Fundamentals of Nursing

12th Edition - January 15, 2025
Authors: Patricia A. Potter, Anne G. Perry, Patricia A. Stockert, Amy Hall, Wendy R. Ostendorf
Language: English
formats.LooseLeaf ISBN:
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Hardback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 2 4 0 6 - 8
eBook ISBN:
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Learn the concepts and skills and develop the clinical judgment you need to provide excellent nursing care! Fundamentals of Nursing, Twelfth Edition prepares you to succeed as a n… Read more

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Learn the concepts and skills and develop the clinical judgment you need to provide excellent nursing care! Fundamentals of Nursing, Twelfth Edition prepares you to succeed as a nurse by providing a solid foundation in critical thinking, clinical judgment, nursing theory, evidence-based practice, and person-centered care in all settings. With illustrated, step-by-step guidelines, this book makes it easy to learn important skills and procedures. Care plans are presented within a nursing process framework that is coordinated with clinical judgement, and case studies show how to apply concepts to nursing practice. From an expert author team led by Patricia Potter and Anne Perry, this bestselling nursing textbook helps you develop the understanding and clinical judgment you need to succeed in the classroom and in your career.

UPDATED! Content reflects the latest evidence-based practice, including the most current information on infection control standards, oxygenation, technology in health care, and more
UPDATED! More than 80 new photos and images present updated skills and represent the diversity of nurses and patients throughout
UNIQUE! Critical Thinking section incorporates clinical judgment and critical thinking to help you develop these valuable skills. The unique critical thinking/clinical judgment model is visually depicted by a series of progressive images that demonstrate the application of the nursing process, critical thinking, and clinical judgment — and how they all tie together
UNIQUE! Reflective Learning questions in every clinical chapter are associated with each of the six clinical judgment skills and coordinate directly with the case study presented in the care plan
UNIQUE! Building Competency boxes in every chapter incorporate nursing competencies, e.g., person-centered care, safety, and evidence-based practice. Each box presents a clinical situation followed by several open-ended questions designed to help you understand and apply these core competencies
UNIQUE! Caring for Patients with Chronic Illness chapter helps prepare you to address the unique health care needs of patients who have complex, long-term, chronic disease, who face the physical and emotional impacts of the illness, and the therapies used to treat it
Evidence-Based Practice boxes reflect current research and include a PICOT question, a summary of the results of a research study, and the impact the study has made in nursing practice. Where applicable, these EBP boxes will focus on “Never Events” (those events that are completely preventable, dangerous to patients, and non-reimbursable) and new related research
Case studies in all clinical chapters tie together the care plan, concept map, and reflective learning exercises
Clear delegation coverage notes which skills can and cannot be delegated and indicate exactly which tasks to delegate. Many chapters incorporate delegation considerations into the chapter case study and there is also a delegation section in every skill and procedural guideline
Planning and Outcomes Identification sections include sections on Outcomes, Setting Priorities, and Teamwork and Collaboration to help you plan and prioritize comprehensive patient care
Teamwork and Collaboration headings highlight information to help you work effectively both within the nursing team and within the larger healthcare team, allowing you to make the best use of available healthcare resources to improve patient care
Implementation sections include health promotion, acute care, and restorative and continuing care to prepare you for all levels of care in all settings
Patient Teaching boxes help you plan effective teaching by first identifying an outcome, then developing strategies on how to teach, and finally implementing measures to evaluate learning
Focus on Older Adult boxes highlight key aspects of nursing assessment and care for this population
Cultural Care boxes summarize cultural considerations related to the chapter topic and provide practical guidelines for how to meet patients’ cultural needs and preferences
Nursing Assessment Questions boxes help you learn to effectively phrase questions for patients
More than 50 skills are generously illustrated in a two-column format that includes rationales for each step alongside clear, step-by-step instructions for providing safe nursing care. Rationales cite current evidence-based research
Key terms at the beginning of each chapter help you learn the most important terminology for that area of content
Five review questions for each chapter include answers both in the book and on the Evolve companion website (with rationales)
Unexpected Outcomes and Related Interventions for skills alert you to possible problems and appropriate nursing action.
More than 30 procedural guidelines provide streamlined, step-by-step instructions for performing very basic skills
A consistent five-step nursing process framework for clinical chapters coordinates completely with the accompanying clinical judgment skills used for each step
More than 20 concept maps visually demonstrate planning care for patients with multiple nursing diagnoses
NOC outcomes, NIC interventions, and nursing diagnoses in care plans reflect the standard used by institutions nationwide
More than 20 care plans demonstrate the application of the five-step nursing process to individual patient problems to help you understand how a plan is developed and how to evaluate care. Patients in the care plan extend to the Reflective Learning activities at the end of each clinical chapter
Evidence-Based Practice chapter helps you understand how nursing research serves as the basis for determining best practice, and the critical importance of this continually evolving dynamic
Safe Patient Handling Guidelines are included in the Patient Safety and Quality chapter
Practical study tools on the Evolve companion website include skills video clips, skills checklists, printable key points, answers to the review questions in the book, a fluid & electrolytes tutorial, a concept map creator, an audio glossary, and more
Key points are tied to the chapter objectives and neatly summarize the most important content for each chapter to help you review and evaluate your learning

