Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
Concept with Definition
Biophysical
1. Acid Base Balance- the
process of regulating the
pH, bicarbonate
concentration, and partial
pressure of carbon dioxide
of body fluids.(G)
Concept Based Curriculum (Texas)
Exemplars by Level (Semester)/Concept
Concept – Intro
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Hyperventilation-(Birthing Mother, Panic Attack)
Gastrointestinal Losses – (Pediatric)
Drug Overdose with Hypoventilation
Compensation and Partial Compensation to be included Under Concepts in
Level IV related to Acid Base Balance
2. Cellular Regulation- the
process by which cells
replicate, proliferate, and
grow.
Breast Tumors and Breast Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Lung Cancer
Colon Cancer
Lymphomas (Adult/Pediatric)
Hodgkin’s
Non-Hodgkin’s
Leukemia (Adult/Pediatric)
Skin Cancer
3.Clotting – a physiologic
process in which blood is
converted from a liquid to
a semisolid gel. (G)
Hemophilia
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Thrombocytopenia
Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) – (Bone Marrow)
HELLP Syndrome (Liver & Pregnancy Complications)
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Blood Products
4. Comfort – a state of
physical ease.
Osteoarthritis (Chronic Pain)
Degenerative Disc Disease (Neuropathic Pain)
Post-Operative Pain- Total Joint Arthroplasty (Acute Pain)
Procedural Pain- Dressing Changes/Wound Care, PT after Arthroplasty (Acute
Pain)
Pancreatitis (Chronic Pain, Acute Exacerbations)
Sickle Cell Anemia (Chronic Pain, Acute Exacerbations)
Post-Operative Pain: Abdominal Surgery (Acute Pain)
Renal Calculi (Acute Pain)
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) (Neuropathic Pain)
Cancer Pain
Labor Pain
Neonatal Pain (Circumcision, Procedural Pain, e.g., Chest Tube or ET Tube
Insertion)
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Trauma: Fractures/ Musculoskeletal Injuries (Acute Pain); Amputation (Acute
Revised 6.22.2015
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
and Phantom Limb/ Neuropathic Pain)
ICU – Procedural Pain (Intubated/Comatose) [Scenarios as Related to Course
Content – Not Stand Alone Concept]
5. Elimination – The
excretion of waste
products waste products.
Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH) – Urinary Retention
Diarrhea – Bowel Incontinence
Gerontology – Urinary Incontinence
Clostridium Difficile (C.diff)
Constipation/Impaction – Elderly (Skills Course)
Paralytic Ileus – Bowel Obstruction
Diverticulitis
Crohn’s Disease
Neurogenic Bladder – Spastic
6. Fluid & Electrolyte
Balance – the process of
regulating the
extracellular fluid volume,
body fluid osmolality, and
plasma concentrations of
electrolytes.
Concept – Intro
Dehydration – Gastroenteritis – Elderly
Extracellular Fluid Volume Excess
Hypocalcemia
Hypercalcemia
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia - Chronic Renal Failure
Hyponatremia - Syndrome of Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH),
Hypernatremia – Diabetes Insipidus (DI)
Hypophosphatemia
Hyperphosphatemia
Hypomagnesemia
Hypermagnesemia
Extracellular Fluid Volume Excess – Heart Failure [HF also in Perfusion ]
Hypokalemia – Heart Failure
Hyperkalemia – Acute Renal Failure
7. Functional Ability – the
physical, psychological,
cognitive, and social
ability to carry on the
normal activities of life.
Alzheimer’s
Downs Syndrome
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s
Cerebrovascular Accident – Stroke
8. Gas Exchange
(oxygenation) - the
process by which oxygen
is transported to cells and
carbon dioxide is
transported from cells (G).
Concept – Intro
Asthma
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Pneumonia- Aspiration
RSV/Bronchiolitis (Pedi)
Tracheal Esophageal Fistula (Pedi/Newborn)
Anemia
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Revised 6.22.2015
2
Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
Pulmonary Emboli
Cystic Fibrosis
9. Immunity – A
physiologic process that
provides an individual
with protection or defense
from disease.
