NSG 122 Nursing Fundamentals HESI Exam 1 Study Guide: Key Concepts & Tips
|2026 Latest Update with Complete Solution-Herzing
Chapter 1: Nursing Today
Potter: Fundamentals of Nursing, 11th Edition | Pages 1–14
✅ I. Definition & Scope of Nursing
• Definition (ANA, ICN):
o ANA: Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and
abilities; prevention of illness and injury; and advocacy in the care of individuals,
families, communities, and populations.
• Nursing as both an art and a science:
o Art: Compassion, caring, communication.
o Science: Clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, critical thinking.
◆ HESI Tip: Know the ANA definition. Questions often test understanding of holistic care
and patient-centeredness.
✅ II. Professional Roles of the Nurse
• Caregiver
• Advocate
• Educator
• Communicator
• Manager
• Autonomy and Accountability (essential characteristics)
◆ HESI Tip: Role identification is common on HESI exams—match the role to a clinical
scenario (e.g., advocating for a patient’s safety = Advocate).
✅ III. Career Opportunities in Nursing
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) roles:
o Nurse Practitioner (NP)
o Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
o Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
o Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Other roles: Nurse educator, nurse administrator, nurse researcher.
◆ HESI Tip: Know APRN specialties and which require a master’s or doctorate.
✅ IV. Historical Influences
• Florence Nightingale:
o First epidemiologist; linked sanitation to outcomes.
o Established first nursing school (St. Thomas’ Hospital).
o Introduced hand hygiene, evidence-based care.
• Clara Barton – Founded the American Red Cross.
• Mary Mahoney – First professionally trained African-American nurse.
• Lillian Wald & Mary Brewster – Founded community-based nursing.
,◆ HESI Tip: Matching nurse leaders to contributions is common. Study their historical roles in
health reform, education, and diversity.
✅ V. Education Pathways
• RN Licensure:
o Diploma programs
o Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
o Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Graduate Programs: MSN, DNP, PhD
◆ HESI Tip: Know the differences in scope and academic focus between ADN and BSN.
✅ VI. Nursing Practice Acts (NPA)
• Governed by State Boards of Nursing.
• Define scope of practice and protect public health.
• Include licensure and disciplinary processes.
◆ HESI Tip: NPAs vary by state—a correct answer usually includes “regulated at the state
level.”
✅ VII. Standards of Professional Practice
• Published by the American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Includes:
o Standards of Practice (ADPIE + outcome identification)
o Standards of Professional Performance (ethics, education, quality, leadership)
◆ HESI Tip: Focus on ADPIE and ethical obligations—HESI often tests the process of care.
✅ VIII. Trends Influencing Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
• Quality & Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
• Health Care Reform
• Aging Population
• Technology & Informatics
• Cultural Competence & Diversity
◆ HESI Tip: Know how cultural competence, health disparities, and technology influence
nursing care.
✅ IX. Professional Organizations
• ANA, NLN, AACN, NSNA, ICN
• Promote education, ethics, and standards
◆ HESI Tip: Expect questions on the purpose of ANA and NSNA (student association).
_]H Chapter 1: Study Guide (pp. 16-25)
,Systems Used for Drug Administration & Temperature Conversion
🔹 1. Measurement Systems in Drug Administration
Nurses must understand and convert between three primary measurement systems used in
medication administration:
➤ Metric System (most commonly used in clinical settings)
• Weight: gram (g), milligram (mg), microgram (mcg)
• Volume: liter (L), milliliter (mL)
• Length: meter (m), centimeter (cm), millimeter (mm)
Common Conversions:
• 1 g = 1,000 mg
• 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
• 1 L = 1,000 mL
➤ Apothecary System (older, less commonly used)
• Grain (gr), dram (dr), ounce (oz)
• Example: 1 gr ≈ 60 or 65 mg (based on context)
➤ Household System
• Common in patient education for at-home care.
• Teaspoon (tsp), tablespoon (Tbsp), cup
Conversions:
• 1 tsp = 5 mL
• 1 Tbsp = 15 mL
• 1 oz = 30 mL
• 1 cup = 8 oz = 240 mL
◆ Note: Use caution when interpreting household measurements due to variability in utensils.
