Chabot College
Fall, 2004
Course Outline for Nursing 55
FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING PRACTICE
Catalog Description:
Nursing 55 - Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
9 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, and
Cerebrovascular Accidents. Beginning nursing skills include: principles of medical asepsis, body
mechanics, standard precautions, hygienic and nutritional care, and administration of medications.
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; 15 hours clinical practice.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Theoretical Outcomes:
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identify and describe the scientific principles that form the basis for assessments and nursing
interventions which assist the client’s adaptation to the following conditions:
a. hypertension;
b. cerebrovascular accident;
c. diabetes mellitus;
d. cancer;
e. coronary artery disease;
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:
a. hypertension;
b. cerebrovascular accident;
c. diabetes mellitus;
d. cancer;
e. coronary artery disease;
describe and apply the components of the nursing process;
discuss principles of safety involved in client care;
identify and apply principles of medical asepsis and infection control;
integrate concepts related to cultural diversity, spirituality and therapeutic communication in client care;
describe principles of administration of medications with implications for the elderly client;
discuss principles of mental health, defense mechanisms and stress management.
Clinical Outcomes:
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. collection of specimens and analysis of findings;
e. handwashing;
f. principles of body mechanics;
g. positioning/lifting/transferring the client to or from bed/chair;
h. observe and document intake and output;
Chabot College
Course Outline for Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Nursing 55, Page 2
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Fall 2004
assessment of thorax, skin, abdomen, oral cavity, and peripheral; vascular system,
including normal physiological changes across the life span;
administration of oxygen;
administration of medications by oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical and
enteral routes;
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
Cultural diversity
Communication skills
Introduction to cultural diversity and communication issues in the clinical setting
Selected medical diagnoses
Methods of Presentation:
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Lecture/discussion
Audio/Visual aids
Assigned readings
Skills laboratory simulations
Nursing care plans
Clinical practice
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Written tests
2. Satisfactory performance in Skills Laboratory and Clinical practice
3. Written final exam
Textbooks (Typical):
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice, Potter/Perry, Mosby, 2001.
Medical–Surgical Nursing: Health & Illness, Phipps, et al, Mosby, 7th ed., 2003.
Mosby’s Drug Reference, Skidmore, Mosby, 2004.
Lab and Diagnostic Tests, Pagana and Pagana, Mosby, 2002.
Special Student Materials:
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Lab coat and uniforms
Stethoscope
Watch with sweep second-hand
Goggles
Nsgotl55/worddoc
Rev. 9/03 :slj