Fundamentals of Nursing and Nursing Process
The nursing process is the backbone of every question in this domain: Assessment, Diagnosis, Analysis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation (ADPIE). Candidates must distinguish subjective data (what the patient reports) from objective data (what you observe or measure), and must recognise that a nursing diagnosis describes a human response, not a medical disease. Maslow's hierarchy and ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) guide prioritisation: physiologic needs before safety, safety before psychosocial. Know the stages of the helping relationship, therapeutic communication techniques (open-ended questions, reflection, silence) versus non-therapeutic ones (false reassurance, giving advice, changing the subject).
Traps
- Choosing an intervention before completing assessment. Questions that ask "first" usually reward assessment or safety.
- Confusing goal (patient-centred, measurable, time-bound) with intervention.
- Selecting the medically correct answer over the nursing-appropriate one.
- Forgetting evaluation: if the outcome is unmet, the plan is revised, not abandoned.
Rule of thumb
When unsure of priority, ask: Is the airway threatened? Is the patient safe? Is this assessment or intervention? The earliest safe step wins. For a patient who is confused and attempting to climb out of bed, the first action is to stay with and protect the patient (safety), not to document or call the family.
Vital-sign interpretation, intake/output, positioning, asepsis and documentation standards are frequently tested as fundamentals. Remember: if it was not documented, it was not done - but documentation never precedes immediate safety interventions.