Concept – Intro
Vaccines
Otitis media
Urinary Tract Infection
Cellulitis
Osteomyelitis
Pneumonia
Appendicitis
Trauma-sprain
Tuberculosis (TB)
Anaphylaxis
Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ( 3)
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sepsis
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Organ Transplantation
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)
Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) with Shock and/or DIC
(Including Withdrawal of Care)
10. Intracranial Regulation
The processes that affect
intra-cranial
compensation and
adaptive neurological
function. (NC)
Seizure Disorder
Stroke
Traumatic Brain Injury/Organ Donation/Brain Death
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Brain Tumor
Meningitis
Hydrocephalus
Parkinson’s Disease
11. Metabolism – the
processes of biochemical
reactions occurring in the
body’s cells that are
necessary to produce
energy, repair and
facilitate growth of cells,
and maintain life.
Concept – Intro
Diabetes Type 1
Diabetes Type 2
Gestational Diabetes
Graves’ Disease – Hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
Addison’s Disease – Hypo-Cortisolism (Chronic Adrenal Insufficiency)
Cushing’s – Hyper-Cortisolism
Liver Failure
Pancreatitis
Starvation-Failure to Thrive
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
12. Mobility
Factors that facilitate or
impair movement of the
body.
Hip Fractures
Disuse Syndrome
Joint Replacement
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Cerebral Palsy
Spinal Cord Injury
Musculoskeletal Trauma (Fractures/Musculoskeletal Injuries, Amputation,
Compartment Syndrome)
13. Nutrition- the process
by which the body ingests,
absorbs, transports uses
and eliminates nutrients
and foods. (NC)
Diets (Regular, Soft, Mechanical soft, Clear Liquids, Full Liquids)
Obesity
Malnutrition - Inadequate-excess)
Iron deficiency Anemia
Dysphagia
Heart Healthy Diet
Diabetic Diet
Malnutrition (Introduce Parenteral Nutrition)
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Malabsorption Syndromes Infant & Elderly (Gastrostomy and Enteral
Feedings)
Starvation – Failure to Thrive
Infant Nutrition (Breast/Bottle)
Critically ILL (Renal Diet(s), Pancreatic Diet, Liver Diet(s), and Parenteral
Nutrition
14. Perfusion – the flow of
blood through arteries
and capillaries delivering
nutrients and oxygen to
cell and removing cellular
waste. (G)
Concept – Intro
Basic ECG Rhythms
Congestive Heart Failure [HF also in Fluid and Electrolytes ]
Hypertension
Gestational Hypertension
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)
Tetralogy of Fallot (congenital)
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
Septal Defects (VSD)
Coarctation of Aorta
Dysrhythmias
Myocardial Infarction (MI) (Sudden Death)
Shock
Aneurysms
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
15. Reproduction – the
process by which humans
produce a new life.
Contraception/Family Planning
Infertility
Pregnancy (Include Birth Process)
Placental Complications
Preterm Labor
Newborn (Include Neonate)
Genetics (Downs, Huntington’s, Breast Cancer, Sickle Cell)
16. Sensory Perception –
the ability to receive
sensory input and through
various physiological
processes in the body,
translate the stimulus or
data into meaningful
information.
Cataracts
Conductive Hearing Loss
Macular Degenerative Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy (Peripheral Artery Disease)
Sensorineural Hearing Loss (Pediactric)
Glaucoma
Eye Injuries
17. Sleep – state of rest
accompanied by natural
altered consciousness.
Sleep Deprivation
Insomnia
Sleep Apnea
18. Sexuality
Factors that facilitate or
impair an individual’s
gender identity as well as
their ability to experience
and express themselves as
sexual beings
Dyspareunia
Erectile Dysfunction
Sexually Transmitted Infection
Altered Libido
Gender Dysphoria/Body Image
19. Thermoregulation –
the process of maintaining
core body temperature
within an optimal
physiological range.
Environmental Exposure
Hypothermia – Frost Bite, Infant
Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke – Elderly
Fever (Pediatric)
Malignant Hyperthermia
20. Tissue Integrity – the
ability of body tissues to
regenerate and/or repair
to maintain normal
physiological processes (?)
Concept - Intro
Dermal Ulcer
Impetigo
Psoriasis
Wound (surgical/traumatic)
Tinea Pedis
Candida
Pediculosis (lice)
Burns
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
Concept with Definition
Psychosocial
1. Cognition – process of
thought by which an
individual learns, stores,
retrieves, and uses
information. (NC)
Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia
Delirium
Traumatic Brain Injury
Encephalopathy
Postpartum Psychosis
Schizophrenia
[Alzheimer’s also in Functional Ability ]
2. Coping – an ever
changing process involving
both cognitive means and
behavioral actions, in
order to manage internal
or external situations that
are perceived as difficult
and/or beyond the
individual’s current
resources.
