Chabot College
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Nursing 55
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE
Catalog Description:
55 - Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
8 .5 Units
Introduction to fundamental concepts and practices in nursing care across the life span with emphasis on
later-life issues. Application of the nursing process to the care of adult clients with the following chronic
disorders: Hypertension, Cancer, Diabetes Mellitus, Coronary Artery Disease, Cerebrovascular Accidents
and Congestive Heart Failure. Beginning nursing skills include: principles of medical asepsis, body
mechanics, standard precautions, hygienic and nutritional care, administration of medications, and
beginning IV skills. Theoretical content provides overview of the care of clients with diverse cultural
backgrounds and spiritual needs as well as principles of therapeutic communication and mental health.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Nursing Program. Theory may be offered in Distance Education
delivery format. 4 hours lecture; 13.5 hours clinical practice.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Theoretical:
1. Identify and describe the scientific principles that form the basis for assessments and nursing
interventions which assist the clients’ adaptation to the following conditions:
a. hypertension
b. cerebrovascular accident
c. diabetes mellitus
d. cancer
e. coronary artery disease
f. congestive heart failure
2. Discuss specific issues related to diverse cultural and racial populations across the life span and
their impact on development and treatment of the following illnesses: hypertension,
cerebrovascular accident, diabetes mellitus, cancer, coronary artery disease;
3. Describe and apply the components of the nursing process;
4. Discuss principles of safety involved in client care;
5. Identify and apply principles of medical asepsis and infection control;
6. Integrate concepts related to cultural diversity, spirituality and therapeutic communication in client
care;
7. Describe principles of administration of medications with implications for the elderly client;
8. Discuss principles of mental health, defense mechanisms and stress management.
Clinical:
1. Demonstrate the following nursing skills in the Skills Laboratory or Clinical area:
a. Hygienic care (bed bath, bed making, oral care);
b. Assessment of vital signs;
c. Nutritional care, including providing oral and enteral feedings;
d. Beginning IV skills (IV set-up, changing IV fluids, fluid administration)
e. Collection of specimens and analysis of findings;
f. Handwashing;
g. Principles of body mechanics;
h. Positioning/lifting/transferring the client to or from bed/chair;
i. Observe and document intake and output;
j. Assessment of thorax, skin, abdomen, oral cavity, and peripheral vascular system,
including normal physiological changes across the life span;
k. Administration of oxygen;
l. Administration of medications by oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical and enteral
routes;
Chabot College
Course outlines for Nursing 55, Page 2
Fall 2006
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Application of ace wraps;
Inspection of intravenous sites, including calculation of IV drip rates;
Basic principles of surgical asepsis;
Safe application of restraints;
Ability to work with chronically ill older clients of diverse cultural and racial background in
the clinical area.
Course Content:
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Nursing process
Safety and mobility of clients
Medical and surgical asepsis
Provision of basic care to the client
Introduction to cultural diversity and communication issues in the clinical setting
Selected medical diagnoses
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture/discussion
Audiovisual aids
Assignments
Skills laboratory simulations
Clinical practice
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. Write research paper
b. Develop nursing care plans
c. Care for clients in clinical setting
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Written exams
b. Research paper
c. Satisfactory performance in Skills Lab and clinical practice
d. Final exam
Textbooks (typical):
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Potter and Perry, C.V. Mosby, 2004
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Health and Illness Perspectives, Phipps, et al., 2004
Special Student Materials:
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2.
3.
4.
Lab coat and uniforms
Stethoscope
Watch with second-hand
Goggles
CG B n55courseoutline05.doc
Revised 9/05