Fundamentals of Nursing
Cover image
Title page
Disclaimer
Table of Contents
Copyright
Contributors and Reviewers
Dedication
Preface to the instructor
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
List of Tables
UNIT 1. Nursing and the Health Care Environment
1. Nursing today
Nursing as a profession
Historical influences
Contemporary influences
Trends in nursing
Professional registered nurse education
Nursing practice
Professional nursing organizations
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
2. The health care delivery system
Traditional levels of health care
Integrated health care delivery
Issues in health care delivery for nurses
The future of health care
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
3. Population health
Community-based health care
Population/community health nursing
Community-based nursing
Community assessment
Changing patients’ health
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
4. Theoretical foundations of nursing practice
Theory
Shared theories
Select nursing theories
Links among theory and knowledge development and research in nursing
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
5. Evidence-based practice
The need for evidence-based practice
The scientific method
Scope of nursing research
Performance improvement
The relationship among evidence-based practice, research, and performance improvement
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
UNIT 2. Caring Throughout the Life Span
6. Health and wellness
Healthy People
Definition of health
Models of health and illness
Variables influencing health and health beliefs and practices
Health promotion, wellness, and illness prevention
Risk factors
Risk-factor identification and changing health behaviors
Illness
Caring for yourself
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
7. Caring in nursing practice
Theoretical views on caring
Patients’ perceptions of caring
Ethic of care
Caring in nursing practice
The challenge of caring
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
8. Caring for patients with chronic illness
The prevalence and costs of chronic disease
Multifactorial nature of chronic disease
Family caregivers
The chronic care model
Implications for nursing
Health promotion and disease prevention
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
9. Cultural care
Culture and health
Cultural identity and cultural competence
Cultural awareness and knowledge
Cultural skill
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
10. Family dynamics
The family
Family forms and current trends
Family nursing
Family-centered care and the nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
11. Developmental theories
Theories of development
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
12. Conception through adolescence
Stages of growth and development
Selecting a developmental framework for nursing
Intrauterine life
Transition from intrauterine to extrauterine life
Newborn
Infant
Toddler
Preschooler
School-age child and adolescent
School-age child
Adolescent
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
13. Young and middle adults
Young adults
Middle adults
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
14. Older adults
Variability among older adults
Myths and stereotypes
Nurses’ attitudes toward older adults
Developmental tasks for older adults
Community-based and institutional health care services
Assessing the needs of older adults
Addressing the health concerns of older adults
Care of older adults
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
UNIT 3. Clinical Judgment in Nursing Practice
15. Critical thinking and clinical judgment
Clinical judgment in nursing practice
Critical thinking and the nursing process
Critical thinking competencies
Levels of critical thinking
Components of critical thinking in the clinical judgment model
Evaluation of clinical judgments
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
16. Nursing assessment
Critical thinking in assessment
The assessment database
The nurse-patient relationship in assessment
The patient-centered interview
Nurse’s experience
Environment in assessment
Critical thinking attitudes for assessment
Standards in assessment
The nursing health history format
The assessment process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
17. Analysis and nursing diagnosis
Types of diagnoses
Terminologies for nursing diagnoses
Critical thinking in analysis and nursing diagnosis
Use of nursing diagnosis in practice
Care planning
Documentation and informatics
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
18. Planning and outcomes identification in nursing care
Critical thinking in planning
Establishing priorities
Clinical judgment in selecting outcomes
Planning nursing interventions
Systems for planning nursing care
Consulting with health care professionals
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
19. Implementing nursing care
Standard nursing interventions
Critical thinking in implementation
Implementation process
Direct care
Indirect care
Achieving patient outcomes
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
20. Evaluation
Clinical judgment and critical thinking in evaluation
The evaluation process
Document outcomes
Collaboration and evaluation
Evaluation of health care quality
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
21. Managing patient care
Building a nursing team
Leadership skills for nursing students
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
UNIT 4. Professional Standards in Nursing Practice
22. Ethics and values
Basic terms in health ethics
Professional nursing code of ethics
Values
Approaches to ethics
Nursing point of view
Issues in health care ethics
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
23. Legal implications in nursing practice
Legal limits of nursing
Federal statutes affecting nursing practice
State statutes affecting nursing practice
Nursing workforce guidelines
Legal implications and reducing your legal risks
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
24. Communication
Communication and nursing practice
Elements of the communication process
Forms of communication
Professional nursing relationships
Elements of professional communication
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
25. Patient education
Purposes of patient education
Teaching and learning
Domains of learning
Basic learning principles
Clinical judgment in patient education
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
26. Informatics and documentation
Purposes of the health record
Interprofessional communication within the health record
Standards and guidelines for quality nursing documentation
Methods of documentation
Common record-keeping forms within the electronic health record
Documenting communication with providers and unique events
Acuity rating systems
Documentation in the long-term and home health care settings
Case management and use of critical pathways
Informatics and information management in health care
