Course Outline

Fundamental of Nursing

Unit I INTRODUCTION TO NURSING:

In this unit students will explore the professional role of the nurse including its historical development. At
the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe types of hospitals and their functions.

2. Describe the members and the functions of health care team in hospital setting.

Unit II COMMUNICATIONS:

In this unit students will gain an understanding of theories related to communication and their
application to the Nursing Profession. Students will be utilizing communication skills in different clinical
settings. At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Definition of communication, elements of the communication process, means of communication and

identify the characteristics of effective verbal communication.

2. Describe factors that facilitate and interfere with effective communication.

3. Describe techniques that facilitate and interfere with communication.

4. Define ways to respond therapeutically.

5. Identify non-therapeutic response.

6. Discuss the legal aspects of documentation.

Unit III: PROFESSIONAL NURSING SKILLS (VITAL SIGNS):

In this unit students will learn the relationship between temperature, blood pressure and respiratory
functions of the body and how these skills can be assessed. At the completion of this unit students will be
able to:

1. Define Vital Signs.

2. Define terms related to vital sign.

3. Describe the physiological concept of temperature, respiration and blood pressure.

4. Describe the principles and mechanisms for normal thermoregulation in the body.

5. Identify ways that affect heat production and heat loss in the body

6. Define types of body temperature according to its characteristics.

7. Identify the sign and symptoms of fever.

8. Discuss the normal ranges for temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.

9. List the factors affecting temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure.

10. Describe the characteristics of pulse and respiration.

11. List factors responsible for maintaining normal blood pressure.

12. Describe various methods and sites used to measure T.P & B.P.

Unit IV NURSING PROCESS:

In this unit students will be introduced to the application of the nursing process in professional nursing
practice. At the completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Define nursing process.

2. Describe the purposes of nursing process.

3. Identify the components of the nursing process

Nursing Assessment
Nursing Diagnosis
Outcome Identification and Planning
Implementation and evaluation
Communication of the Nursing Process: Documenting and Reporting

4. Describe the purposes of the client record

5.List the principles of charting

6.Discuss the guidelines of documentation.

7.Discuss the importance of confidentiality in the documenting and reporting.

Unit V PROCESS OF HOSPITALIZATION:

In this unit students will explore and gain experience in admitting, transferring and discharging patients
and will explore reaction of individuals to hospitalization. At the completion of this unit students will be
able to:

1. Define the term admission, transfer and discharge.

2.Discuss the procedures for: Admitting a patient to a hospital unit Transferring a patient from one
hospital unit to another unit or to another hospital. Discharging a patient from the hospital. Identify
nurse’s responsibility during admission, transfer and discharge.

3.Discuss nurse’s role in preparing patients and family for discharge.

4.Discuss the normal reactions of patients being hospitalized.

Unit VI NURSING HISTORY:

1. Discuss the historical development of the nursing profession.

2. Discuss the life of Florence Nightingale.

3. Describe Nightingale’s role in development of Nursing.

4. State contributions of nursing leaders.

5. Describe the nursing-related functions of I.R.C.S.

6. Describe the functions of International Council of Nurses.

7. Identify scientific/ technological changes influencing nursing progress in the 20th and 21stcentury.

9. Discuss the past, present, and future of Nursing.

10. Relate own role to nursing leaders of 18th and 19th Century.

11. Explain nursing developments in Pakistan.

12. Describe the functions of the Pakistan Nursing Council

13. Describe the role of Provincial Nurses Examination Boards.

14. Introduce main functions of the Pakistan Nurse’s Federation.

Unit VII ASEPSIS AND INFECTION CONTROL:

At the end of the session students will be able to:

1. Identify the six components of chain of infection.

2. Explain examples of ways that infection may occur

3. Describe factors that increase the risk of infection in various settings.

4. Discuss the role of health care personnel and health agencies in infection control.

5. Explain ways that caregivers can decrease the exposure of clients to infection

6. Differentiate between medical and surgical asepsis.

Unit VIII OXYGENATION:

By the end of the unit students will be able to

1. Identify factors that can interfere with effective oxygenation of body tissues.

2. Describe common manifestations of altered respiratory and cardiovascular function.

3. Describe nursing measures to ensure a patient airway.

UNIT I X PAIN MANAGEMENT:

By the end of the unit students will be able to:

1. Define acute and chronic pain

2. Describe types of Pain Management

UNIT X SKIN MANAGEMENT:

By the end of the unit students will be able to:

1. Define Pressure Ulcers

2.List the factors affecting skin integrity

3.List the sign and symptoms of Pressure Ulcer

4. Discuss the preventing measures of pressure ulcers

5.Describe the Nursing management of pressure ulcers

UNIT XI: CONCEPT OF LOSS & GRIEVING AND DEATH AND DYING

At the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

1. Assess the physiologic signs of death.

2. Discuss the various ways of helping the dying patient meet his / her physiological, spiritual and
emotional needs.

3. Discuss nursing care of the body after death.

4. List changes that occur in the body after death.

5. Define terms related to loss and grieving.

6. Identify common manifestations of grief

UNIT XII FIRST AID

In this unit the students will review the concepts of first aid management of

1. Wound

2. hemorrhage

3. Burn

4. Shock

5. Poisoning
6. Unconsciousness

7. Fainting

8. Seizures/epilepsy

9. Injury of bones and joints.

10. Define different types of foreign bodies’ aspiration.

11. Discuss first aid management of removal of foreign bodies.

Nursing Ethics

UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO NURSING ETHICS:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define the terms: ethics, nursing ethics and bio-ethics, value, belief, morals, attitude, conflict, dilemma,
ethical dilemma

2. Discuss importance of ethics in nursing

3. Review criteria of a profession

4. Develop Characteristics of a Professional Nurse

UNIT II ETHICAL PRINCIPLES:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define ethical principles in health care

2. Discuss the ethical dilemmas face by nurses and client.

3. Discuss the strategies to resolve ethical dilemma in daily nursing practice.

4. List steps of ethical decision-making

UNIT III CONFIDENTIALITY AND INFORMED CONSENT:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define confidentiality and informed consent

2. Discuss the importance of confidentiality & consent

3. Discuss the process informed consent.

4. Discuss nurse’s roles and responsibilities in consent process

UNIT IV BILLS OF RIGHTS:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define rights & bills of right.

2. Describe the role of nurse in relation to bills of right.

3. Explain patient’s bills of right in a tertiary care health facility.

UNIT V CODE OF ETHICS:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define code & code of ethics.

2. List the function & elements of ethical code

3. Explain code of ethics by ICN and Pakistan Nursing Council

Microbiology

Unit I: INTRODUCTION TO MICROBIOLOGY

In this unit student will be introduced to Microbiology and its importance in nursing practice student will
also be introduced with microbes and their types. At the completion of this unit student will be able to:

Define microbiology.
Explain the importance of microbiology in nursing practice
List some basic properties of virus
List basic nutritional requirements of microorganisms
Classify bacteria on the bases of their nutritional requirement.

Unit II: CONTROL OF MICROORGANISMS

In this unit student will explore different physical and chemical methods to control the microbial growth.
They will also discuss some therapeutic uses of chemicals. At the completion of this unit student will be
able to:

Explain importance of the control of microbial growth.

Describe some physical and chemical methods to control microbial growth
Define the terms i.e. sterilization, antiseptic, asepsis, aseptic, macrobiotic, microbiocidal, antibiotic
etc.
Differentiate between broad spectrum and narrow spectrum antibiotics.

Unit III: DEFENSE MECHANISMS OF THE BODY

This unit focuses on the resistance of the body which microorganism’s encounter where they enter in the
human body. This unit highlights the importance of the resistance or defense of the body which will help
students in understanding that why infection occurs some times and not always. At the completion of this
unit student will be able to:

Explain the role of good health in protection against the microbial infection.
Explain four types of acquired immunity.
Differentiate between humoral and cell mediated immunity.
Define antigens, happen and antibodies.
List the five classes of antibodies and their functions.
Define Hypersensitivity.

Unit IV: HUMAN AND MICROBIAL INTERACTION

In this unit student will learn about the beneficial and harmful role of microorganisms. They will also
learn about some diseases caused by these microorganisms. At the completion of this unit student will be
able to:

Define normal flora of the body.

Differentiate between resident and transient normal flora.
List at least three beneficial role of normal flora.
Define nosocomial infections.
List at least three measures to control nosocomial infections.

Unit V: MICROBIOLOGY IN EVERY DAY LIFE

In this unit student will study about how microorganisms affect our environment i.e. air water, food. At
the completion of this unit student will be able to:

Describe how microorganisms affects environment i.e. air, water and food.
List some safety measures to control water and food borne diseases.
Differentiate between food infection and food poisoning.