🔹 2. Rounding Rules
• Round to nearest tenth for most adult dosages (unless directed otherwise).
• Round to nearest hundredth for pediatric or critical care doses.
• Never round until the final step of your calculation.
🔹 3. Temperature Conversions
Nurses must often convert between Fahrenheit (°F) and Celsius (°C) for documentation or
international practice.
Formulas:
• °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
• °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Quick Reference Examples:
• 98.6°F = 37°C (normal body temp)
• 100.4°F = 38°C (fever)
• 104°F = 40°C (high fever)
, 🔹 4. Safe Medication Practices
• Always label conversions and double-check units before administration.
• Convert household measurements to metric when documenting in a clinical setting.
• Understand patient backgrounds—some populations may report temps or medications
using non-metric systems.
🔹 Practice Tip
³. You’re ordered to give 2 tsp of a medication. How many mL is that?
⬛ 2 tsp × 5 mL = 10 mL
📘 Chapter 3: Study Guide (pp. 36-56)
🏷️ Interpretation of Drug Labels
Understanding drug labels is crucial for accurate medication administration. Key components
include:
1. Brand (Trade) Name: The commercial name given by the manufacturer, typically in
large, bold letters.
2. Generic Name: The chemical name of the drug, usually printed below the brand name in
smaller letters.
3. Dosage Strength: The amount of active ingredient per unit (e.g., 500 mg per tablet).
4. Drug Form: The physical form of the medication (e.g., tablet, capsule, liquid).
5. Expiration Date: Indicates the last date the drug is considered effective and safe to use.
6. Lot Number: A unique identifier for a specific batch of medication, useful in case of
recalls.
7. Manufacturer: The company that produces the medication
Example: A label might read:
• Brand Name: Tylenol
• Generic Name: Acetaminophen
• Dosage: 500 mg per tablet
• Form: Tablet
• Expiration Date: 12/2025
• Lot Number: A12345
• Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
‘¸•) Drug Orders
A complete drug order should include:
• Patient's Full Name
• Date and Time of Order
• Medication Name
• Dosage
• Route of Administration (e.g., oral, intravenous)
• Frequency and Time of Administration
• Prescriber's Signature
|2026 Latest Update with Complete Solution-Herzing
Chapter 1: Nursing Today
Potter: Fundamentals of Nursing, 11th Edition | Pages 1–14
✅ I. Definition & Scope of Nursing
• Definition (ANA, ICN):
o ANA: Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and
abilities; prevention of illness and injury; and advocacy in the care of individuals,
families, communities, and populations.
• Nursing as both an art and a science:
o Art: Compassion, caring, communication.
o Science: Clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, critical thinking.
◆ HESI Tip: Know the ANA definition. Questions often test understanding of holistic care
and patient-centeredness.
✅ II. Professional Roles of the Nurse
• Caregiver
• Advocate
• Educator
• Communicator
• Manager
• Autonomy and Accountability (essential characteristics)
◆ HESI Tip: Role identification is common on HESI exams—match the role to a clinical
scenario (e.g., advocating for a patient’s safety = Advocate).
✅ III. Career Opportunities in Nursing
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) roles:
o Nurse Practitioner (NP)
o Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
o Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
o Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Other roles: Nurse educator, nurse administrator, nurse researcher.
◆ HESI Tip: Know APRN specialties and which require a master’s or doctorate.
✅ IV. Historical Influences
• Florence Nightingale:
o First epidemiologist; linked sanitation to outcomes.
o Established first nursing school (St. Thomas’ Hospital).
o Introduced hand hygiene, evidence-based care.
• Clara Barton – Founded the American Red Cross.
• Mary Mahoney – First professionally trained African-American nurse.
• Lillian Wald & Mary Brewster – Founded community-based nursing.
,◆ HESI Tip: Matching nurse leaders to contributions is common. Study their historical roles in
health reform, education, and diversity.
✅ V. Education Pathways
• RN Licensure:
o Diploma programs
o Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
o Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Graduate Programs: MSN, DNP, PhD
◆ HESI Tip: Know the differences in scope and academic focus between ADN and BSN.
✅ VI. Nursing Practice Acts (NPA)
• Governed by State Boards of Nursing.
• Define scope of practice and protect public health.
