Fundamentals of Nursing Study Material PDF Download Free 2025

Fundamentals of Nursing Study Material: Nursing fundamentals serve as the foundation of nursing practice, consisting of the essential knowledge, skills, and ethical principles needed to provide safe and effective patient care. These fundamentals guide nurses in providing holistic, patient-centered care while maintaining professional standards and ethical responsibilities.

Fundamentals of Nursing Study Material

Nursing fundamentals cover a wide range of topics, including the nursing process (ADPIE), basic patient care, infection control, communication skills, patient safety, and legal and ethical considerations. These fundamentals ensure that nurses can assess patient needs, implement appropriate interventions, and evaluate patient outcomes to promote health and well-being. By mastering these fundamentals, nurses develop the ability to think critically, make informed clinical decisions, and provide compassionate care in a variety of healthcare settings.

A strong understanding of these principles is vital in providing high-quality healthcare for both nursing students and practicing professionals.

Definition of Fundamentals of Nursing

Fundamentals of nursing refer to the basic principles, skills, and concepts that form the foundation of nursing practice. It includes essential nursing knowledge, patient care techniques, ethical considerations, and clinical decision-making skills needed to provide safe, effective, and holistic healthcare.

It includes key areas such as the nursing process (ADPIE), patient safety, infection control, communication, medication administration, and ethical responsibilities. These principles guide nurses in providing high-quality, evidence-based, and compassionate care to patients in various healthcare settings.

Key Topics in Fundamentals of Nursing

The Fundamentals of Nursing include essential concepts that form the foundation for professional nursing practice. Below are the key topics:

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1. Nursing Process (ADPIE)

• Assessment: Collecting patient data (subjective & objective)
• Diagnosis: Identifying health problems
• Planning: Setting patient-centered goals
• Implementation: Carrying out nursing interventions
• Evaluation: Assessing effectiveness of care

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2. Basic Nursing Skills

• Vital Signs: Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure, O2 Saturation
• Hand Hygiene & Infection Control
• Bedside Care: Bathing, Oral Care, Bed-making
• Wound Care & Dressing Changes
• Patient Positioning & Mobility (Preventing Pressure Ulcers)

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3. Patient Safety & Infection Control

• Standard Precautions & PPE Use
• Aseptic & Sterile Techniques
• Fall Prevention & Patient Safety Measures
• Emergency Codes & Disaster Management

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4. Medication Administration

• 6 Rights of Medication Administration: Right Patient, Drug, Dose, Route, Time, Documentation
• Drug Classifications & Common Medications
• Intravenous (IV) Therapy & Fluid Balance
• Dosage Calculations & Medication Errors

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5. Pain Management & Comfort Care

• Pain Assessment (PQRST Method)
• Pharmacological & Non-Pharmacological Pain Relief
• End-of-Life Care & Palliative Nursing

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6. Communication & Documentation

• Therapeutic Communication Techniques
• SBAR Communication (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation)
• Legal Aspects of Documentation & Patient Records (HIPAA Compliance)

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7. Patient Education & Health Promotion

• Teaching Patients About Medications & Lifestyle Changes
• Nutrition & Diet Therapy
• Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Strategies

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8. Ethical & Legal Considerations in Nursing

• Patient Rights & Confidentiality
• Informed Consent & Advanced Directives
• Nursing Code of Ethics (Autonomy, Beneficence, Nonmaleficence, Justice, Fidelity)

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9. Cultural & Holistic Nursing Care

• Culturally Competent Care
• Spiritual & Emotional Support for Patients
• Holistic Health Approaches (Alternative & Complementary Medicine)

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Fundamentals of Nursing – 1st Year (GNM & B.Sc Nursing)

The 1st year of nursing focuses on developing foundational skills, knowledge, and professional values necessary for patient care. It includes theoretical concepts, practical skills, and clinical exposure.

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Key Subjects in 1st Year Nursing

1. Fundamentals of Nursing

• Definition, History, and Scope of Nursing
• Roles & Responsibilities of a Nurse
• Nursing Theories & Models
• Nursing Process (ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation)
• Communication in Nursing (Therapeutic Communication)
• Documentation & Patient Records

2. Anatomy & Physiology

• Basic Structure & Functions of the Human Body
• Major Systems: Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Musculoskeletal, Urinary, Endocrine, Reproductive
• Homeostasis & Fluid-Electrolyte Balance

3. Microbiology & Infection Control

• Introduction to Microorganisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Fungi)
• Sterilization & Disinfection
• Immunity & Vaccination
• Infection Control Measures & PPE Use

4. Nutrition & Dietetics

• Importance of Balanced Diet
• Nutrients: Proteins, Carbohydrates, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals
• Diet for Different Conditions (Diabetes, Hypertension, Malnutrition)
• Feeding Techniques (Oral, Enteral, Parenteral Nutrition)

5. First Aid & Emergency Nursing

• Basic Life Support (BLS) & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Wound Care & Bandaging
• Fracture & Bleeding Management
• Poisoning, Burns, & Shock Management

6. Community Health Nursing (CHN)

• Concept of Health & Disease
• Primary Healthcare & Health Promotion
• Environmental Sanitation & Waste Disposal
• Immunization Schedule & Communicable Disease Control

7. Psychology & Sociology

• Human Behavior & Development
• Stress & Coping Mechanisms
• Social Factors Affecting Health
• Role of Family & Society in Healthcare

8. Professional Ethics & Nursing Laws

• Nurse-Patient Relationship & Ethical Principles
• Patient Rights & Confidentiality (HIPAA)
• Legal Aspects: Negligence, Malpractice, Informed Consent

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Practical Skills & Clinical Training

• Hand Hygiene & Infection Control Practices
• Patient Care (Bed-making, Bathing, Oral Care)
• Vital Signs Monitoring (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood Pressure)
• Administration of Oral, IV, and IM Medications
• Oxygen Therapy & Nebulization
• Assisting in Wound Dressing & Catheterization

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Definition, History and Scope of Nursing

1. Definition of Nursing

Nursing is a science and art that focuses on providing holistic care to individuals, families, and communities to maintain, restore, or improve health and well-being. It includes promoting health, preventing disease, and caring for the sick, disabled, and dying in a compassionate, evidence-based manner.

According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) (2015):

Nursing is the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, the prevention of illness and injury, the facilitation of healing, the alleviation of suffering through diagnosis and treatment, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.

According to Florence Nightingale (1860):

Nursing is the act of using the patient’s environment to assist them in their recovery.

2. History of Nursing

Nursing has evolved over the centuries from traditional caregiving roles into a professional discipline supported by science and research.

Ancient nursing (prehistoric to 4th century AD)

• Nursing was informal and mostly performed by family members, priests, and caregivers.
• Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations had healing practices, often linked to religious beliefs.

Medieval nursing (5th to 15th centuries)

• Nursing care was provided by monks and nuns in monasteries and churches.
• The Crusades led to the establishment of military hospitals and organized nursing care.
• Renaissance and early modern nursing (16th to 18th centuries)
• The decline of monastic care led to poor conditions in hospitals.
• Nurses were often untrained and hospitals were unhygienic.

Nightingale era (19th century)

• Florence Nightingale (1820–1910), the founder of modern nursing, revolutionized nursing with hygiene and patient-centered care.
• Established the first formal nursing school (St. Thomas’s Hospital, London, 1860).
• Improved hygiene in hospitals, decreased mortality.

20th and 21st Century Nursing

 

Nursing became a scientific profession with formal education, training, and licensing.

Advances in medical technology, research, and specialization (ICU nursing, pediatric nursing, etc.). Introduction of nursing theories (e.g., Orem’s self-care theory, Peplau’s interpersonal theory).

Expansion into global health, telemedicine, and evidence-based practice.

3. Scope of Nursing

 

The scope of nursing is broad, encompassing a variety of roles, specializations, and settings.

1. Levels of Nursing Practice Registered Nurse (RN):

Provides direct patient care, administers medications, and coordinates treatment plans.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Vocational Nurse (LVN): Works under RN, assists with basic nursing tasks.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN):

Specialize in areas such as nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and nurse midwife (CNM).

Nurse Educator and Researcher:

Train future nurses and conduct nursing research.

2. Areas of Nursing Specialization

• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Pediatric Nursing (Children)
• Geriatric Nursing (Elderly Care)
• Maternal and Obstetric Nursing (Pregnancy and Childbirth)
• Critical Care Nursing (ICU, Emergency)
• Community and Public Health Nursing
• Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing

3. Healthcare Settings for Nurses

• Hospitals and Clinics (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Care)
• Community Health Centres and Home Care
• Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Centres
• Schools, Industries and Workplaces (Occupational Health Nursing)
• Research Institutes and Universities

4. Nurse Roles and Responsibilities

• Caregiver: Provide physical, emotional and psychological care to patients.
• Advocate: Ensure patient rights and ethical care.
• Educator: Teach patients and families about health and disease prevention.
• Leader and Manager: Oversee healthcare teams and ensure quality care. Researcher: Conducting studies to improve nursing practices.

 

Vital Signs in Fundamentals of Nursing

Vital signs are essential physiological indicators that reflect the body’s basic functions. They are used to assess a patient’s health status, detect abnormalities, and monitor response to treatment.

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1. What Are the Vital Signs?