Anatomy and Physiology

Unit I INTRODUCTION TO THE BODY AS A WHOLE:

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Define the term A&P

2. Understand the relationship between A&P

3. Define level of organization of the body

4. Define anatomical position

5. Describe the various body planes

6. Define the body cavities

7. Discuss body cavities and list the organs lying within each cavity

8. Identify abdominal pelvic region & quadrant

9. Identify the organs present in Nine (9) abdomino pelvic regions.

10. Briefly discuss the importance of abdomino pelvic quadrants and regions

Unit II HOMEOSTASIS & ADAPTATION:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define the term homeostasis

2. Discuss the factors which effect homeostasis

3. Define feedback mechanism and its components.

Unit III CELL, TISSUES & MEMBRANES:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and functions of a cell

2. Discuss the process of cell division i.e. mitosis and meiosis.

3. Classify the tissues of the body on the basis of structure, location and function into the following four
major types.

Epithelial tissue
Connective tissue
Muscle tissue
Nervous tissue

Unit IV THE SKELETAL SYSTEM:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define skeletal system

2. Discuss the structure, types and functions of bone

3. List the functions of the skeletal system

4. Identify the bones of axial & appendicular skeleton

5. Describe the various markings on the surface of bones

Unit V THE JOINTS:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define the term joint.

2. Describe three types of joints

Fibrous
Cartilaginous
Synovial

3. Describe the common characteristic features of a synovial joint.

Unit VI THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM:

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Define Muscle and list the types of Muscles.

2. Describe the location and function of major muscles of:

The neck
The face
The back
The arms
The legs

Unit VII INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM (SKIN, NAIL & HAIR):

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Describe the structure of two layers of skin

Epidermis
Dermis

2. Briefly discuss the structure & function of skin derivatives.

Sweat gland
Sebaceous gland
Hair
Nail

3. Briefly discuss the following functions of skin

Protection
Regulation of body temperature
Sensation
Absorption
Excretion

Unit VIII THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define blood and list its functions

2. Describe the composition, and functions of cellular parts of blood and plasma.

3. Briefly explain the ABO blood groups & Rh factor.

4. Describe the location, structure and functions of the heart and its great blood vessels.

5. Explain the structure and function of:

Arteries
Veins
Capillaries

6. Describe the following types of blood circulation:

Pulmonary circulation
Systemic circulation (coronary & hepatic portal circulation)

Unit IX THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM:

At the completion of this unit, student will be able to:

1. Define lymph & the lymphatic system

2. Identify the organs of lymphatic system

3. Describe the general functions of the lymphatic system

4. Describe how lymph is formed 5. Describe the lymph vessels & how lymph is returned to the blood
vessels

Unit X THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:

At the completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. define the digestive system and list its functions

2. Identify the various organs of digestive system

3. Describe the anatomy & physiology of digestive organs

4. Discuss the role of accessory organs in digestion

5. Discuss digestion of food

6. Discuss the absorption of nutrients in the digestive system

7. Discuss the process of defecation

Unit XI URINARY SYSTEM:

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

1. Define the Urinary System

2. List the organs of Urinary system

3. Discuss kidneys in terms of external anatomy, Location & gross structure

4. Discuss the structure and functions of Ureters, Urinary bladder, Urethra

Unit XII NERVOUS SYSTEM:

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

1. Define Nervous system

2. Briefly discuss organization of Nervous system

3. Describe the structure and function of Neuron

4. Define nerve & its types

5. Identify the principle parts of the brain with their functions

Unit XIII SPECIAL SENSES:

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and function of Ear

2. Describe the physiology of hearing and Balance.

3. Describe the structure and function of Eye.

4. Describe the physiology of sense of sight

Unit XIV ENDOCRINE SYSTEM:

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

1. Define Endocrine system

2. Identify Endocrine glands present in the body

3. Briefly discuss the hormones& their functions of endocrine glands

Unit XV REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

1. Define Reproduction

2. Define Reproductive System.

3. List the structure &functions of male & female reproductive system

Unit XVI Respiratory System

At the end of this unit learners will be able to:

1. Define respiration

2. Define respiratory system

3. Discuss the structure & function of all respiratory organs

4. Discuss the mechanism of breathing

5. Explain the type of respiration