Includes Bibliographic References and Index.

Nursing and the health care system -- Concepts of health, illness, stress, and health promotion -- Legal and ethical aspects of nursing -- The nursing process and critical thinking -- Assessment, nursing diagnosis, and planning -- Implementation and evaluation -- Documentation of nursing care -- Communication and the nurse-patient relationship -- Patient teaching and health promotion -- Delegation, leadership, and management -- Growth and development: infancy through adolescence -- Adulthood and the family -- Promoting healthy adaptation to aging -- Cultural and spiritual aspects of patient care -- Loss, grief, and the dying patient -- Infection prevention and control: protective mechanisms and asepsis -- Infection prevention and control in the hospital and home -- Lifting, moving, and positioning patients -- Assisting with hygiene, personal care, skin care, and the prevention of pressure ulcers -- Patient environment and safety -- Measuring vital signs -- Assessing health status -- Admitting, transferring, and discharging patients -- Diagnostic tests and specimen collection -- Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance -- Concepts of basic nutrition and cultural considerations -- Diet therapy and assisted feeding -- Assisting with respiration and oxygen delivery -- Promoting urinary elimination -- Promoting bowel elimination -- Pain, comfort, and sleep -- Complementary and alternative therapies -- Pharmacology and preparation for drug administration -- Administering oral, topical, and inhalant medications -- Administering intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections -- Administering intravenous solutions and medications -- Care of the surgical patient -- Providing wound care and treating pressure ulcers -- Promoting musculoskeletal function -- Common physical care problems of the elderly -- Common psychosocial care problems of the elderly.