FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING –
QUICK STUDY NOTES
Prepared by Jedidah Macharia
“Caring is the essence of nursing.”
Introduction
This document contains comprehensive Fundamentals of Nursing notes designed for quick
study and exam revision. It covers essential nursing concepts, processes, patient care
practices, ethical and legal considerations, and professional responsibilities. The notes are
structured for easy understanding, including summary tables and practice questions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Nursing
2. Nursing Process
3. Basic Human Needs (Maslow’s Hierarchy)
4. Communication in Nursing
5. Patient Admission & Discharge
6. Infection Prevention & Control
7. Medication Administration
8. Nursing Ethics & Legal Issues
9. First Aid & Emergency Nursing
10. Nutrition in Nursing
11. Elimination Needs
12. Rest, Sleep & Comfort
13. Vital Signs
14. Documentation & Reporting
15. Holistic & Community Nursing
, 16. References
Introduction to Nursing
Definition:
Nursing is the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, sick or well, in
all settings. It involves promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of the ill, disabled,
and dying.
Roles of Nurses: Caregiver, Educator, Advocate, Communicator, Leader, Researcher
Quick Table – Nursing Functions:
Function Description
Caregiver Provides direct patient care
Educator Teaches patients and families
Advocate Protects patient rights
Practice Q&A:
Q: Name three major roles of a nurse.
A: Caregiver, Educator, Advocate.
Nursing Process
Definition: The nursing process is a systematic method used by nurses to plan and provide
care.
Steps of the Nursing Process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
Summary Table – Nursing Process Steps:
Step Description
Assessment Collect and organize patient data
Diagnosis Determine patient needs and problems
Planning Establish care goals and interventions
Implementation Execute nursing interventions
Evaluation Assess if goals were met and modify plan
Practice Q&A:
Q: What is the purpose of the evaluation step in the nursing process?
A: To determine if the nursing goals have been achieved and if care needs to be modified.
Basic Human Needs (Maslow’s Hierarchy)
Definition: Basic human needs are requirements essential for human survival and well-
being. Maslow organized them into a hierarchy: Physiological, Safety, Love & Belonging,
Esteem, Self-actualization.
Quick Table – Maslow’s Hierarchy:
QUICK STUDY NOTES
Prepared by Jedidah Macharia
“Caring is the essence of nursing.”
Introduction
This document contains comprehensive Fundamentals of Nursing notes designed for quick
study and exam revision. It covers essential nursing concepts, processes, patient care
practices, ethical and legal considerations, and professional responsibilities. The notes are
structured for easy understanding, including summary tables and practice questions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Nursing
2. Nursing Process
3. Basic Human Needs (Maslow’s Hierarchy)
4. Communication in Nursing
5. Patient Admission & Discharge
6. Infection Prevention & Control
7. Medication Administration
8. Nursing Ethics & Legal Issues
9. First Aid & Emergency Nursing
10. Nutrition in Nursing
11. Elimination Needs
12. Rest, Sleep & Comfort
13. Vital Signs
14. Documentation & Reporting
15. Holistic & Community Nursing
, 16. References
Introduction to Nursing
Definition:
Nursing is the autonomous and collaborative care of individuals of all ages, sick or well, in
all settings. It involves promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of the ill, disabled,
and dying.
Roles of Nurses: Caregiver, Educator, Advocate, Communicator, Leader, Researcher
Quick Table – Nursing Functions:
Function Description
Caregiver Provides direct patient care
Educator Teaches patients and families
Advocate Protects patient rights
Practice Q&A:
Q: Name three major roles of a nurse.
A: Caregiver, Educator, Advocate.
Nursing Process
Definition: The nursing process is a systematic method used by nurses to plan and provide
care.
Steps of the Nursing Process: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
Summary Table – Nursing Process Steps:
Step Description
Assessment Collect and organize patient data
Diagnosis Determine patient needs and problems
Planning Establish care goals and interventions
Implementation Execute nursing interventions
Evaluation Assess if goals were met and modify plan
Practice Q&A:
Q: What is the purpose of the evaluation step in the nursing process?
A: To determine if the nursing goals have been achieved and if care needs to be modified.
Basic Human Needs (Maslow’s Hierarchy)
Definition: Basic human needs are requirements essential for human survival and well-
being. Maslow organized them into a hierarchy: Physiological, Safety, Love & Belonging,
Esteem, Self-actualization.
Quick Table – Maslow’s Hierarchy:
