the group must be based on technical and scientific knowledge
the knowledge and competence of members of the group must be evaluated by a community of peers
the group must have a service orientation and code of ethics
discipline
a profession must have a domain of knowledge that has both theoretical and practical boundries
continuing knowledge
is a professional strategy to keep up with current clinical knowledge
in-serive education
are offered at work sites, they might focus on the use of new equipment or the introduction of new policies
socialization
is the knowledge gained from direct experience, observation in the real world and informal discussion with peers and colleagues
nurse practice acts
laws that regulate nursing practice
standards of practice
standards provide a means by which a profession clearly describes the focus of its activities, the recipients of service and the responsibilities for which its partitioners are accountable
direct care
involves personal interaction between the nurse and clients
ex:giving medication, dressing a wound, or teaching a client about medicine or care
indirect care
when nurses work on behalf of an individual, group, family or community to improve their health status
ex: restocking the code blue cart or ordering unit supplies
health
a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity
health promotion
activities foster the highest well-being of the recipient of the activities
illness prevention
focuses on avoidance of disease, infection and other comorbidities
health restoration
foster a return to health for those already ill
hospitals
provide services to patients who require around the clock nursing care
extended care facilities
provide care for clients of an extended period of tine usually longer than a month
skilled care
services of trained professionals that are needed for a limited period of time after an injury or illness
custodial care
help with activities of daily living: bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, etc
nursing home
provides custodial are for people who cannot live on their own but are not sick enough to require hospitalization