The four primary vital signs are:

1. Temperature (T)
2. Pulse (Heart Rate) (P)
3. Respiration Rate (R)
4. Blood Pressure (BP)

🔹 Additional vital signs often monitored include:
5. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
6. Pain Level (Considered the “5th Vital Sign”)

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2. Normal Ranges of Vital Signs

Vital Sign	Normal Range (Adults)
Temperature	97.8°F – 99.1°F (36.5°C – 37.3°C)
Pulse Rate	60 – 100 beats per minute (bpm)
Respiratory Rate	12 – 20 breaths per minute
Blood Pressure	90/60 mmHg – 120/80 mmHg
Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)	95% – 100%
Pain Level (0-10 scale)	Subjective to the patient

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3. Detailed Explanation of Each Vital Sign

1. Body Temperature 🌡️

Definition: The body’s ability to generate and lose heat to maintain homeostasis.

✅ Methods of Measurement:

• Oral: Under the tongue (most common)
• Rectal: Most accurate but invasive
• Axillary: Underarm (less accurate)
• Tympanic: Ear (measures core temperature)
• Temporal: Forehead (infrared scanner)

✅ Causes of Abnormal Temperature:

• Fever (Pyrexia) > 100.4°F (38°C): Infection, inflammation, heatstroke
• Hypothermia < 95°F (35°C): Cold exposure, shock, metabolic disorders

2. Pulse (Heart Rate) ❤️

Definition: The number of heartbeats per minute (bpm). It reflects heart function and circulation.

✅ Common Pulse Sites:

• Radial (Wrist) – Most common
• Carotid (Neck) – Used in emergencies
• Apical (Chest, over the heart) – For infants and irregular pulses
• Brachial (Arm), Femoral (Groin), Popliteal (Behind knee), Dorsalis Pedis (Foot)

✅ Pulse Rate Abnormalities:

• Tachycardia (>100 bpm): Fever, dehydration, anxiety, heart disease
• Bradycardia (<60 bpm): Hypothermia, medications, athlete’s heart

✅ Pulse Characteristics to Assess:

• Rate: Fast or slow?
• Rhythm: Regular or irregular?
• Strength (Amplitude): Weak, normal, or strong?

3. Respiratory Rate 🌬️

Definition: The number of breaths per minute, indicating lung function and oxygenation.

✅ Normal Breathing Pattern:

• Eupnea: Normal breathing (12-20 breaths/min)
• Tachypnea: Fast breathing (>20 breaths/min)
• Bradypnea: Slow breathing (<12 breaths/min)
• Dyspnea: Difficulty breathing
• Apnea: No breathing (medical emergency)

✅ Factors Affecting Respiratory Rate:

• Exercise, pain, anxiety, fever (↑ rate)
• Neurological conditions, narcotics, hypothermia (↓ rate)

4. Blood Pressure (BP) 🩸

Definition: The force of blood against artery walls, measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury).

✅ Types of Blood Pressure Readings:

• Systolic Pressure: Pressure during heart contraction (top number)
• Diastolic Pressure: Pressure when heart relaxes (bottom number)

✅ Blood Pressure Categories (Adults):

Category	Systolic (mmHg)	Diastolic (mmHg)
Normal	<120	<80
Elevated	120-129	<80
Hypertension Stage 1	130-139	80-89
Hypertension Stage 2	≥140	≥90
Hypotension	<90	<60

✅ Common BP Abnormalities:

• Hypertension (High BP): Stress, obesity, kidney disease, high sodium intake
• Hypotension (Low BP): Shock, dehydration, bleeding, heart failure

✅ Measuring BP:

• Use sphygmomanometer (manual or digital)
• Cuff should fit properly (too small = false high reading, too large = false low reading)

5. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) 🫁

Definition: The percentage of oxygen carried by hemoglobin in the blood, measured by a pulse oximeter.

✅ Normal Levels: 95% – 100%
✅ Low Oxygen (Hypoxia <90%) Causes:

• Lung disease (COPD, asthma)
• Anemia, poor circulation
• High altitude

6. Pain Assessment (5th Vital Sign) 🔥

Pain is subjective and measured using pain scales like:

• Numeric Scale (0-10) → 0 = No pain, 10 = Worst pain
• Wong-Baker Faces Scale (for children)
• PQRST Pain Assessment:
  • P: Provocation (What causes it?)
  • Q: Quality (Sharp, dull, burning?)
  • R: Region (Where?)
  • S: Severity (Scale 1-10)
  • T: Timing (Constant or intermittent?)

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4. Importance of Monitoring Vital Signs

✅ Detect early signs of illness or deterioration
✅ Guide clinical decision-making
✅ Evaluate response to treatment
✅ Ensure patient safety