Concept – Intro
Anxiety
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Panic Disorder (Attack)
Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia
Phobia
Stress
Separation Anxiety (Developmental)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Physical Response/Disease
Lifespan Resonse
Substance Abuse/Addictive Behaviors
Alcoholism
Maternal/Fetal Cocaine Addiction
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (withdrawal)
3. Diversity – the unique
variations among and
between individuals,
variations that are
informed by genetics and
cultural background, but
that are refined by
experience and personal
choice. (NC)
Hispanic Traditions – Maternity with Complementary/Alternative Medicine
Jehovah’s Witness – Blood Products, Pediatrics
Traditional Islamic – Ritual Dying Patient
Spirituality
Spiritual distress
(Exemplars to Include Race, Gender, Sexual Orientation, Age, Education,
Abilities and Life Experiences)
4. End of Life – processes
and issues related to
death and dying across
the lifespan.
Senescence (Aging)
Persistent Vegetative State (PVS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
(chronic Disease ending in Death)
Pancreatic Cancer/Hospice (Palliative Care)
Pediatric
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
5. Grief – the multifaceted
reaction to loss whether
real or perceived and how
this impacts health. (?)
Prenatal Diagnosis of Congenital Defect
Stillborn
Amputation
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Myocardial Infarction
Terminal Illness
6. Human Development –
the sequence of
biophysical, psychosocial,
and cognitive
developmental changes
that take place over the
human lifespan
that allow the individual
complex adaptation to the
environment in order to
function within society.
(H)
Hospitalized Patient (Adult/Pediatric)
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD & ADD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Developmental Delay
Menopause
Aging
7. Interpersonal
Relationships –Factors
that facilitate and/or
impair effective social
associations, connections,
or affiliations between
two or more people. (K)
Aging of Family Members
Disability of Family Member
Expanding Family (Birth, Adoption, Blended Family)
Violence
Intimate Partner Violence
Workplace Violence
Elder Abuse
Child Neglect
Child Abuse
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Bullying
Rape/Trauma
Personality Disorders
Crisis Intervention
8. Mood and Affect –
Emotional state and its
observable expression.
Bipolar Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder
Suicide
Post-Partum Depression
Concept with Definition
Professional Nursing
1. Clinical Judgment – an
interpretation or
conclusion about a
Revised 6.22.2015
Scenarios Applying the Nursing Process
Clinical Skills (Assessing Wound/Dressing Decisions; Timing and Clustering of
Daily Care) (2)
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
patient’s needs, concerns,
or health problems,
and/or the decision to
take action (or not), use or
modify standard
approaches, or improvise
new ones as deemed
appropriate by the
patient’s response.
(Tanner)
Urgent/Emergent Situations (Start Oxygen, Recognize Anaphylaxis, Failure to
Rescue, Rapid Response Team)
Medication Management
When to Contact Physician or other Health Care Provider
Urgent/Emergent Situations (Hemorrhagic)
Prioritization of Care
Patient Advocacy
When to Contact Physician or Other Health Care Provider
Urgent/Emergent Situations (Recognize Sepsis)
Medication Management
Prioritization of Care
Delegation [Delegation also in Leadership & Management ]
When to Contact Physician or Other Healthcare Provider
2. Communication –
process of interaction
between people where
symbols are used to
create, exchange, and
interpret messages about
ideas, emotions and mindstates. (G)
Interpersonal
Interprofessional
SBAR
Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR)
Intrapersonal
Peers and Healthcare Team Members
Assertive Communication
Therapeutic Communication
Communication will be covered within other concepts after second semester
primarily: clinical Judgment, Coping, Cognition, Leadership and
Management, Professionalism, Mood and Affect, and Intracranial
Regulation (3, 4)
3. Health Promotion – any Injury Prevention
activity undertaken for the Health Care Screening
purpose of achieving a
Obesity Management
higher level of health and
well-being. (NC)
4. Patient Education
Encompasses activities
designed to produce
learning that alters health
behaviors or improves
health status (K)
Discharge Planning
Formal – Examples Related to Course Content
Informal – Patient Teaching
5. Professionalism – the
assimilation of nursing
skills and knowledge
integrated with dignity
and respect for all human
beings incorporating the
Attributes of the Profession
Roles of the Nurse (DECS)
Commitment to the Profession
Nursing Organizations & Unions
Transition to Practice
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
assumptions and values of
the profession while
maintaining accountability
and self-awareness. (G)
6. Teamwork and
Collaboration – the
development of
partnerships to achieve
best possible outcomes
that reflect the particular
needs of the patient,
family, or community,
requiring an
understanding of what
others have to offer.