• Include licensure and disciplinary processes.
◆ HESI Tip: NPAs vary by state—a correct answer usually includes “regulated at the state
level.”
✅ VII. Standards of Professional Practice
• Published by the American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Includes:
o Standards of Practice (ADPIE + outcome identification)
o Standards of Professional Performance (ethics, education, quality, leadership)
◆ HESI Tip: Focus on ADPIE and ethical obligations—HESI often tests the process of care.
✅ VIII. Trends Influencing Nursing
• Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
• Quality & Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
• Health Care Reform
• Aging Population
• Technology & Informatics
• Cultural Competence & Diversity
◆ HESI Tip: Know how cultural competence, health disparities, and technology influence
nursing care.
✅ IX. Professional Organizations
• ANA, NLN, AACN, NSNA, ICN
• Promote education, ethics, and standards
◆ HESI Tip: Expect questions on the purpose of ANA and NSNA (student association).
_]H Chapter 1: Study Guide (pp. 16-25)
,Systems Used for Drug Administration & Temperature Conversion
🔹 1. Measurement Systems in Drug Administration
Nurses must understand and convert between three primary measurement systems used in
medication administration:
➤ Metric System (most commonly used in clinical settings)
• Weight: gram (g), milligram (mg), microgram (mcg)
• Volume: liter (L), milliliter (mL)
• Length: meter (m), centimeter (cm), millimeter (mm)
Common Conversions:
• 1 g = 1,000 mg
• 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
• 1 L = 1,000 mL
➤ Apothecary System (older, less commonly used)
• Grain (gr), dram (dr), ounce (oz)
• Example: 1 gr ≈ 60 or 65 mg (based on context)
➤ Household System
• Common in patient education for at-home care.
• Teaspoon (tsp), tablespoon (Tbsp), cup
Conversions:
• 1 tsp = 5 mL
• 1 Tbsp = 15 mL
• 1 oz = 30 mL
• 1 cup = 8 oz = 240 mL
◆ Note: Use caution when interpreting household measurements due to variability in utensils.
🔹 2. Rounding Rules
• Round to nearest tenth for most adult dosages (unless directed otherwise).
• Round to nearest hundredth for pediatric or critical care doses.
• Never round until the final step of your calculation.
🔹 3. Temperature Conversions
Nurses must often convert between Fahrenheit (°F) and Celsius (°C) for documentation or
international practice.
Formulas:
• °F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
• °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9
Quick Reference Examples:
• 98.6°F = 37°C (normal body temp)
• 100.4°F = 38°C (fever)
• 104°F = 40°C (high fever)
, 🔹 4. Safe Medication Practices
• Always label conversions and double-check units before administration.
• Convert household measurements to metric when documenting in a clinical setting.
• Understand patient backgrounds—some populations may report temps or medications
using non-metric systems.
🔹 Practice Tip
³. You’re ordered to give 2 tsp of a medication. How many mL is that?
⬛ 2 tsp × 5 mL = 10 mL
📘 Chapter 3: Study Guide (pp. 36-56)
🏷️ Interpretation of Drug Labels
Understanding drug labels is crucial for accurate medication administration. Key components
include:
1. Brand (Trade) Name: The commercial name given by the manufacturer, typically in
large, bold letters.
2. Generic Name: The chemical name of the drug, usually printed below the brand name in
smaller letters.
3. Dosage Strength: The amount of active ingredient per unit (e.g., 500 mg per tablet).
4. Drug Form: The physical form of the medication (e.g., tablet, capsule, liquid).
5. Expiration Date: Indicates the last date the drug is considered effective and safe to use.
6. Lot Number: A unique identifier for a specific batch of medication, useful in case of
recalls.
7. Manufacturer: The company that produces the medication
Example: A label might read:
• Brand Name: Tylenol
• Generic Name: Acetaminophen
• Dosage: 500 mg per tablet
• Form: Tablet
• Expiration Date: 12/2025
• Lot Number: A12345
• Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
‘¸•) Drug Orders
A complete drug order should include:
• Patient's Full Name
• Date and Time of Order
• Medication Name
• Dosage
• Route of Administration (e.g., oral, intravenous)
• Frequency and Time of Administration
• Prescriber's Signature