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
UNIT 5. Foundations for Nursing Practice
27. Patient safety and quality
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 27.1 Fall prevention in health care settings
SKILL 27.2 Applying physical restraints
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
28. Infection prevention and control
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 28.1 Hand hygiene
SKILL 28.2 Preparation of a sterile field
SKILL 28.3 Surgical hand antisepsis
SKILL 28.4 Sterile gloving
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
29. Vital signs
Guidelines for measuring vital signs
Body temperature
Nursing process
Pulse
Nursing process
Respiration
Nursing process
Blood pressure
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 29.1 Measuring body temperature
SKILL 29.2 Assessing apical and radial pulse
SKILL 29.3 Assessing respirations
SKILL 29.4 Measuring oxygen saturation (pulse oximetry)
SKILL 29.5 Assessing arterial blood prSKILL 29.5 essure
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
30. Health assessment and physical examination
Purposes of the physical examination
Preparation for examination
Organization of the examination
Techniques of physical assessment
General survey
Skin, hair, and nails
Head and neck
Thorax and lungs
Heart
Breasts
Abdomen
Female genitalia and reproductive tract
Male genitalia
Rectum and anus
Musculoskeletal system
Neurological system
After the examination
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
31. Medication administration
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Medication administration
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 31.1 Administering oral medications
SKILL 31.2 Administering ophthalmic medications
SKILL 31.3 Using metered-dose inhalers (MDIs), dry powder inhalers (DPIs), or soft mist inhalers (SMIs)
SKILL 31.4 Preparing injections: Ampules and vials
SKILL 31.5 Administering injections
Needle length and injection sites for immunizations (based on CDC [2023a] guidelines)
SKILL 31.6 Administering medications by intravenous push
SKILL 31.7 Administering intravenous medications by piggyback and syringe pumps
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
32. Complementary, alternative, and integrative therapies
Complementary and integrative therapies
Nursing-accessible therapies
Training-specific therapies
The integrative nursing role
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
UNIT 6. Psychosocial Basis for Nursing Practice
33. Self-concept
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
34. Sexuality
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
35. Spiritual health
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
36. Loss and grief
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
37. Stress and coping
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
UNIT 7. Physiological Basis for Nursing Practice
38. Activity and exercise
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 38.1 Using safe and effective transfer techniques
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
39. Immobility
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 39.1 Moving and positioning patients in bed
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
40. Hygiene
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 40.1 Bathing and perineal care
SKILL 40.2 Performing nail and foot care
SKILL 40.3 Performing mouth care for a patient who is unconscious or debilitated
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
41. Oxygenation
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 41.1 Suctioning
SKILL 41.2 Care of an artificial airway
SKILL 41.3 Care of patients with chest tubes
SKILL 41.4 Using home oxygen equipment
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
42. Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 42.1 Insertion of a short peripheral intravenous device
SKILL 42.2 Regulating intravenous flow rates
SKILL 42.3 Maintenance of an intravenous system
SKILL 42.4 Changing a short peripheral intravenous dressing
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
43. Sleep
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
44. Pain management
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 44.1 Patient-controlled analgesia
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
45. Nutrition
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 45.1 Aspiration precautions
SKILL 45.2 Insertion and removal of a small-bore feeding tube
SKILL 45.3 Administering enteral nutrition: Nasogastric, nasointestinal, gastrostomy, or jejunostomy tube
SKILL 45.4 Blood glucose monitoring
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
46. Urinary elimination
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 46.1 Urine specimen collection: Midstream (clean-voided) urine; sterile urinary catheter
SKILL 46.2 Insertion of a straight (intermittent) or indwelling urinary catheter
SKILL 46.3 Care and removal of an indwelling catheter
SKILL 46.4 Closed catheter irrigation
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
47. Bowel elimination
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 47.1 Administering an enema
SKILL 47.2 Insertion, maintenance, and removal of a nasogastric tube for gastric decompression
SKILL 47.3 Pouching a colostomy or SKILL 47.3 an ileostomy
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
48. Skin integrity and wound care
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 48.1 Risk assessment, skin assessment, and prevention strategies for pressure injury
SKILL 48.2 Treating pressure injuries and wounds
SKILL 48.3 Applying dry and moist dressings
SKILL 48.4 Implementation of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
SKILL 48.5 Performing wound irrigation
SKILL 48.6 Applying roller gauze or elastic bandage
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
49. Sensory alterations
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Critical thinking
Nursing process
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
50. Perioperative nursing care
Scientific knowledge base
Nursing knowledge base
Perioperative phases
Critical thinking
Preoperative surgical phase
Nursing process
Transport to the operating room
Preanesthesia care unit
Intraoperative surgical phase
Nursing roles during surgery
Nursing process
Postoperative surgical phase
Immediate postoperative recovery (phase I)
Recovery in ambulatory surgery (phase II)
Recovery of inpatients: Postoperative recovery and convalescence
Nursing process
Safety guidelines for nursing skills
SKILL 50.1 Perioperative teaching
Key points
Reflective learning
Review questions
References
Research references
Index
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Fundamentals of Nursing

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Innovate. Sustain. Transform.

Institutional subscription on ScienceDirect

Patricia A. Potter

Anne G. Perry

Patricia A. Stockert

Amy Hall

Wendy R. Ostendorf