Concept with Definition
Health Care System
1. Ethical and Legal
Practice – a system of laws
and moral principles or
standards governing
human conduct. (NC)
Interdisciplinary Plan of Care
Group Work
Chain of Command
Conflict Management Strategies
Group Process
Operating Room Team
Case Management
Interprofessional Collaboration
Civility in the Workplace
Nursing Practice Act
Patient Confidentiality (HIPAA and Social Media)
ANA Code of Ethics
Patient’s Rights
Criminal Law
Civil Law
Informed Consent
Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Principles
Advanced Directives
Whistle Blowing
Safe Harbor
Obligation to Report
Peer Review
Texas Peer Assistance Program for Nurses (TPAPN)
[Health Information Technology - Legal Aspects in HIT ]
2. Evidence-Based Practice Concept
– integrates best current
Best Practices and Standards (related to course content)
evidence with clinical
Develop a Question (PICO)
expertise and
patient/family
preferences and values for
delivery of optimal health
care. (QSEN)
3. Healthcare
Organizations – a
Revised 6.22.2015
Access to Healthcare
Diagnostic Related Grouping (DRG)
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
purposefully designed,
structured social system
developed for the delivery
of health care services by
specialized workforces to
defined communities,
populations or markets.
(G)
Primary Care
Secondary Care
Tertiary Care
Emergency Preparedness
Resource Utilization
Allocation of Resources/
Cost Effective Care
Nursing Care Delivery Systems
4. Health Policy – actions
and decisions by
government bodies or
professional organizations
that influence the actions
and decisions of
individuals within the
health care system. (NC)
Regulatory Agencies
Occupational and Health Administration(OSHA)
Licensure
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Division of Health Services Regulation (DHSR)
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (CMS also in
Quality Improvement [3])
Types of Reimbursement (Medicare, Medicaid, Private)
Professional Organizations
Accrediting Bodies
Current Issues
5. Health Information
Technology – the
application of information
processing involving, data,
and knowledge for
communication and
decision making. (B&T)
Concept
Point of Care
Computer Based Reminder Systems
Clinical Decision Support Systems
Tele-health
Alarm (Alert) Fatigue
Legal Aspects should consult with faculty teaching Ethics and Legal
Practice to prevent duplication
6. Leadership and
Management –
Management is the
process of coordination
and integration of
resources through
planning, organizing,
coordinating, directing,
and controlling to
accomplish specific
institutional goals and
objectives. (Huber)
Leadership is the process
of influencing people to
accomplish goals. (Huber)
Delegation (Delegation also in Clinical Judgment [4])
Management and Change Theory
Intro to Working in Healthcare Environments
Care Coordination
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Concepts (Texas) Defined, Exemplars
Leveled by Concept per Semester, Revised 9.1.15
7. Patient-Centered Care –
recognizes the patient or
designee as the source of
control and full partner in
providing compassionate
and coordinated care
based on respect for
patient’s preference
values and needs. (QSEN)
Advocacy
Prioritizing Individualized Care
Scenarios Related to Course Content
Cultural Competence (Trauma Informed Care)
8. Quality Improvement –
systematic process that
health care organizations
and professionals use to
measure patient
outcomes, identify
hazards and errors, and to
improve care. (?)
Regulatory Agencies
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (also in Health
Policy [4])
The Joint Commission
Institute of Medicine
Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN)
Quality Plans and Philosophies –Total Quality Improvement
Culture of Safety
Introduction to Magnet
Error Management
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Health Information Technology
Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
Medication Administration System
Sentinel Events
9. Safety – Protection
from harm or injury for
patients and providers
through both system
effectiveness and
individual performance.
Standard Precautions
National Patient Safety Goals
Environmental Safety & Med Admin (Skills)
Time Outs
Core Measures
Anticipatory Guidance
Hand off Communication
Nurse Fatigue – (Compassion and Physical)
Nurse
Caregiver
Safety will be covered within other concept in the fourth semester primarily:
Clinical Judgment, Ethic and Legal Practice, and Quality Improvement
Total Concepts = 43
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