
Fundamentals of Nursing
- 12th Edition - January 15, 2025
- Imprint: Elsevier
- Authors: Patricia A. Potter, Anne G. Perry, Patricia A. Stockert, Amy Hall, Wendy R. Ostendorf
- Language: English
- LooseLeaf ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 4 5 3 1 - 2
- Hardback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 2 4 0 6 - 8
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 2 4 5 3 2 - 9
Learn the concepts and skills and develop the clinical judgment you need to provide excellent nursing care! Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th Edition prepares you to succeed as a nurs… Read more

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Request a sales quoteLearn the concepts and skills and develop the clinical judgment you need to provide excellent nursing care! Fundamentals of Nursing, 12th 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
Nursing students in 2-year and 4-year programs
- 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
- Special features
- Edition: 12
- Published: January 15, 2025
- Imprint: Elsevier
- No. of pages: 1536
- Language: English
- LooseLeaf ISBN: 9780443245312
- Hardback ISBN: 9780443124068
- eBook ISBN: 9780443245329
PP
Patricia A. Potter
Patricia A. Potter, RN, MSN, PhD, FAAN is a Former Director of Research, Patient Care Services Barnes-Jewish Hospital St. Louis, Missouri.
Affiliations and expertise
Formerly, Director of Research, Patient Care Services, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MissouriAP
Anne G. Perry
Anne Griffin Perry, RN, MSN, EdD, FAAN is a Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor Emerita, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University—Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IllinoisPS
Patricia A. Stockert
Patricia Stockert, RN, BSN, MS, PhD is the President of the College, Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, Peoria, Illinois.
Affiliations and expertise
Formerly, President, College of Nursing, Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing, Peoria, IllinoisAH
Amy Hall
Amy Hall, RN, BSN, MS, PhD, CNE, Professor and Dean, School of Nursing, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Affiliations and expertise
Professor and Dean, School of Nursing, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton Rouge, LouisianaWO
Wendy R. Ostendorf
Wendy R. Ostendorf, Contributing Faculty, Masters of Science in Nursing, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA,
Affiliations and expertise
Contributing Faculty, Masters of Science in Nursing, Walden University, Minneapolis, Minnesota